UCS launch for ‘Ipswich Town of Sanctuary’
 Well over a hundred supporters and other interested people gathered at the UCS building to mark the formal launch of the ‘Ipswich Town of Sanctuary’ project.
Hosted by local co-ordinator, Melissa Day, and Elaine Coltham, Chair of the Fairtrade movement in Ipswich, the evening included contributions from a number of people who support the cause, including:
- Ice and Fire Theatre Company, who performed Asylum Monologues, an account of the UK’s asylum system
- Nawroz Oramari, a former refugee, who sang two traditional Kurdish songs
- Jane Chambers, the previous Mayor of Ipswich, who said how moved she had been by the drama, and expressed her support for the initiative
- Ivor Smith, Minister of St Johns URC church in Ipswich, explained how the “Its Tuesday” group in his church taught conversational English, and offered a ‘drop in’ facility.
- Rayon Nelson, singer/songwriter, performed some of his latest work
- Nicola Rayworth from Dance East performed a dance sequence specially written for the event.
 City of Sanctuary is a grassroots movement, rather like Fairtrade, that works by creating opportunities for relationships between local people and those seeking sanctuary, offering a culture of hospitality for those in need of safety. It has the support of faith groups, community groups and local governments.
A highlight of the evening was a talk by Inderjit Bhogal, founder and chair of the City of Sanctuary movement and former President of the British Methodist Conference. Inderjit had himself come to the UK as a refugee in 1964, and had flown in that day from Ireland especially to be present at the launch.
He explained that the City of Sanctuary movement was not about setting up new organisations, but encouraging people to work together to help those in need of refuge. He wanted many to share the vision of local people and local governments working together to welcome people in need. "There are sanctuaries in this country for donkeys and birds, so why not for people?"
Giving examples from Biblical times and from the history of our own country, he explained how the wish to offer sanctuary to those in need of safety and a welcome is a very old one. The idea of official places of sanctuary resurfaced a few years ago, when in 2005 Sheffield became the first official City of Sanctuary. People from several other cities and towns then contacted Inderjit, saying they also wanted to join the movement. Now Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Hackney, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Sheffield, Swansea and Wakefield are all Cities, Boroughs or Towns of Sanctuary.
In order to qualify for official Town of Sanctuary status, the local group needs many local organisations, including Ipswich Borough Council, to agree to support the movement by actively including and welcoming people seeking sanctuary fully into the life of the community. Already much progress has been made towards this objective - and also in dispelling some of the false ideas that are around regarding asylum seekers in the UK. Since the project began in March 2009, Ipswich Town of Sanctuary has gained the support of Chris Mole, former Labour MP for Ipswich, and Ben Gummer, Conservative MP for Ipswich. There are also over 40 supporting organisations.
More information about the local work, including a list of supporting organisations and a Q and A section dealing with many of the questions people raise about the issue, is available on the website www.cityofsanctuary.co.uk/ipswich
Local Co-ordinator, Melissa Day, can be also be contacted at 07861758739 by any who wish to know more or be involved in some way.
The evening finished with a poem by Elaine Coltham.
Have You Heard Of My Journey?
(Dedicated to the work of Ipswich Town of Sanctuary)
Have you heard of my journey?
Has it come to your ears?
About my torment and struggles
The danger and tears.
I’m searching for somewhere
So this hiding can cease
When through shadows of persecution
I can begin to glimpse peace.
Gone, those who loved me
In that place I called home
So I fled to survive
But feel desperately alone.
I am tired, need rest
In an unthreatening place
Please give me without fear
A smile from your face.
Our language so different
Yet our hearts beat the same
Maybe your space feels invaded?
As we play waiting games.
I just long now, to be safe
Escape the nightmares in my mind.
Have sleep without motion
Leave this terror behind.
You have now heard of my journey
Now it’s come to your ears
Can this town be my sanctuary?
From my heartache and fears.
Elaine Coltham
2011
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