In early autumn we had two big events; the 2nd* brithday party of our drop-in and the Annual General Meeting.

Drop-In 2nd Birthday Party, 16th September 2019

All our regular drop-in attendees – service users and volunteers – came together to produce a superb buffet. The hall was decorated, including with a chain of paper hand cut-outs that local children had decorated with messages of welome, children put on singing performances and we had a birthday cake. It was one of the singers’ birthdays too.

Mary Downy (below right) runs the drop-in and had organised the party beautifully. What a star!

* Correction from the newsletter that said it was the drop-in’s 3rd birthday.

Annual General Meeting, 8th October 2019

Our AGM went really well – the hall was packed with our supporters, service users, volunteers and those wanting to find out more about our work.

Tony Tonyton, Chair of Sanctuary in Chichester, got straight down to businesses with passing motions and appointing trustees. With the official bits out of the way, he moved on to a presentation in English and Arabic (thank you Waleed for interpreting) about our planned work and projects, and how they support our strategic aims – i.e. to support refugees and asylum seekers to build their new lives and fully integrate into their new communities.

Tony outlined ways that people can really make a difference and volunteer with us.

We also heard from Roger Pask, our previous Chair, about work in 2019 leading up to Tony’s appointment. He then presented Nations United football Team Captain Jelani with a book on football signed by several famous football figures who feature in the book. This was in recognition of all Jelani’s hard work and guidance on our flagship football project, which was his idea and which is enjoying huge success.

Then it was time for tea and cakes – Tony’s wife Tracey had spent days baking piles of fabulous cupcakes, brownies, scones (with jam and clotted cream) and more, that were very much appreciated by everybody!

Thank you to those who participated and to those who signed up to volunteer.