University of Chester celebrates earning University of Sanctuary status

The title was awarded by City of Sanctuary UK, a nationally co-ordinated network of organisations and services, including councils, universities, theatres and libraries that welcome and support refugees and people seeking asylum. A celebration event was held at the University’s Exton Park campus on Tuesday (June 17), with the presentation made by Rev Dr Inderjit Singh Bhogal OBE, founder and President of the City of Sanctuary movement.

It follows three years of work by the University to demonstrate its commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity, safety, and support through various community activities, teaching, research, policies and strategies. The University of Sanctuary submission had been a collaborative effort, with input from key staff across the institution, including both academic and professional support teams.

Examples of support included annual celebrations of Refugee Week and World Refugee Day, offering dedicated practical and/or emotional support to sanctuary students, and awarding Sanctuary Scholarships to students seeking asylum. The scholarships are designed to enable students from asylum-seeker and refugee backgrounds to access higher level study.

Sandra Hughes, Student Experience Projects Manager at the University, said: “I'm really proud that the University of Chester has been awarded University of Sanctuary status. It reflects our genuine commitment to making the University a welcoming, inclusive and supportive place for students seeking sanctuary.

“The application was a real team effort, led by the Student Experience team in Student Services, with fantastic support from academic and professional staff across the University. It’s great to see that shared commitment to compassion and opportunity recognised in this way, and most importantly, it sends a clear message to our students from sanctuary-seeking backgrounds that they are welcome, supported, and truly valued here."

The University also continues to work with the City of Sanctuary (CoS) group in Chester, itself part of the CoS UK network, which holds a vision that the UK will be a welcoming place of safety for all, and proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution. The University has backed a new campaign by City of Sanctuary, titled Community as a Superpower, the official theme of this year’s Refugee Week.

The group is inviting members of the local community to stand in solidarity with sanctuary seekers by taking a photo of themselves – individually or in groups – holding a poster with the message: ‘We are using our Community Superpower to support those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.’ Participants are encouraged to share their photos on social media and use the hashtag #mythbusters. The posters are provided free of charge and feature myth-busting information about sanctuary seeking on the reverse.

Siân Summers-Rees, Chief Officer of CoS UK, added: “The CoS UK team is delighted that the University of Chester has received recognition as a University of Sanctuary. It is joining an illustrious network of Higher Education Institutions dedicated to expanding opportunities for people seeking sanctuary to study, learn and thrive in the UK. The University of Chester should be very proud of its tremendous efforts to create a warm and welcoming University."

Those at the celebration event on Tuesday included members of the University staff community and Students’ Union, local partners including Chester City of Sanctuary members, Chester Cathedral, and Sanctuary Scholars. Chester Cathedral has this week been hosting an exhibition of work by University students exploring themes of sanctuary and the refugee experience.