Richmond Sanctuary Board invites new members with lived experience

By Tilly O'Brien 24th Jan 2025

Richmond Sanctuary Board is inviting local residents to join its board (Credit: Richmond Council)
Richmond Sanctuary Board is inviting local residents to join its board (Credit: Richmond Council)

Richmond Sanctuary Board is inviting residents who have experienced being a refugee or asylum seeker to join the board and play a role in shaping the support given to sanctuary seekers.  

Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities and the Voluntary Sector, Cllr Nancy Baldwin, said: "I'm proud of our local Sanctuary Board, which is an important part of our Borough of Sanctuary Action Plan.

"By bringing together residents who have faced the challenges of seeking sanctuary, we ensure their voices are heard and valued.

"This helps us develop and deliver services tailored to the needs of local sanctuary seekers."  

Sanctuary Champion, Cllr Fiona Sacks said: "Richmond is committed to welcoming sanctuary seekers and ensuring that they feel safe and have access to opportunities and the support they need to thrive in their new home.

"The Richmond Sanctuary Board meets quarterly to oversee key actions and commitments to ensure that Richmond is inclusive for all.

"We invite residents with lived experience to join our meetings and help shape actions in Richmond to support and welcome sanctuary seekers."  

Richmond Sanctuary Board is looking to recruit five residents who have experienced being a refugee or asylum seeker to represent their communities.

These Board members will be selected to provide feedback on its plans, help decide which projects receive funding through the Borough of Sanctuary Grant Scheme and use their community knowledge to shape the Board's work.

They will contribute to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.   

This first round of recruitment will focus on those arriving in the UK through resettlement schemes (e.g. from Afghanistan or Syria) and as part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Future recruitment rounds will focus on other residents with lived experience such as being an asylum seeker, an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child or having no recourse to public funds. 

Priority will be given to those currently living in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and those currently experiencing any of these situations.

Applicants with past experience of these circumstances who live in Richmond are also encouraged to apply.   

To ensure that there are no barriers to participation, travel expenses and other access-related costs to help Board members attend meetings will be covered.

Additionally, English language support and training opportunities will be available. 

You can learn more about the scheme and how to apply via the council's website.

The closing date is Wednesday 12 February 2025.

For more information, contact [email protected]

     

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