Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrant Workers

Coventry in particular has been receiving asylum seekers and refugees from many parts of the world.

Since 2000 Coventry has had its own Refugee Centre. Originally supported and hosted by St Peter’s Church, Hillfields, Coventry, the new office in Bishop St, Coventry now provides help and advice to people from 87 different countries and has 40 paid staff as well as many volunteers. The arrival of migrant workers has been significant in both the urban and rural areas of Coventry and as well as Warwickshire. Details on www.covrefugee.org.

The arrival of new people in the diocese bringing skills, productive energy and a rich variety of cultural backgrounds presents a major opportunity for Christians to welcome and be good hosts and neighbours to people who are often the most marginal, vulnerable and poor. Those arriving also present challenges to the host community who may find resources are stretched and opinions divided. Perhaps the worst of it is the destitution that structural economic, social and political pressures create.

From time to time the diocese has appealed for and on behalf of vulnerable people. We work closely with Coventry Peace House. See: http://covpeacehouse.org.uk and also Churches Together for Refugees in Coventry (CTRIC), contact Rev Tim Brooke on brooke@care4free.net.

Can Your Church Help!

Coventry Peace House has provided a night shelter for refugees and asylum seekers since October 2004. They are currently experiencing great difficulty in feeding the people that come to them for help. Attached you will find a letter from Penny Walker explaining in more detail the difficulties they are encountering: www.coventrydiocese.org/upload/file/Social Justice 2009/question for churches.doc

Help Asylum Seekers and Refugees in need - Carriers of Hope

It has always been known that the needs supported through Carriers of

Family

Hope are evident all the year round. The following are venues where you

can drop off items: Cornerstone Centre - Tues 9.00am to 1.00pm; or

Room 14 Civic Centre 1 (phone 024 7645 6356 to make sure someone is in).

Our next challenge is to keep the cupboards stocked!

If you can help with this, contact Sue by email: smsampson@hotmail.com;

or 024 7645 6356

City of Sanctuary

For many years, especially since 2000 when Coventry became one of the Government’s twelve major dispersal-cities away from London, Coventry has had a proud tradition of offering a home to refugees and asylum seekers, whose lives were in danger in their own countries. Many have lost homes and families but they have brought new skills, music, food and hard work to contribute to the life of the city. Included with the following update you will find a pledge form, why not pledge your support! click here

To read the Coventry, City of Sanctuary Newsletter, issue 2, June 2009 click here.

To see the National City of Sanctuary website: http://www.cityofsanctuary.com/