Our aims and values - Manchester City of Sanctuary

Our Aims

Through our activities and partnerships with other organisations, Manchester City of
Sanctuary is committed to:

Building a culture of welcome in Manchester for refugees and people seeking asylum
(sanctuary seekers) by developing positive everyday connections between them and
local people.
Advancing public education about issues relating to sanctuary seekers and to dispel
misconceptions about the UK’s international legal and ethical obligations to protect
people fleeing from war, violence and persecution in their countries of origin.
Providing or assisting in the provision of activities that promote equality and diversity,
facilitate understanding between people of diverse backgrounds and nationalities,
and that support the health, wellbeing and social inclusion of sanctuary seekers in
Manchester.
Helping develop welcoming and supportive civic spaces in Manchester, where
sanctuary seekers may participate as equal citizens, access public services and
participate in the social and cultural life of our city, irrespective of immigration status.
Through these activities we seek to promote progressive and transformational
change in wider social attitudes towards refugees and people seeking asylum, and
the empowerment of sanctuary seekers by embedding them in networks of
friendship, social solidarity and mutual support.

Our Values

Connection: valuing the power of personal connection as a way of understanding and promoting empathy
Acceptance: seeing people are they are, without question and without judgement
Collaboration: working together to create deeper and lasting impact across the sector and with public bodies
Empowerment: working towards sanctuary seekers becoming protagonists of their own futures
Dignity: recognising the humanity of all people