Sanctuary in Chichester recently had the honour of hosting the City Mayor and Mayoress at the new hotel accommodation.

The Mayor and Mayoress, photo courtesy of Ali Gaudion

A Warm Reception
The City Mayor and Mayoress, Craig and Judy Gershater, were welcomed by both the staff and beneficiaries towards the end of December, when they were able to get an understanding of the support systems that were being established and the care that was being provided.

Reflecting on the visit, the Mayor said, “The Mayoress and I were very happy to receive an invitation to meet with the beneficiaries at the hotel. Both Judy and I were very impressed with the facilities that are being provided, both for the adults and the children. We were particularly impressed with the educational provision for the younger children, the nursery, the creche, and the overall care provided by the staff and volunteers from the hotel.“

A big thank you to Sarah, Judith and the team at Children on the Edge for transforming the children’s play area and setting up systems that support residents to look after this important space. (Read more about their work on the play area here…)

A Testament to Community Support
The visit highlighted the collaborative efforts of the hotel staff, volunteers, and local organisations like Sanctuary in Chichester and Children on the Edge in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the refugees. It was a reaffirmation of the community’s dedication to helping these individuals and families as they start their new lives in the UK. The mayor added, “The welcome received from Chichester will benefit them in their future endeavours in the U.K. We send them every good wish.”