There are 1000+ asylum seekers in Leicester, living in relative poverty (many in destitution), and suffering from poor health, extreme isolation and loneliness.  The highest number of destitute asylum seekers are in Leicester, Cardiff and London. A Home Office study finds refugees have poorer general & emotional health than the general population; that almost 1/5 report having no friends or family in the UK; and more than half did not have any qualifications. This is a community in desperate need of emotional and practical support. Leicester City of Sanctuary and its services address this need.

Established in 2007, Leicester City of Sanctuary (LCoS) became a registered charity in 2010 and transferred to a CIO in May 2017. The organisation is governed by a board of 8 trustees and has 3 part-time staff and over 90 active volunteers.

LCoS is a member of the UK wide City of Sanctuary network. As an independent charity, we work with the City of Sanctuary UK to encourage welcome for those seeking sanctuary in the UK.

Find out more about our structure, staff and trustees here.