Oxford City Council Receives the Local Authority Sanctuary Award

26 February, 2025

Oxford Interfaith Forum, a member of the Council of Sanctuary External Stakeholders Working Group, was honoured to participate in the celebration marking the Oxford City Council’s accreditation as a Local Authority of Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary Award makes Oxford the United Kingdom’s first district-level Council of Sanctuary. The celebration of this important occasion was organised by the dedicated Oxford City Council Sanctuary Team – Stephen Cohen, Eden Habtemichael, and Lucy Nichol. It took place in the Museum of Oxford at the Oxford Town Hall.

Oxford Interfaith Forum, together with wider stakeholders, contributed to a three-year action plan which ended with such a successful outcome. The gathering was a wonderful opportunity to come together over lunch, celebrate shared achievements, and strengthen connections with both valued partners, and future collaborators, as well as continue embedding sanctuary practices in our communities.

The official part of the event started with the Sanctuary Team members’ presentation, followed by a Ukrainian music performance by Igor Grohotsky, Award Celebration Cake cutting, ended with the Iraqi Women Art and War Multicultural Fashion Show.

Stephen Cohen, Refugee and Resettlement Manager, said: It has been both a privilege and honour to work with so many committed and driven colleagues, both inside and outside the Council, who are focused on making Oxford a more inclusive and successful city. The Council has worked hard to build local partnerships with external organisations such as the Oxford Interfaith Forum, who continue to strive for equality of opportunity and support for local people seeking sanctuary, so they can thrive and progress in life, as well as looking to open space for conversations on what connects us, rather than separates us. Achieving the Local Authority of Sanctuary Award marks an important milestone for Oxford City Council and demonstrates the Council’s commitment to the principles of dignity, welcome and equality. Our team looks forward to working with local partners to implement the Council of Sanctuary Framework and Action Plan over the coming years.

Eden Habtemichael, Council of Sanctuary Co-Coordinator, commented: As a refugee myself, story is one of trauma, the kindness of strangers, welcome, posttraumatic growth, de-transformation, and immense human development. I have been allowed to experience this not just because of hostility, but also due to the great welcome I received at different times in my life. From being a depressed person to becoming very confident and proud, from loneliness to having the biggest extended family ever—this is why having a local place of sanctuary is so important in shaping people seeking sanctuary futures and giving them a chance to start over. For me, being part of the Council of Sanctuary project is about creating places of welcome, safety, and hope. I am very privileged to work with the local partners and staff, and we will make it happen.

Lucy Nichol, Council of Sanctuary Co-Coordinator, shared: At the heart of sanctuary is people, with this in mind, and as one of the coordinators of the Council of Sanctuary here at Oxford City Council, I am deeply committed to creating a culture of welcome that leads to lasting change. Oxford has a proud tradition of offering sanctuary, and I am honoured to have played a role in securing our accreditation as a Local Authority of Sanctuary. But this is just the beginning. Our action plan is about real, lasting change—ensuring dignity, safety, and belonging for those forced to flee. Working with communities of all faiths and backgrounds is vital, and I look forward to sharing this journey with the Interfaith Forum as we build a city where everyone feels at home.