On 4th December, a celebration event took place in the Banqueting Suite of the Council House to mark Birmingham’s tenth birthday as a City of Sanctuary. The Leader of the Council, the Mayor, councillors, and representatives from many community groups took took part in an evening of music, dance, and theatre. 245 children from schools across the city had submitted designs for badges to mark the occasion, and badges based on the two winning designs were given to every participant. The chair of our local committee spoke about the first steps towards becoming a City of Sanctuary which were taken back in 2013, and how the movement had grown and blossomed. A choir from one of our primary Schools of Sanctuary welcomed us at the beginning, and we heard from pupils at another awarded primary school. The refugee-based group Stories of Hope and Home presented a powerful drama confirming that the hospitality and welcome which people receive here are what makes people feel at home, settle and flourish.