With the support and seed funding from Sheffield City Council; Stand & Be Counted Theatre and City of Sanctuary Sheffield welcomed four brilliant people to the Sanctuary 2027 project team. Muetesim Abdel and Salma Mohamed share the role of Community Inspiration Coordinator and afshan d’souza’lodhi and Alfie Heffer share the role of Programme Development Producer.

The Sanctuary 2027 team are hard at work meeting with communities and organisations to dream up and carefully plan an ambitious year long celebration and commitment to sanctuary in the city. 

Want to know more and how to get involved? Read more below!

  • Our unchanging vision

    We have a vision for a city that is safe and welcoming for people seeking sanctuary.  A city:

    • Where our communities are strong

    • Where everyone is welcomed and valued

    • Where we affirm this stance with courage and compassion

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and half circle lines.

    Our History and our Opportunity

    2027 is 20 years since Sheffield became the first city of sanctuary in the UK; sparking a movement that has spread across the country.

    We were bold then and we can be bold now.  In 2027 we have a chance to reaffirm and re-establish our commitment to being a place of safety and welcome and to do that with joy and power.

  • Sanctuary 27

    We envisage a dispersed, year-long, community-led celebration and reaffirmation of Sanctuary in Sheffield.  

    A celebration that everyone in the city can be part of and a pioneering reaffirmation of our collective commitment to being a place of safety and welcome.

Sanctuary 2027 team