Hospitality, Vulnerability and Resilience

An Introduction to Working with Refugees and People with Lived Experience

In today’s world marked by divisions, siloed thinking and hostile attitudes towards sanctuary seekers, there is little time or space to reflect on practices to mobilise local communities and organisations to improve the lives of refugees and people with lived experience.

• What are your key drivers and obstacles to working with newcomers?
• Can you involve people with lived experience in co-creating services?
• Can we develop resilient partnerships to deliver hospitality and social justice?

This course offers collaborative training for people working with refugees and migrants who are interested in supporting and empowering people seeking sanctuary and volunteers in today's context of increased hostility and prejudice towards newcomers.

WHO IS THIS FOR? The course is designed for faith communities and civil society groups, refugee and grassroots organisations, practitioners, people with lived experience, researchers - and anyone interested in working with sanctuary seekers in local and national settings.

HOW WILL YOU LEARN? The course consists of 3 modules running over 3 weeks. Each module includes individual study, practical tasks and group work. You can complete each week at your own pace and in your own time. All activities and learning will take place online and take no more than 2-3 hours per week.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? In our fast-moving world, the course offers you space for reflection, practical tools, and collaborative learning to help you and your organisation become better hosts, advocates and allies. You will engage with other organisations, volunteers and sanctuary seekers to evaluate practices and challenge barriers to hospitality. You will explore innovative case studies, values and practices from:

• William Temple Foundation, City of Sanctuary UK, HIAS +JCORE, Preston City of Sanctuary, PAN Intercultural Arts, Ukrainian Youth Project Lewisham and others

WHAT WILL YOU ACHIEVE? By the end of the course, you will be able to:

1. Understand motivations and benefits of engaging in refugee welfare, social justice and hospitality.
2. Evaluate power relations, biases and vulnerabilities to develop a self-reflective approach to hospitality.
3. Learn about co-creating resilient partnerships to support sanctuary seekers and amplify their voices in local and national contexts.
4. Engage with innovative case studies and resources from different organisations to share information and mobilise members of your own group or community.

WHO WILL YOU LEARN WITH?

Dr Katya Braginskaia is Digital Learning Lead at the William Temple Foundation, currently based at the Faiths & Civil Society Unit in Goldsmiths, University of London. She specialises in developing research and online training in religion and migration, hospitality and integration, and co-production with organisations working with sanctuary seekers.

For more information about the course, please contact katya@williamtemplefoundation.org.uk 

*** To make the course accessible, we offer a limited number of subsidised places at £25.00 for anyone who is unemployed, on a minimum wage, or has limited funds. If you’d like to apply, please email us — places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Book your place today and join others in re-imagining society where the voices of sanctuary seekers are heard and their rights protected! 

This Course is Accredited with: