Some Practical Actions by Supporting Groups and Organisations at Nov. 2010

Abigail Project / Housing and support for destitute asylum seekers; refugee housing project
Amnesty Bradford Group / Supported City of Sanctuary events : Stories of Sanctuary and Asylum Dialogues and receive regular reports back
Airedale (C of E) Deanery Synod / Member churches support BEACON’S work; also Inn Churches winter homeless drop-in
Amnesty International, Bradford / Support Refugee Week activities
Anchor Project / Runs ESOL classes
Anglican Parish of Baildon / Actively supports Abigail project.
BEACON (Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern) / See ‘Key Partner Agencies’ in Status Application
Bevan House Primary Care Centre / See ‘Key Partner Agencies’ in Status Application
BIASAN / See ‘Key Partner Agencies’ in Status Application
Bradford Action for Refugees / See ‘Key Partner Agencies’ in Status Application
Bradford Anglican Diocese / Advocacy and publicity for C of S. Bishop (recently ret’d) involved in key campaigns, including in House of Lords. Extensive support for Abigail project. Set up Inn Churches winter nightshelters for homeless people, including sanctuary seekers
Bradford Cathedral / Extensive support for Abigail project. Hosted International Carol Services for sanctuary seekers; refugee photo exhibition, etc
Bradford Churches for Dialogue and Diversity (BCDD) / Current offers to host speakers events; involve sanctuary seekers in interfaith dialogue; interfaith youth group producing craft items for sanctuary seekers
Bradford City Centre Project / Signposting for homeless asylum seekers
Bradford City Council /
  • Signed Resolution of Support March 2009.
  • Currently discussing our manifesto in New Arrivals Operations and Strategy Groups.
  • With Incommunities (see below) operates Bradford Asylum Support Team, supporting asylum seekers who have recently moved to their UKBA contracted property, pending a decision on their asylum claim.
  • Operates Immigration and Asylum Unit, providing casework support principally to asylum seeker children and families
  • Participates with Horton Housing (see below) in Gateway Protection Programme, providing accommodation and support to Burmese Rohingya refugees
  • Mayor and Deputy have launched Bradford C of S and, for past two years,Refugee Week

Bradford Community Arts / Supports New Communities Music Development project
Bradford Community Broadcasting / Weekly francophone programme hosted by refugee; regular interviews to publicise C of S, BEACON, Refugee Week
Bradford Curry Project / Provides hot meals two evenings/week to homeless, including sanctuary seekers
Bradford & District Liberal Democrat Council Group / First put motion to Council to sign our Resolution of Support. Local MP has provided advocacy support to individual sanctuary seekers; launched Refugee Week Finale Event in 2010
Bradford Local Quaker Meeting / Support for BEACON
Bradford Food Bank / Food parcels for homeless, including sanctuary seekers
Bradford Nightstop / Emergency overnight accommodation to young homeless, including sanctuary seekers
Bradford Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Survivors Service / Counselling and extensive casework support on behalf of women sanctuary seekers
Bradford Resource Centre / Hosts weekly BIASAN (see above) drop-in and New Communities Music events
Bradford Soulspace / Extensive friendship and support for individual sanctuary seekers; works with STAR (see below)
British Red Cross – Bradford / See ‘Key Partner Agencies’ in Status Application
Centre Resolution Conflicts / See ‘Key Partner Agencies’ in Status Application
CHAS (Catholic Housing Aid Society) Bradford / Cheap furniture and household goods to people on benefits, including those recently granted refugee status
Christchurch Local Ecumenical Church, Ilkley / Long-term financial and practical support for BEACON
Christchurch Windhill / Support to individual sanctuary seekers who attend
Grange Technology College / Working with C of S on draa production about sanctuary seekers’ experiences
Hale Project (Health Action Local Engagement) / Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Networker provides 1:1 support to access community serv ices
Holmewood Ethnic Minorities / See ‘Key Partner Agencies’ in Status Application
Hope Housing / Emergency overnight hosting for homeless, including sanctuary seekers
Horton Housing Association / See ‘Key Partner Agencies’ in Status Application
Incommunities / With Bradford Council (see above) operates Bradford Asylum Support Team, supporting asylum seekers who have recently moved to their UKBA contracted property, pending a decision on their asylum claim.
Manningham Mills Community Association / Current offers of support include fundraising events, befriending, food donations
Missionary Society of St. Columban / Regularly cook for BIASAN Drop-in
Otley Rd & Undercliffe Communityworks / Previously hosted BIASAN weekly Drop-in
The Our Project / Community service working with people living with HIV, including tailored support for sanctuary seekers
Palm Cove Society
Raise The Roof Ltd / Supported housing for those granted refugee status
Extensive support for C of S and Refugee Week events including staging, PA and marquees
Saltaire Methodist Church / Support to individual sanctuary seekers who attend
St. Augustine’s Church BD3 / Support to individual sanctuary seekers who attend; weekly Breadmaking group; support for Congolese community
St Clements Church Barkerend / Weekly English conversation group
St Lawrence’s Church Eldwick / Support for BEACON Hosting project
St. Paul’s Parish Church, Manningham / Weekly drop-in with meal for homeless, including sanctuary seekers
St Peters Church Shipley / Support for BEACON: volunteers, finance; toiletries, clothing, etc. Publicise
C of S in the parish
STAR Student Action for Refugees, Bradford University / Weekly drop-in providing food, befriending, advocacy and campaigning
Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire) / Interviews to publicise C of S, BEACON, Refugee Week
Touchstone Centre / c/o address and message service for C of S; low cost office space and extensive support for BEACON
The Welcome at St. Mary’s Centre
/ Hosted BIASAN Drop-in for several years; very low cost venue for
C of S events

This list is not exhaustive, but reflects the incredible breadth and diversity of support for those seeking sanctuary in our city.

bradford - proud to be a place of safety