Grants for groups celebrating Wandsworth as a place of sanctuary 

The fund is part of our status as a Borough of Sanctuary – awarded in 2024 in recognition of our partnership work with the voluntary and community sector and with residents with lived-experience of seeking sanctuary - including working together to develop and deliver the three-year Wandsworth Sanctuary Strategy. 

Deputy Council Leader Kemi Akinola said: “We are proud to be a Borough of Sanctuary and want to celebrate and raise awareness of the refugees and asylum seekers who have made Wandsworth their home and contributed so much to our communities. I hope everyone living in Wandsworth joins us in celebrating Refugee Week.” 

The theme of this year’s Refugee Week is Community as a Superpower. The council will be holding its own event at the Tooting Family Hub on Monday (June 16) from 6pm-8.30pm. Find out more 

We have awarded Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) a grant to run a Refugee Week Community Lunch and Art Showcase on June 16.  It will bring together people seeking safety, volunteers, partners and local supporters for an afternoon of food, music and connection. Find out more 

CARAS has also received Borough of Sanctuary funding to recruit, train and support four people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary, to challenge harmful narratives and build public understanding.  

Other Borough of Sanctuary Fund recipients are:  

The Katherine Low Settlement has funding to build its capacity to support families and young people seeking sanctuary, including unaccompanied minors.  

Power to Connect will help refugees and asylum seekers develop their digital skills. 

Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees has funding for two projects:  Expanding Sanctuaries in Wandsworth will enable it to expand outreach and support to community groups including arts, sports and faith groups to become Places of Sanctuary, and Children’s Books in Wandsworth Libraries will build a collection of books and resources on themes of migration and refugee experiences to help young people understand sanctuary and migration. Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees will also take exhibitions out into the community.   

Find out more about Information about the Wandsworth Borough of Sanctuary Fund.  

We will also be celebrating Refugee Week all week on our social media channels. Keep an eye on our X, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp channels.