Our Steering Group is comprised of representatives from local groups, faith communities, schools, universities, businesses, refugees and individuals.
It’s an initiative by people living in the city who are committed to be game changers and help make Bristol proud to be a place of safety.
We hope to stimulate opportunities for those seeking sanctuary to participate fully in the life of this city.
Our Vision
The Group shares the national movement’s vision of "building a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary (asylum seekers and refugees) in the UK."
The Steering Committee
1. June Burrough, Chair, Founder and Director, the Pierian Centre
2. The Reverend Canon Tim Higgins, the City Canon, Bristol Cathedral
3. Fr Richard McKay, St Nicholas Tolentino
4. Lorraine Ayensu, Team Manager, Asylum Support & Refugee Integration Team, Bristol City Council
5. Elinor Harris, Area Manager, Refugee Action, Bristol
6. Dr Christien van den Anker, Reader, University of the West of England
7. Caroline Beatty, Co-ordinator, Bristol Refugee Rights
8. Latif Ismail, Somali Group and Transparency International
9. Claire Stein, Deputy Manager (Development) Refugee Action, Bristol
10. Naomi Millner, Bristol Hospitality Network
11. Robert Porteus, Trustee, Bristol Refugee Rights
12. Valerie Russell Emmott, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum
13. Alistair Beattie, Chief Executive, Faithnetsouthwest
14. Hanna Saastamoinen, Team Administrator, Refugee Action, Bristol
15. Mohammed Elshariff, Sudanese Association
16. Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, UWE Refugee Hub
17. Bryony Hutt, President, Student Action for Refugees, Bristol University Group
18. Hazel Stark, Co-ordinator, Refugee Women of Bristol
19. Maria Mapwashike, Bristol Zimbabwe Association
20. Rosa Ross, Anglo-Iranian Society, Bristol
