Diversity and inclusion are a priority for the Council and a fundamental part of who we are in Calderdale, and play a vital role in our Vision2024 for Calderdale.

We are proud of Calderdale’s status as a Valley of Sanctuary (VoS), led by St. Augustine’s Centre and supported by the Council and other organisations across the voluntary and community sector. The VoS aims to build a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.

In recognition of this, Wainhouse Tower will be lit up in orange next week to mark Refugee Week, a UK-wide festival celebrating the contribution of asylum seekers and refugees to our places, as well as promoting understanding of why people seek sanctuary. This year it will be held from 14-20 June with the theme “We Cannot Walk Alone” and everyone is welcome.

To find out about the great programme of local events which you can get involved with during Refugee Week, click here. These include the following Zoom sessions: Refugee Week Launch, Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary
Monday 14 June, 11am-12 noon

This webinar is planned and delivered by experts by experience (EbE) – people who have been through the asylum and/or refugee process – to celebrate their achievements. It will introduce VoS and how to support VoS efforts, and include poems, songs and talks from individual EbEs relating to the theme “We Cannot Walk Alone” and highlighting the success path. Everyone is welcome to join in on Zoom (Meeting ID: 890 1609 4044, Passcode: 183302)

The Asylum System Unveiled
Tuesday 15 June, 10-11.30am. Free.

Ever wondered how the asylum process actually operates? Join Immigration Advisers Nikki and Laurence from St Augustine’s Centre for this fascinating insight with contributions from people who have experienced it first hand. Please sign up here.St Augustine’s Centre is also running a ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’ mass walk on Sunday 20 June – World Refugee Day. For more information, click here.

Full details about these events and more can be found on the Calderdale City of Sanctuary website :
https://calderdale.cityofsanctuary.org/refugee-week-2