The Sanctuary in Arts designation, developed by City of Sanctuary UK and Counterpoint Arts, celebrates arts organisations that work with refugees and asylum seekers, share stories of migration, and foster community cohesion. NCW received the accolade in January 2025 in recognition of our creative engagement initiatives with partners such as New Routes Integration, English+, and The Zainab Project. Key initiatives include:

• Family welcome days and creative writing workshops for young women and families.
• Refugee Week events, including community feasts.
• Community cooking and writing courses in Dragon Hall’s refurbished community kitchen.

Since 2018, NCW has opened its doors — both digitally and in person — to individuals and groups seeking to share their stories, explore creative writing, and build meaningful connections. Guided by our core values of collaboration and inclusivity, the organisation has become a vital hub of creativity and community support for Norwich and beyond.

Peggy Hughes, CEO of NCW, said:

‘It’s an honour for NCW to be recognised as a Place of Sanctuary and to stand alongside so many partners in Norwich who are working to ensure the city remains the welcoming place it has always proudly been.

‘While we are rooted in Norwich at our beautiful Dragon Hall, we are open to the world. As England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, we take our place on the international stage alongside our fellow cities, but we also take seriously our commitment to the internationalism on our doorstep.

‘This recognition inspires us to continue creating space and offering a warm welcome to the stories of those who have come from elsewhere to make Norwich their home.’

Dragon Hall is temporarily closed for winter maintenance but will reopen three days a week from Sunday 6 April 2025, inviting families, creatives, neighbours, tourists, and community members to explore its offerings. New free drop-in hours will run from 10am to 4pm, Sunday to Tuesday, continuing through November 2025.

A series of free Family Activity Days will be held on Monday 17 February, Sunday 23 February, Sunday 9 March, Sunday 16 March, and Sunday 23 March, from 11am to 3pm at Dragon Hall. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to drop in and discover the rich history of the building and its evolving uses over time. The events will feature engaging activities with professional creative facilitators, including storytelling, crafts, and games designed for all ages.

As Dragon Hall reopens, NCW reaffirms its commitment to being a sanctuary for all, offering free drop-in hours, family activities, and community-focused programming designed to bring people together. Plans for the year include a community feast and courses designed to foster collaboration between residents, businesses, and refugee and asylum seekers across Norfolk. These initiatives are supported by The Linbury Trust and Norwich Freemen’s Charity.

NCW’s Family Activity Days are kindly supported by Norwich Freemen’s Charity. Refugee & asylum seeker activities are supported by The Linbury Trust. ‘Stepping into Dragon Hall’ (2023–24) was made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery Players.