Stories of Hope and Home

Hi everyone!

Lots of things are thrown at us right now.

The truth is, migration is life.

We will stay connected, look after each other and spread solidarity and love, to build a society that protects us all.

#RefugeesWelcome
#NoOneIsIllegal
#TheseWallsMustFall

We love working with so many incredible, inclusive schools of sanctuary who model the possibility of creating welcoming, compassionate communities where everyone's humanity is respected. These schools give us so much hope for the future and we are looking forward to a new year working with them too!

Graphic reads "people seeking asylum are... chefs, farmers, lawyers, hairdressers and a range of other professions.... talented, resilient people banned from work

People seeking asylum have so much to offer the UK.

So why are these talented, resilient people BANNED from working?

Make it make sense.

#LiftTheBan

MOBILE PHONES NEEDED

We are desperate for some mobile phones for some of the sanctuary seekers we support.

We are looking for functioning unlocked smart phones.

If you have one, please email helen@birchnetwork.org
Thanks!

UK party leaders urged to end ‘pernicious currents’ of hatred fuelling anti-migrant protests More than 200 refugee groups, charities and unions sign letter calling for action after weeks of protests outside asylum hotels

We’re joining 200+ orgs to say enough.

These racist actions do not have broad public support.
Yet the government and the media are fuelling them with hateful and divisive rhetoric.

It's time to take responsibility and change the tune.

#TogetherWithRefugees

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Today we join over 200 orgs to stand in solidarity with those affected by the recent anti-refugee protests, many of whom have already fled unimaginable horrors to try to find safety.⁠
⁠
Read the letter below 👇
@refugeestogether.bsky.social

Let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social movement.
While a hateful minority spend their time whipping up division, this network of thousands dedicate themselves to welcome and kindness.
These are the people who represent the UK that we're proud to be part of.

The people hurling abuse and bringing violence to our streets want to create a country of strangers.
But we're so proud of the country we see every day: where communities work together to welcome newcomers and defend the right to seek sanctuary.
We know which country we'd rather be.

An exceptionally busy Refugee Week is drawing to a close safe in the knowledge that Community really is a Superpower. The struggle goes on, but so does the celebration and the finding of joy, love and hope!

Great night at The Exchange with @unibirmingham.bsky.social  as part of the #RefugeeWeek celebrations!

RMC's Danai took part in the discussion along with @asylummatters.bsky.social  and @storiesofhome.bsky.social  with live music, discussion and shared stories 🧡

We were so happy to be with you for your day of action yesterday! We were very impressed by your compassion, your empathy and your commitment to making the world a place where everyone is welcome and included. The future is bright!

HAPPY REFUGEE WEEK 2025 🙌🏻🙌🏻

We'd love YOU to join us:

(TONIGHT) Fri 20th June- Restore Annual Celebration (@ St Martin’s in the Bullring Church at 7.15pm) !

Sat 21st June- we are meeting at Moseley Exchange at 11am to join in the Refugee Welcome March.

#birminghamcityofsanctuary#refugeeweek

Our theme this year for Refugee Week is 'Community as a Superpower'.

As bell hooks says “We can begin the process of making community wherever we are. We can begin by sharing a smile, a warm greeting, a bit of conversation; by doing a kind deed or by acknowledging kindness offered to us.”

Series of colourful figures hold up a blue banner reading "solidarity not strangers"

This #RefugeeWeek, #OurSuperpower is solidarity.
Our amazing communities are filled with incredible people with a huge range of different experiences. Our solidarity is what unites us, makes us speak up for each other, and ensures we'll never be strangers.

HAPPY REFUGEE WEEK!🥳

This #RefugeeWeek, #OurSuperpower is building a movement of welcome for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

This week, and every week, we know that community is our superpower.

Refugee Week is here and we have had a great start to the week: the empathy, compassion and warmth of welcome we saw from all the students at St Mary's School in Sandwell was a reminder that Community really is a Superpower! @refugeeweek.bsky.social

This Fathers' Day we are thinking of all the fathers who have been forced to seek safety, often making impossible decisions, to bring their children with them, or to leave them behind.

The best books for children about refugees Ahead of Refugee Week, we round up entertaining stories, poems and nonfiction to help children of all ages learn about refugees and gain understanding

Want your kids to have a better understanding of people seeking sanctuary?

Ahead of Refugee Week later this month, the team behind A Day of Welcome have put together this reading list for children to help to encourage conversation and understanding of refugees:
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

!عيد مبارك!
Eid Mubarak to all our friends who are celebrating today!

Some might try to divide our communities for political gain, but we see every single day how people go out of their way to welcome newcomers and speak out for the rights of people seeking sanctuary.

Share if the Britain you recognise is an island of solidarity, not of strangers.

This Volunteers' Week we especially want to give a big shout out to all of our participants who volunteer their time to share their stories to educate snd inspire the next generation! You are amazing!

It's Volunteers' Week and we want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who donates their time to support us. We appreciate you!

Home Office signing/reporting/detention meeting

We want to see if there is interest in getting together a group of volunteers to lead on this work.

DATE: Wed 25th June
TIME: 6-8pm
WHERE: to be decided when we know who is coming/from where. Could be an online or face to face meeting

Our current project involves us writing letters from and about different experiences we have had in our lives. In our most recent session, we took a break from writing, to design stamps representing our home countries and the UK

Could you make a difference & befriend a refugee? Find out more at our training course on Saturday 7 June. To find out more www.restore-uk.org/news/restore...
#RefugeesWelcome #volunteer
@birmctogether.bsky.social @bvscbirmingham.bsky.social @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social

Headline from the Mirror newspaper reads "refugee and migrant groups join with hundreds to warn again 'politics of division'

When irresponsible politicians try to divide our communities, what do we do? We speak up, we stand together, we stay strong.

We are, and always will be, an island of solidarity, not of strangers.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Journeying in Hope Help Francis Madden raise money to support Stories of Hope and Home

www.justgiving.com/page/francis...

Our friends Helena & Francis have made it to Santiago after 2000km cycling across France & Spain! Plus they've hit their fundraising target! Congratulations!
Their Journey of Hope isn't over as they'll be cycling on to the coast and it's definitely not too late to still donate to the appeal either

The debrief. Why this parliament must lift the ban on work for people seeking asylum.

Got 5 mins? Read our full report with the Lift The Ban coalition: www.refugee-action.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Got 60 seconds spare? Read this thread! 🧵

It's exam season so we want to remind the many children and young people we have met that, whatever your results, you fill us with hope for the future. Your SATs/GCSEs/Alevels will not measure your empathy and compassion, your commitment to building a better world. Never forget what really matters!