The Borough of Sanctuary Fund, which was officially launched last year, provides grants of up to £10,000 to voluntary and community sector organisations
Wandsworth, a borough in southwest London, has recently announced the establishment of a special fund aimed at supporting community and voluntary groups in their efforts to help refugees and asylum seekers build new lives within the borough. This initiative is part of Wandsworth’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents.
The Borough of Sanctuary Fund, which was officially launched last year, provides grants of up to £10,000 to voluntary and community sector organisations. These grants are designed to either launch new projects or develop and expand existing ones that focus on supporting refugees and asylum seekers. The fund is particularly interested in projects that include events during June’s Refugee Week, with this year’s theme being “Community as a Superpower.”
Wandsworth was awarded Borough of Sanctuary status last year by City of Sanctuary UK, in recognition of its extensive work in this area. The borough has a long history of welcoming refugees and has built strong partnerships with local groups. These partnerships have been instrumental in drawing up and delivering the Wandsworth Sanctuary Strategy, which aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all residents.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Wandsworth has been at the forefront of providing support to Ukrainian refugees. The borough has found homes for approximately 1,200 Ukrainian refugees, one of the highest figures in London. This significant effort underscores Wandsworth’s commitment to providing sanctuary and support to those in need.
One of the recipients of the last round of funding was The Home Community Café. The café received a grant to run a project offering women volunteering sessions to develop experience in hospitality, catering, and management skills, as well as wellbeing sessions. The project, which has been running since September, has already made a significant impact.
Meg Fry, the project manager at The Home Community Café, said, “Strong bonds have been made and we’ve been able to build trust. The project is increasing our participants’ confidence, use of spoken English, learning of new skills, and fostering connection and relationships. As a team, it has brought so much to us already!”
“Strong bonds have been made, and we’ve built trust. The project increases our participants’ confidence, uses spoken English, learns new skills, and fosters connections and relationships. As a team, it has brought so much to us already!”
Meg Fry, the project manager at The Home Community Café
The Borough of Sanctuary Fund is a testament to Wandsworth’s dedication to supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Deputy Council Leader Kemi Akinola expressed the council’s pride in their status as a Borough of Sanctuary. “At a time when the world is looking more uncertain than ever, we are proud of our status as a Borough of Sanctuary,” Akinola said. “Our voluntary and community sector is vital in helping us support refugees and asylum seekers, and the Fund is intended to enable that work to continue and develop. By working together, we can create a borough we are all proud to call home.”
The Borough of Sanctuary Fund is currently accepting applications for the next round of grants. Interested organisations are encouraged to submit their proposals, highlighting how they plan to support refugees and asylum seekers within the borough. The fund aims to continue fostering a sense of community and support, ensuring that Wandsworth remains a welcoming and inclusive place for all.
For more information on how to apply for the Borough of Sanctuary Fund, interested organisations are advised to visit the Wandsworth Council website or contact the council directly. The deadline for applications is yet to be announced, but the council encourages early submissions to ensure all proposals can be thoroughly reviewed.
Wandsworth’s commitment to supporting refugees and asylum seekers is a shining example of how local communities can come together to make a significant difference. Through the Borough of Sanctuary Fund, Wandsworth is not only providing essential support but also fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit.
