In 2023, we were awarded Borough of Sanctuary status.
This means we’re recognised as a place that welcomes and values the contribution of refugees, migrants and those seeking sanctuary.
Our corporate strategy, Our Greenwich, sets out our objectives and priorities to develop our services and improve the lives of residents. This includes new arrivals and migrant communities.
Read Our Greenwich corporate strategy
We are committed to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants by:
- providing a welcoming environment when they arrive
- helping them settle and integrate into our borough for the benefit of the wider community
- encouraging partnership working and networking across areas
- identifying opportunities to work on common issues that create positive change in and across communities
- engaging them in decision making and activities that help people understand issues that affect asylum seekers and refugees and helping get their voices heard
Download our Borough of Sanctuary policy:
Our work as a Borough of Sanctuary
So far, we have:
- joined the National City of Sanctuary Network and the local Borough of Sanctuary Council Network
- encouraged individuals and organisations to sign our pledge of support
- published our Borough of Sanctuary policy
- set up the Greenwich Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants Group (GRAM) which gives oversight of the support we provide for people arriving in the borough
- helped migrants get advice and support
- set up the Homes for Ukraine scheme
- set up the Syrian Resettlement Scheme
- set up the Afghan Resettlement Scheme
We also have a range of local partnerships that provide advice and support to refugees.