The borough has received the status for its efforts in welcoming those seeking a safe place to live reports Hana Rajabally

Barnet has been officially awarded Borough of Sanctuary status for its efforts in welcoming those seeking a safe place to live, joining seven other London Boroughs in receiving the award.

The Borough of Sanctuary title is awarded by the charity City of Sanctuary UK to organisations and areas that go above and beyond to welcome those looking for a safe haven.

In recent years, Barnet has been working on various areas of help for refugees and asylum seekers, including commissioning New Citizens’ Gateway and Persian Advice Bureau to provide support and assistance.

Cllr Zahra Beg, cabinet member for equalities, and the voluntary and community sector, said: “Barnet has a long history of welcoming those hoping to build a better life, and I’m deeply proud that we have built on this legacy and been recognised as a Borough of Sanctuary.

“I would like to thank all those who have contributed to achieving this status and look forward to continuing to work together to make our borough a beacon of compassion where every resident, regardless of their background or origin, feels a sense of belonging.”

Out of the 317 local authorities across the UK, 68 have joined the City of Sanctuary UK network, and out of those 68, only 18 have achieved Sanctuary status.

The London Borough of Lewisham was the first local authority to achieve Sanctuary status in March 2021, and so far this year six LAs have attained the status, including Richmond-upon-Thames, Bristol, Southwark, Wandsworth, Camden and Barnet.

Barnet Council has hosted more than 1,700 Ukrainian refugees through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, supported many individuals and families through the Afghan Resettlement Scheme, and welcomed Hong Kongers through the Hong Kong BN(O) scheme.

In addition, the council has supported more than 1,000 children into school places and allocated extra funding to schools accommodating asylum-seeking children.

Following the award, the council has re-launched the Borough of Sanctuary network, which holds regular meetings with partners in the voluntary, community and faith sector to support the integration of sanctuary seekers in Barnet.

Farida Stanikzai, Operations Manager at New Citizens’ Gateway, said: “For the past two decades, New Citizens’ Gateway (formerly known as Barnet Refugee Service) has been aiding refugees and asylum seekers in Barnet. Our clients, the most vulnerable members of society, pose a significant challenge to support.

“It’s heartening to witness Barnet Council taking numerous steps to support this client group for the past few years, making Barnet a welcoming borough for newcomers.

Foujon Naini, Founder of Persian Advice Bureau, said: “This significant achievement highlights our collective commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents.”

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