About this Event
In March 2026 Hackney was officially recognised as a Borough of Sanctuary, affirming its commitment to offering safety and support to sanctuary seekers. This award comes at a time of rising hate crime and anti-migrant rhetoric nationally, where communities across the borough feel less safe, welcome and included.
Welcome Hackney together with Hackney Libraries and City of Sanctuary have organised a special event to explore what "sanctuary" and “community” mean in Hackney, and to better understand how we can create spaces of connection in a time shaped by division, isolation, and anti-migrant rhetoric.
This workshop invites Hackney residents, community groups and organisers to come together to reflect on what welcome, belonging, and community can look like in practice.
The session will connect national conversations around migration and social cohesion with Hackney’s local experiences and strengths as a diverse, welcoming borough. Together, we’ll explore questions including:
- What does community mean in Hackney today?
- How do we build connection and come together in light of anti-migrant rhetoric?
- How can residents support sanctuary seekers?
- What gaps do residents see in building places of welcome?
Who is this for? Anyone interested in community-building, migration, belonging, and creating a more connected Hackney — no prior knowledge needed.
What to expect:
- Facilitated discussion and reflection
- Local and national context-setting
- Opportunities to connect with others
- Sharing of local community activities and initiatives
- A welcoming and inclusive environment
Event venue & nearby stays
Dalston Clr James Library, Dalston Square, London, United Kingdom
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