Five years of Lewisham as a Borough of Sanctuary

Lewisham became a Borough of Sanctuary in 2021, marking its commitment to being a place where refugees, asylum seekers and migrants can feel safe, included and able to build their lives.

To mark the five-year milestone, a new exhibition, Refugees at Home in Lewisham, will share stories and experiences from people who have made Lewisham their home, while also reflecting on the work that has taken place across the borough to strengthen welcome, support and belonging.

From commitment to action

Since making that commitment, Lewisham has worked with partners, community groups and people with lived experience to turn the borough’s sanctuary ambitions into practical support. Over the past five years, this has included:

1. Welcoming refugees and people fleeing war: Lewisham fulfilled its commitment to resettle 126 refugee households and welcomed more than 400 Ukrainian nationals fleeing the war in Ukraine, with support across housing, education, healthcare, welfare, employment and community integration.
2. Building strong partnerships: A borough-wide Borough of Sanctuary framework now brings together council services, the NHS, schools, voluntary sector organisations and people with lived experience. The Lewisham Migration Forum and internal Strategy Group have strengthened coordination and collective action.
3. Putting lived experience at the heart of decision-making: Through the Sanctuary Ambassadors programme, 40 ambassadors have helped shape services, influence policy, support grant decision-making and identify priorities for improvement.
4. Improving services and support: Lewisham has developed more tailored advice, employability and therapeutic services, alongside improved signposting through Welcome Resources, to help reduce barriers for refugees, asylum seekers and residents with no recourse to public funds.
5. Investing in welcoming communities: Borough of Sanctuary and Refugee Week grants have supported 56 sanctuary seeker and community-led projects, helping promote inclusion, wellbeing, belonging and community cohesion.

Shaping the next five years

Everyone has a role to play in making Lewisham a welcoming borough. Whether by visiting the exhibition, volunteering locally, supporting refugee-led organisations or creating welcoming spaces in schools, workplaces and community venues, residents can help shape the next five years of welcome in Lewisham.

Refugees at home in Lewisham

The upcoming Refugees at Home in Lewisham exhibition at Manor House Library, will invites residents to hear directly from refugees, asylum seekers and migrants about their experiences of finding safety, building connections and contributing to local life.

As Lewisham marks five years as a Borough of Sanctuary, the exhibition offers an opportunity to reflect on what welcome has meant in practice and how individuals, organisations and communities have helped create a more inclusive borough.

It is also a chance to look ahead. Lewisham wants residents, organisations, schools and businesses to help build on this progress and make welcome part of everyday life across the borough.

Five ways to get involved

There are many ways to support people seeking sanctuary in Lewisham and help shape the next chapter of the borough's sanctuary journey:

• sign the Borough of Sanctuary Pledge
• find out about hosting through Refugees at Home or renting out your spare room through Housing Justice
• volunteer with local organisations supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
• donate to organisations working with people seeking sanctuary
• take simple acts of welcome in your community