Borough of Sanctuary Fund announced by Wandsworth
Wandsworth Council has announced the opening of the Borough of Sanctuary Fund, offering grants of up to £10,000 to community and voluntary organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers. The fund aims to help these groups develop and expand projects that support individuals in building new lives in the borough.
The fund is particularly keen to receive applications for events during Refugee Week this June, which this year is focused on the theme “Community as a Superpower.” This theme highlights the strength that comes from working together, a value that is central to Wandsworth’s ongoing efforts to support refugees and asylum seekers.
Last year, Wandsworth was officially awarded Borough of Sanctuary status by City of Sanctuary UK in recognition of the borough’s commitment to welcoming refugees. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Wandsworth has taken in approximately 1,200 Ukrainian refugees, one of the highest numbers in London. This reflects the borough’s long-standing history of providing safe and welcoming spaces for those in need.
Among the organisations benefiting from the last round of funding was The Home Community Café, which received support for a project offering volunteering opportunities for women to gain experience in hospitality, catering, and management. In addition, the programme also includes wellbeing sessions to help build confidence, improve English skills, and foster a sense of connection. Meg Fry, the project manager, commented on the positive impact, saying, “Strong bonds have been made, and we’ve been able to build trust. The project is increasing participants’ confidence and helping them build new skills.”
Deputy Council Leader Kemi Akinola emphasised the importance of the voluntary sector in the borough’s efforts to support refugees, stating, “At a time when the world is looking more uncertain than ever, we are proud of our status as a Borough of Sanctuary.”
Book your place on a Meet the Funder event on 21 March or 27 March.
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