Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary

23/07/2026

Our Commitment Remains Unchanged!

Yesterday, Calderdale Council voted to withdraw from the Local Authority of Sanctuary scheme. While we are disappointed by this decision, it does not define Calderdale, nor change who we are or what we stand for.

For us, Sanctuary is not a title or a badge. It is a shared commitment and a promise. It is the everyday acts of welcome shown by our members, volunteers, schools, faith communities, businesses, charities, public services and neighbours who choose kindness every day.

We are proud as part of City of Sanctuary movement. As an independent charity, we will continue working with our partners across Calderdale to build bridges, strengthen communities and ensure that people seeking sanctuary feel welcomed and valued.

We would also like to thank everyone who contacted their local councillors, and the councillors who spoke up and voted against the Motion. Your support means so much to us.

Our commitment remains unchanged. We will continue to:

Welcome with compassion
Celebrate the contribution of people seeking sanctuary
Grow the Sanctuary movement
Equip and inspire others

Supporting people who need our help is the right thing to do. ⁣It should be something we’re proud of. Together, we can continue to show that the true spirit of Calderdale is one of kindness, compassion and welcome ❤️

Visit our website to read the full response from Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary
To get more information, please contact us - [email protected]

17/07/2026

A big thank you to Sarah Fitton and Halifax Courier for covering this important issue.

Our statement higlights the importance of partnership, community cohesion and ensuring everyong ie Calderdale has the opportunity to belong and contribute.

You can read the full article, including our comments below

Charity's response to Calderdale Reform's bid to withdraw council from refugee scheme
📰 https://trib.al/Rt8OVvn

16/07/2026

✨ Save the date! ✨
Shine Your Style is coming on Saturday, 8 August! 🌟
Everyone is Welcome

14/07/2026

Last week, on a beautiful sunny day in Birmingham, we came together in a stunning church with people from across the country for the City of Sanctuary Away Day.

It was a day of connection, reflection, and hope. We shared inspiring projects, learned from one another through case studies and conversations, and explored how we can turn our shared ambitions into action.

Together, we imagined a future where everyone feels welcome and belongs, and we left with fresh ideas, new connections, and renewed energy to bring back to Calderdale and our valley, feeling inspired, hopeful, and full of ideas to build on.

We're excited to keep these conversations going and to play our part in creating communities where everyone feels they belong.

02/07/2026

Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary Newsletter now our! https://mailchi.mp/calderdale.cityofsanctuary.org/read-our-brand-new-newsletter-10151009

29/06/2026

Following our final event last Monday, we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year's Refugee Week.

We'd love to hear from you! Whether you attended one event or several, your feedback will help us improve Refugee Week in the future.

📝 Please take a few minutes to complete our feedback survey and share your experience with us.
🔗 https://forms.gle/o6MRFDgkeVpLEQDv8

A special thank you goes to all of our member organisations, partners and volunteers, whose hard work, creativity and dedication made this year's programme possible. Every event was planned and delivered locally, by local people, for local communities, helping to celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary across Calderdale.

Thank you once again for celebrating Refugee Week with us. Together, we're helping to make Calderdale a welcoming place for everyone. 💙


Thank you once again for celebrating Refugee Week with us. Together, we're helping to make Calderdale a welcoming place for everyone. 💙

22/06/2026

🌍✨ As we bring Refugee Week 2026 to a close, join us for one final event exploring an important and often overlooked topic: SEND, migration and inclusion.

📅 Monday 22 June 2026
🕥 10:30am – 12:00pm
💻 Online Webinar

Organised by Wayfinder Calderdale CIC, this seminar will explore the experiences of refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant children and families navigating the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Children from refugee and migrant backgrounds can face unique barriers to having their needs recognised and supported. Through expert insights, lived experience and professional perspectives, we will discuss how schools, services and communities can work together to create more inclusive and equitable support systems.

The webinar will feature a keynote speaker from Refugee Education UK, contributions from people with lived experience, and local professionals working in education and community support.

This event is open to:
• SENCos, school staff and governors
• Education professionals
• Community and voluntary sector organisations
• Refugee and migrant support organisations
• Parents and carers
• Anyone interested in inclusion and equity in education

As we reflect on a wonderful Refugee Week filled with community celebrations, arts, culture, learning and solidarity across Calderdale, we invite you to join this final conversation and help build a more inclusive future for all children and families.

With thanks to Calderdale Council for funding this event.

21/06/2026

What an incredible evening at our screening of The Long Away Game and Home Ground.

A huge thank you to our special guests, Sabriah Nawrozi Mohseni and Matt Radcliffe, for your amazing work and for the courage and generosity you showed in sharing your unique stories. The room was filled with both tears and laughter, reminding us of the power of storytelling to connect us all.

Thank you to St Augustine’s Football Team for joining us and being part of such a special event. We are also deeply grateful to Hebden Bridge Picture House for supporting the screening, and to and Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Discovery for making the screening possible and for their tremendous support throughout.

Football is a kind of magic. It speaks beyond language, culture, and background. It brings people together in ways few things can. And stories have the power to build understanding, empathy, and community.

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared this experience with us. We hope you enjoy all the football, stories, and connections that make our communities stronger.

20/06/2026

📅 Today
🕓 4:00pm – 6:00pm
📍 Hebden Bridge Picture House
🎟️ Free to attend

As part of Refugee Week 2026, join us for a special free screening of The Long Away Game & Home Ground, two inspiring films exploring football, courage, community and belonging.

The Long Away Game follows Afghan refugee footballer Sabriah as she rebuilds her life in Yorkshire through football, while Home Ground tells the story of the St Augustine's football team and the role football plays in creating friendship and a sense of home.

🎤 Stay after the screening for a live Q&A with Sabriah and filmmaker Matt Radcliffe.

With Refugee Week and the World Cup both bringing people together through stories and sport, we'd love to see you there.

19/06/2026

⚽🎬 Tomorrow at Hebden Bridge Picture House!

As part of Refugee Week 2026, join us for a special free screening of The Long Away Game & Home Ground, two inspiring films exploring football, courage, community and belonging.

The Long Away Game follows Afghan refugee footballer Sabriah as she rebuilds her life in Yorkshire through football, while Home Ground tells the story of the St Augustine's football team and the role football plays in creating friendship and a sense of home.

🎤 Stay after the screening for a live Q&A with Sabriah and filmmaker Matt Radcliffe.

📅 Saturday 20 June
🕓 4:00pm – 6:00pm
📍 Hebden Bridge Picture House
🎟️ Free to attend

With Refugee Week and the World Cup both bringing people together through stories and sport, we'd love to see you there.

Reserve your free seat here:
🔗 https://bit.ly/TLAG2026

Please note: a 50p booking fee applies online. To avoid the fee, you can book in person at the cinema or get your ticket on the day.