How Preston's Harris Museum plans to make refugees and asylum seekers feel more welcome

The city landmark, which reopened in September after a £19m facelift, is applying to become a ‘Museum of Sanctuary’.

The title is conferred by the City of Sanctuary network, which aims to create safe and inviting spaces for people fleeing violence and persecution – and of which Preston has long been a part.

A recent meeting of Preston City Council’s cabinet was told that The Harris already fulfils many of the requirements necessary to be badged as a sanctuary – including by “promoting diversity” through its collections, displays and events programme and via its engagement with the local community.

A report presented to members also highlighted the Grade II-listed attraction’s “learning initiatives”, volunteering opportunities and free internet access. It also noted the City of Sanctuary’s recognition of “the value” msueums can offer by “welcoming vulnerable groups, especially new arrivals from diverse communities”.

In order to achieve sanctuary status for the museum, the city council has to commit The Harris to working towards the values and principles of the City of Sanctuary Charter by signing up as a supporting organisation – a move that was backed by the cabinet.

The programmes and collection team will now consider how they can more deeply ingrain those principles – and the museum will have to produce a plan built around the concept of “learn, embed and share” in order to do so. The next round of applications have to be submitted by early April.

In a statement to the Lancashire Post, Cllr Anna Hindle, cabinet member for culture and arts at Preston City Council: “The Harris is pleased to have received [cabinet] members’ approval to apply to the Museum of Sanctuary scheme.

“Following a request from City of Sanctuary UK, this approval enables us to formally progress our application and reflects our commitment to the principles and values of the City of Sanctuary movement.”