Parliament here we come!- 30/11/15 - Manchester City of Sanctuary

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Hi all

We hope this finds you well amidst winter’s imminent arrival and still feeling able to give and receive warm welcomes.

Please find below upcoming activities, events and opportunities to get involved.

Wishing you all well, David, Jane, Omer, Anita, Faye, Charles, Maryam, Jila, Dianne and all at City of Sanctuary

1. Sanctuary in Parliament TOMORROW, 1st December

This is your last chance to invite your MP to come to Sanctuary in Parliament tomorrow, from 12-4 in Committee room 14. Tweet or email them using www . writetothem . com to encourage them to hear real refugee testimony about the realities behind the stereotypes.

Its particularly important they come as tomorrow the new immigration bill is being debated so it is of prime importance MPs realise the effect of legislation on the most vulnerable.

2. twixmas -30th December

Our Twixmas party is on the horizon!

The local Ceilidh Band members are busy signing up to come. When: Wednesday 30th December 6-9pm. Where: Community Transformation Resource Center, Richmond House, 11 Richmond Grove, Manchester M13 0LN, United Kingdom

Who would you like to invite? A neighbour? Another sanctuary seeker? Tickets from any of the Steering Group at the next Conversation Club.

All are welcome!

Also, are you available to help wrap presents? If so, contact Jane at[email protected]

3. Are you a music teacher?

Many of our members have asked if any music lessons are available. Are you a music teacher, who could offer an hour or two of free tuition on a weekly/bi-weekly basis?

If so, please contact Jane using ‘I can teach Music’ at[email protected]

Thank you!

4. Want to ride a bike?

We have a few people interested in bike maintenance classes, in which you will be able to ride away on the bike you fix up. Are you interested in attending a four week course? If so, please write to Jane using the subject: Bike Maintenance [email protected]

5. Next Conversation Club, 17th December, 6-8pm, Cross Street Chapel, M2 1NL

Next Conversation Club: 17th Dec 6-8pm at Cross Street Chapel, City Centre.

Why not come along and bring a friend? Conversation Clubs are fantastic, informal places to show solidarity, have fun and share food with people from all over the world. Song, poetry, dance and joy tend to be in abundance, so come along.

6. Suggestions for booklet: ‘for Asylum Seekers by asylum seekers’

We are in the process of making a booklet: ‘Everything you need to know’, for asylum seekers by asylum seekers.

If you have tips and advice you would like to pass on to any new Sanctuary Seeker then please email
jane@manchester.cityofsanctuary.org with any ideas.

7. Agenda items?

Our Steering group is meeting next week: is there anything you’d like us to discuss? If so, email Jane with the title ‘agenda item’

jane@manchester.cityofsanctuary.org

8. Shopping Buddies and the Azure Card

Shopping Buddy’s wanted! Do you do your weekly shop regularly in the big supermarkets?

Would you be willing to shop With an Asylum Seeker with only an Azure Card to survive on? Many asylum seekers have to live on £36.95 a week which is put on a card which they cannot convert into cash. They have to shop at specific, large supermarkets, and cannot save the money from one week to another. This means they cannot buy winter coats, shoes or train tickets if they need to travel for appointments with lawyers or the UKBA.

Contact Jane if you would be able to volunteer in this simple way to give an Asylum Seeker ready cash in exchange for your weekly shop to be able to buy a bus ticket, use charity shops or shop at ethnic food shops.

9. Come Carol Singing, Sunday 12th December

Would you like a chance to try Carol Singing (a British tradition)? There’s a group practising carols to sing for shoppers at Longsight Asda on Dec 19th 1pm. The Practise session is on Sunday 13th 12.30-2pm at

Church of the Nazarene, Tollgate Close, Longsight M13 9LU

Contact Jane for more details.