‘At Home in our City ’is the theme chosen by the Chester City of Sanctuary Group to celebrate Refugee Week 2024, 16-23 June. The City of Sanctuary is a charity working to foster a welcome for those forced to leave their homes though violence or persecution.

Across the globe many of us move, be it for work or to be near family. For some, it is not a choice but an escape – many have seen war destroy their homes, community and land whilst others have lost any sense of home due to violence and persecution. We may call Chester our home, but what is home – a feeling, memories, a building, community, our shared Earth?

This year groups across Chester are organizing events and activities throughout the week and beyond.

From Sunday 16th June, The Chester City of Sanctuary group invite you to join them in the Cathedral grounds off St Werburgh Street, where we hope to cover our gazebo with ideas of home and messages of welcome. There will also be paintings and poems by refugees, as well as a quiz to try:

Sunday, 16 June 12.00am to 4.00pm

Mon.-Thurs, 11.00am to 3.00pm

Sat.-Sunday 23rd 10.00am to 4.00pm

This year, whilst celebrating home, together we can act in solidarity to ensure all who find themselves here feel safe, welcome and ‘at home in our city’.

For more information see https://chester.cityofsanctuary.org/