Saidul Haque Saeed
Lead Organiser

Canon Gerry Breen recently hosted a special event by Citizens UK at St Chad’s Cathedral to mark four years of community organising to make Birmingham a more welcoming city for refugees and migrant communities.

Citizens UK: Birmingham is an independent civil society alliance of faith, education, trade union and community institutions.

54 leaders from across the city reflected on the successful community organising campaign to resettle Syrian refugees from UN Camps to Birmingham, and recognised Councillors Tristan Chatfield, Waseem Zaffar and Alex Yip with Claire Spencer for their leadership and support.

Pupils from St Francis’ Catholic Primary School in Lozells shared their personal testimonies on being part of a refugee welcome school with Mrs Wade pointing out the school’s excellent SATs results.

Students from the CORE Education Trust presented a brilliant new city project called Echo Eternal, remembering the survivors of the Holocaust and the reflections they have for us.

A host of other Citizens UK leaders shared news on current projects: Community sponsorship, the Business leaders project and the Islam & Public Life Commission.

Three moving personal stories introduced a new campaign, 80 years on.. It’s Our Turn click here - which received the backing of Cllr Tristan Chatfield at Birmingham City Council to take in 80 child refugees on first instance dependent on securing funding from Government.

If you would like to get involved or find out more please email [email protected]