This month we had Bristol City of Sanctuary on campus to host a City Challenge with us.
City Challenges are a programme of events providing students with the opportunity to engage with charities and social enterprises and support worthwhile organisations, whilst developing skills to improve employability. By taking part in a City Challenge, students gain experience in group working, problem solving, public speaking and presentation, innovative thinking, and community engagement.
Bristol City of Sanctuary
Wherever we come from, we all have a right to feel safe. That’s why City of Sanctuary are building a more welcoming UK for people rebuilding their lives here.
From community groups to schools and universities, local council to libraries and theatres, they work with individuals, groups and organisations in every sector to encourage inclusivity, solidarity and compassion for people from a forced displacement background.
They are a small charity with a huge vision that every person seeking sanctuary feels welcomed, safe and that their contribution to the community is valued.
City of Sanctuary raise awareness of what it means to seek sanctuary in Bristol, challenging misconceptions and advocating for a fair and humane asylum system.
University of Bristol: a University of Sanctuary
City of Sanctuary grant Sanctuary Awards to celebrate organisations who go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary. The University of Bristol has been a University of Sanctuary since 2019, in recognition of its sector-leading efforts to welcome and support refugee and asylum-seeking students in all aspects of university life. Each year, it pays the tuition fees and living costs for 10-15 asylum-seeking students.
The Challenge
Two representatives from City of Sanctuary joined us on the day, Yasmin and Hibo. Hibo is currently working for the organisation through our SME Internship Scheme.
Working in groups, the students had an afternoon with support from Yasmin and Hibo to come up with solutions to the following Challenges:
1) What more can be done to raise awareness across the student body and increase peer support for sanctuary seeking students?
2) How can we harness the power of the student body to help fundraise for City of Sanctuary’s work?
Outcomes
At the end of the session, the groups presented their ideas. Here are some of the suggestions they came up with.
To raise awareness across the student body:
- Posters
- Stalls at events
- Run an event series
- Engage societies
- Set up a physical space on campus
To increase peer support for sanctuary seeking students:
- Peer mentoring scheme
- Volunteering sessions
- Shared creative spaces
- Society led events to build community
- Alumni mentoring programme
To fundraise for City of Sanctuary’s work:
- Sports events
- Pop-up charity shop sales
- Bake sales
- Fee donation from balls and gigs
Here’s what Yasmin from City of Sanctuary had to say about the event:
“The ideas generated were genuinely innovative and often coming from an angle that we wouldn’t have thought of ourselves!”
Sign up for a City Challenge
We are hosting two more City Challenges this term, book your space now.
Find out about other ways we can help you stand out to employers on the Careers Service website.