Swansea became the UK’s second official City of Sanctuary in May 2010. Its constitution was formally adopted in February 2012 and amended in 2019.
City of Sanctuary is a national movement committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.
Swansea has offered a home to people who have lost their homes and families and we wish to celebrate the welcoming attitudes of Swansea people and organisations.
Our City of Sanctuary Management Committee invites all organisations, local groups and individuals to join us and help make Swansea proud to be a place of safety. City of Sanctuary support can include community centres, charities, social clubs, schools, local services and businesses, as well as refugee organisations and volunteers. Supporting organisations promise to welcome and include people seeking sanctuary in their activities.
Take a look at our City of Sanctuary resolution of support. We also have included some ideas to turn your support into practical help.
Recent News >>
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Improving Access to Higher Education & Employment for Forced Migrants
Monday 14th June 2021
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Hannah of “Better Welcome” nominated as community champion during lockdown
Lockdown hasn’t prevented Swansea giving a proper welcome to asylum seekers and refugees. Hannah Sabatia, project coordinator for the ‘A Better Welcome to Swansea’ Project, was recently nominated as a community champion by Bethan Sayed MS, Member of the Senedd…
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Banners Celebrate City of Welcome
A colourful pair of new banners are flying the flag for cultural diversity in Swansea. One is headed in English and one in Welsh, celebrating ten years of Swansea as a City of Sanctuary (or Dinas Noddfa Abertawe). They are…
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City of Sanctuary welcomes new volunteers and committee members
Lockdown has proved no barrier to recruiting new Swansea City of Sanctuary volunteers.
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Sanctuary in Lockdown
Swansea has been a City of Sanctuary for ten years. It means making the city welcoming to all-comers including those escaping from violence or persecution in other countries. Like many others, asylum seekers and refugees have had particular problems during…
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A culture of welcome in flowers
Swansea Council has marked the tenth anniversary of Swansea as a City of Sanctuary by planting a flower display. It was unveiled on 9 July 2020 by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Mark Childs, at a brief ceremony attended by Amber…
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We are Ten!!
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Mumbles Welcome Day
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Lord Mayor hosts afternoon tea for City of Sanctuary Volunteers
In recognition of support for Swansea City of Sanctuary thought the year and to celebrate the festive season, we have invited our volunteers and some asylum seekers/ refugees for an afternoon tea party hosted by the Lord Mayor of Swansea…
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Ten Pin Bowling party
Ten Pin Bowling party
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‘A Hundred Thousand Welcomes’
The much awaited book, 'A Hundred Thousand Welcomes' is now ready and available to purchase online. Some of the stories in the book are from Swansea City of Sanctuary people Alan, Hannah, Rocio and Sian, who read extracts at our…
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“A Better Welcome to Swansea” Project – Staff Change
Our partnership with Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS) on this project continues very successfully. Volunteer Mentors are recruited and trained to help welcome people seeking sanctuary to Swansea (primarily newly-arrived asylum seekers). Mentors might, for example, explain bus routes,…
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