What does it mean to be a Council of Sanctuary? Holding up ideals in times of unrest

Perth and Kinross was granted Council of Sanctuary Status in October 2024, a recognition of the Council’s longstanding commitment to providing a place of refuge to those fleeing war, persecution and other troubles in their home countries.

Despite only receiving official status in 2024, Perth and Kinross has been a place of sanctuary for generations. At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, when around 40 Belgian refugees, including children, arrived in the area and were given a warm welcome by locals.

In recent years, we have welcomed different groups of people to Perth and Kinross seeking sanctuary and have worked with partner agencies to make the area as safe and welcoming as possible for people coming here under extremely difficult circumstances.

More recently, those fleeing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine have been provided refuge in Perth and Kinross, while, more than three years ago, two hotels in Perth began being used as accommodation for people seeking asylum.

While this passed without comment for two years, last year saw the start of protests outside these hotels by those campaigning against so-called illegal immigration.

Elected Members and the Council have taken the lead on countering much of the misinformation and disinformation surrounding people seeking asylum in recent months. Councillors from all groups reaffirmed their commitment to City of Sanctuary status in the wake of the first protests last year.

We updated our Freedom of Information pages to include answers to many of the questions we, and other local authorities, have been receiving about providing accommodation for those seeking asylum, providing facts rather than social media fiction. We have weekly multi-agency meetings with police and partner organisations in the wake of the protests; provide briefing sessions to staff and Elected Members, and have regular communication with third sector and faith groups who provide direct support to those seeking asylum.

But while the hotel protests attract the headlines, the vital work to support those seeking sanctuary has continued, with many people seeking asylum benefiting from the opportunities and support provided to them, including English language learning, food and friendship, advice, advocacy and trauma-informed support and sports and leisure activities.

One of the most popular is the Friendly Welcome Football Programme. This weekly event is run in partnership with our Equalities Team, Leisure Trust Live Active Leisure and the Jeanfield Swifts Community Football Club.

Each week, it welcomes between 30 and 40 participants, offering the chance to play sport and share a vital sense of belonging.

As well as training, participants play in matches and there are plans to support participants through coach education and employability skills, helping them build confidence and pathways into further opportunities.  Some talented players have successfully integrated into local amateur football teams.

Players also received Friendly Welcome League kits, funded through the Home Office People Seeking Asylum Fund. These have become a symbol of pride and unity, worn by participants during matches and weekly sessions.

The scheme has also had parliamentary recognition, with Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart praising it in an address to the Scottish Parliament following a visit to Perth on 26 August as part of the New Scots Leadership Board.

The Minister’s statement highlighted the programme’s role in fostering inclusion and wellbeing among people seeking asylum, with specific mention of the weekly football sessions that have become a key part of community engagement in Perth.

Residents also take part in Council-led leadership courses, which help prepare them for employment in the UK once their claims have been settled, while many others also volunteer with local charities while their asylum claims are being processed.

Perth and Kinross Council also has the longest-running partnership in Scotland with the charity Show Racism the Red Card. Since 2008, they have been delivering anti-racism education workshops in schools in conjunction with the St Johnstone Community Trust.

There are plans to extend this in local secondary schools in 2026 to better inform our young people about the dangers of harmful narratives on social media. The Council is also planning a series of podcasts with hotel residents so people can hear their stories of how and why they sought refuge in Scotland first-hand, away from the frenzy of online chatter. It is intended to launch these to coincide with the Scottish Government’s Community Cohesion week, planned for March.  These new pieces of work came about following a Cohesion Workshop last October involving community and faith groups, council services, partner organisations and those with lived experience of the asylum process.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Eric Drysdale said:

“In practical terms, being a Council of Sanctuary means working together—council, community groups, faith organisations, and individuals—to ensure that everyone, regardless of where they come from, feels safe and valued here.

It means challenging misinformation and prejudice, and standing up for the values that make our community strong.”