Stand & Be Counted

Culture Commons has been providing ongoing pro bono policy support to Stand and Be Counted Theatre Company (SBC) - the first Theatre Company of Sanctuary in the UK - working with people seeking sanctuary (refugees, migrants and asylum seekers) to challenge 'hostile environment' policy at the Home Office.

We’ve first audited SBC’s creative programme to identify where there was cross-over with ongoing policy dialogue at the national level. We then devised and deployed a targeted campaign for the resumption of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, sending a series of widely supported open letters to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary and Culture Secretary on behalf of SBC.

We identified strategic partners such as the Theatre Companies of Sanctuary network and Refugee Action to work with us to draw up concrete policy recommendations to influence the UK Government ahead of a 2021 Comprehensive Spending Review, including around a more appropriate allocation of English as a Second Language (ESOL) funds.

Culture Commons secured SBC front page coverage in The Stage (the leading in-print and digital sector news outlet) and the i newspaper, helping to raise funds and keep their work with people seeking refuge and asylum going.