Campaign with aim to build Northampton into a refugee 'town of sanctuary' relaunches

A campaign to put Northampton on the map as a 'town of sanctuary' where refugees can be welcomed has formally relaunched.

After five years of work out of the public spotlight, 'Northampton Town of Sanctuary' announced its official relaunch yesterday (October 28) with a conference to set out its goals.

The group aims to have Northampton accredited as both a town where national assessment centres can rehome refugees.

It comes after several charities issued a call to action this week after two children and two adults died on the English Channel after a boat sank.

When refugees arrive in the UK, the Government uses assessment centres to disperse them to accredited towns and cities across the country.

'Northampton Town of Sanctuary' aim to have Northampton listed as somewhere refugees can be rehomed, as no where in the county is currently approved for the scheme.

It also aims to have the University of Northampton listed as a 'University of Sanctuary' where refugees can access bursaries and scholarships to enter higher education.

Town of Sanctuary member councillor Danielle Stone said: "We felt it was time again to promote ourselves to the organisations in Northampton because there's still an awful lot of work to be done.

"We've been planning this for weeks, but the conference has now come in a week where we have seen the tragic death of two children and two adults on the Channel.

"We want the UK and Northampton to be a safe habour and provide safety from persecution and violence."

The online conference hosted by the University of Northampton yesterday (October 28) featured speakers from the Refugee Council, the Student Action for Refugees network (STAR) and the University of Sanctuary action group.

For more information on the Northampton Town of Sanctuary group, visit their website.