We are delighted to share the exciting news that Waltham Forest has officially been awarded Borough of Sanctuary status, following our assessment with a panel led by national charity City of Sanctuary. A huge thank you for everyone’s work to enable us to reach this stage and the continued ambition to go further in delivering our action plan in the years ahead.   

Welcome Hub Launch- Thursday 14 December 2023

The new Welcome Hub at Lea Bridge Library will be launching on Thursday 14 December 2023 to provide information and practical advice to migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum. If you are available, please join us from 3pm to 5.30pm to celebrate the launch as well as our Borough of Sanctuary status. The Hub hosts a drop-in on Thursdays 2pm to 4pm which is the best place to send residents with migrant backgrounds who need specialised information and additional support with form-filling, education advice and homelessness support. 

Updates from 27 November Steering Group:

• Move on support for refugees newly receiving status: If you are approached by a resident who recently received refugee status and needs initial support with benefits, housing and next steps please encourage them to come to the Welcome Hub at Lea Bridge Library on Thursdays 2pm to 4pm. If they are a resident of hotel accommodation, please ask them to approach Early Help staff based in the hotels. 
• Move on advice: Copies of general ‘move on’ support guides for refugees newly receiving status created by REAP and Care4Calais are attached. 
• Housing briefing: There is also more general advice on supporting rough sleepers available.
• Government consultation: Local authorities are being asked to respond to a consultation on a future cap on Safe and Legal routes. We are currently discussing with partners and other local authorities how best to respond before the mid-December deadline.
• Training: We are currently working to deliver training briefings on ‘Working with Refugees and People Seeking Asylum’ for Council staff. If you work with another non-Council group who would be interested in a briefing in the New Year- please get in touch. 
• Gym and leisure access: People seeking sanctuary have access to the below offers through GLL our leisure partner. 
  • Free 6-month membership to residents with refugee status in the last year. 
  • Weekly sessions in the Community Living Rooms this winter- timetable attached.
  • All children under three have access to free swimming, and all under 18s have access to free swimming during school holidays.

The next steering group meeting will take place in February 2024.