Borough of Sanctuary Grants Programme

Join our community panel

We are looking for people who have come to Islington to start new lives, as refugees, people seeking asylum or migrants to join our community panel and help decide how a £500,000 grant can best support community action to welcome people seeking sanctuary.

Apply online by Friday 4 October. The application process will include a simple form and a phone conversation to help each applicant decide if the project is right for them and help us to decide who to invite to the panel. If you have any questions, email: BOS@islington.gov.uk. 

Join the panel

About the Sanctuary Grants Community Panel

Islington Council have £500,000 of Government funding to deliver a community-focused grants programme that supports refugees, migrants and residents seeking asylum in the borough.  

The community panel will work with the council to shape the grant and help make decisions on how the funding is spent. Working in partnership with refugee, migrant and asylum-seeking communities will enable us to:

• further develop our understanding of the needs of those seeking sanctuary in our borough
• make more informed decisions together
• ensure funding decisions are made with, and by the communities the funding aims to support. 

Eligibility

We aim to recruit 15 panel members and welcome applications from those who:

• live, study or access services in Islington, or have been / are being supported by Islington Council services 
• have experience of seeking sanctuary as a refugee, migrant or person seeking asylum 
• are over the age of 18 years
• can commit to participating in the full programme
• are interested in the aims of the Sanctuary Grants Programme.  

Panel members do not need any previous experience to take part.  You do not need to be fluent in English, but you will need conversational English and some reading skills.

Expected commitment

Panel members will be asked to commit to training sessions and meetings over a six-month period from October 2024 to March 2025. Panel members should expect to attend approximately 10 meetings over a six-month period from October 2024 to March 2025 on Tuesdays 10am to 12pm.

Islington Council will cover the cost of public transport and provide refreshments at panel meetings and activities. We can also support panel members with accessibility requirements and provide support for panel members with young children to participate.

Successful panel members will be required to attend the following meetings:

• Training sessions - working together to shape the grants programme, including training on how to assess and grade grants applications:
  • Tuesday 22 October
  • Tuesday 5, 12, 26 November
  • Tuesday 3, 10 December.
• Panel meetings will take place between February to March 2025, exact dates to be confirmed. During these meetings, you'll work with panel members to assess grant applications and make decisions on funding.

Benefits of taking part in the programme

Panel members will:

• receive training, gain new experiences and skills development  
• meet new people and make new connections
  
• make your voices heard by making decisions on how funding is spent to support refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum in Islington 
  
• panel members will be compensated for their time and involvement in the project. For those who are not able to receive payments - we will work with each individual to identify a reward and recognition offer that best suits their needs and circumstances.