Quaker Sanctuary Meetings in Scotland, Wales and England

Rooted in the conviction that there is that of God in every person, Quakers across Britain are working to welcome people seeking sanctuary.

Hundreds of Quakers around Britain have responded to the migration crisis by acting in solidarity with refugees and migrants. Quakers in Britain as an organisation now provides funding, guidance and political advocacy support to a network of Quaker local meetings who pledge to create a culture of welcome in their communities.

Get involved

• What is a Sanctuary Meeting?
• Become a Sanctuary Meeting
• Useful resources

RESOURCE

Toolkit for action: Owning power and privilege

Download our guide to developing an inclusive and sustainable dynamic within your meeting.

What is a Sanctuary Meeting?

A Sanctuary Meeting is a Quaker Meeting that is committed to:

1. Joining local initiatives to build a culture of welcome
2. Building alliances with groups opposing racism
3. Working with others to change the laws on destitution, detention, deportations and removals.

How a Sanctuary Meeting fulfills the commitments changes from area to area. Actions taken will vary in response to local issues, abilities and passions within the community, and the leadings of the Spirit. Here are some of the things that Sanctuary Meetings are supported to do:

• Building alliances with migrant or BAME-led anti-racist groups in your area, including by offering room grants.
• Holding at least one public meeting a year with other local groups, especially people with direct experience of being discriminated against by the border system.
• Lobbying local politicians. Use our Sanctuary Everywhere Manifesto to inform your demands.
• Offering accompaniment to people seeking sanctuary in negotiating 'everyday borders' such as healthcare and the education system
• Assisting campaigns that use direct action to resist deportation.

What are Quakers doing already?

Quakers across Britain are working in different ways to welcome newcomers to the country. You can read stories about Quakers providing housing for destitute asylum seekers , supporting and setting up City of Sanctuary groups, welcoming resettled refugees, hosting community gardening projects, and campaigning with the Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network.

Watch the video below to get a quick overview of the work Sanctuary Meetings, individual Quakers and and Quaker Peace & Social Witness staff are doing to support refugees and migrants.

20 Simple Acts: Quakers in Britain #refugeeweek from Quakers in Britain on Vimeo.

There are now more than 80 Sanctuary Meetings in Scotland, Wales and England, and we can support all who choose to join them in this committment to creating sanctuary everywhere.