The Mayor and the Leader of the Council welcome refugees to special event

Brighton & Hove Mayor Councillor Jackie O’Quinn and the Council Leader Bella Sankey received a group of refugees and people seeking sanctuary at an informal gathering held on Monday 3 July at Brighton Town Hall.

The event took place in honour of Refugee Week, a worldwide celebration of the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees, which ran from Monday 19 June to Sunday 25 June.

In attendance were refugees from different countries, including women who, along with their families, are living in temporary accommodation and awaiting asylum decisions.

Inspirational stories

The event was an opportunity for those attending to connect and hear the women’s stories, learn about their journeys and challenges they still face living in Brighton & Hove.

The women were also able to chat over coffee and cake, learn more about the city’s history and work of the council.

Voicing their unwavering support to individuals and families seeking a safe haven in our city, the Mayor and Leader expressed their deep commitment to city’s role as a City of Sanctuary.

Seeking urgent improvements

Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of the Council said: “It was really special to join our Mayor in hosting people seeking asylum today.

“I spoke with Iranian, Kurdish, Turkish, Syrian and Algerian women who have come to our country to seek protection from unthinkable abuses.

“I am deeply concerned that so many have been left languishing in hotels in our City for so long. One family of four, with a baby born in Brighton & Hove, has been living in one hotel room for nearly two years with no ability to prepare nutritious meals.

“I will be visiting this hotel as soon as possible and asking to meet with those managing this accommodation to seek urgent improvements.”

The event was organised with the help of Network of International Women who run weekly drop-in sessions for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants from all over the world, in partnership with All Saints Church.

Attending were also members of the Stand for Ukraine - Brighton & Hove, a local community group created to support the Ukrainian community in the city and promote Ukrainian history and culture.