Local organisations awarded over £500,000 to support people seeking sanctuary

The projects – which include initiatives focussed on creative expression, trauma recovery, skills development, and community cohesion – were selected through the Borough of Sanctuary Grants Programme by a panel of residents who themselves have lived experience of seeking sanctuary.

To mark Refugee Week – during which the council is hosting a wide-ranging series of events to those seeking asylum and residents – the awarding of the funding was announced during a special event at Islington Assembly Hall on Wednesday (18 June).

Cllr Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Equalities, Communities and Inclusion, said: “This grants announcement made during Refugee Week exemplifies the steps the borough is taking to continue to welcome those who have sought sanctuary in Islington.

“By putting decision-making power in the hands of those with lived experience, we’ve ensured that the funding reflects the needs of the very people it’s designed to support. This is community power in action – we look forward to seeing the effects of the targeted funding over the next two years.” 

A total of £510,049 has been awarded to 20 organisations and projects, including 13 larger grants (up to £50,000) and seven smaller grants (up to £3,000) for grassroots projects working in partnership with charities, as well as supporting organisations with continuing ongoing work.  

The grants have been awarded to a diverse range of projects that support people seeking asylum in integrating and connecting with the community. These include:

• Creative storytelling and collaborative public exhibitions led by All Change
• Barista and English language training through North East London Gospel Mission’s Coffee BEAN programme providing training to nearly 100 people
• Therapeutic support for survivors of torture provided by Freedom From Torture and
• Support for 800 women in one year with legal advice, English classes, and leadership development by Women for Refugee Women. 
• Holistic support from the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants.
• Targeted programmes for women, older people, and young people, on top of legal advice, employability support, and more to meet the wide-ranging needs of sanctuary-seekers in Islington. 

Meanwhile, the smaller grants are funding grassroots efforts - some of which are led by people seeking asylum and those with lived experience - such as Archway Upcycle’s hands-on woodworking and sewing workshops, and Cut Moose’s non-verbal animation workshops for people with limited English.

In total, the council received 98 grant applications, and the announcement of the funding coincides with Refugee Week, the world's largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees.