As the festive season approached, Sanctuary in Chichester witnessed a flurry of activities and heartwarming developments at the hotel and beyond. These are just some of the things that have been happening:
Transforming the Children’s Play Area
Thanks to the generous support of Children on the Edge, the children’s play area at the hotel underwent a big transformation. The efforts in furnishing and equipping the space have made a remarkable difference. Sarah, Judith and the team from Children on the Edge worked with parents to clear out the area then install the new equipment and zones for different types of play. The area now boasts a corner for homework and a table football setup, catering to the diverse needs and interests of the children. The improvements have made the space more functional and enjoyable, providing a comfortable and engaging environment for all of the younger residents and their parents. Before Children on the Edge handed over the play area to residents, they established a system to support parents with looking after the area, so it can hopefully be maintained as a welcoming space for all the children who would otherwise be confined to hotel rooms and don’t have their own toys. Parents were previously struggling to know what to do with their young children without toys or tablets to play with, so the new play area will make a big difference to families’ everyday lives. The Mayor visited the hotel in December and had glowing comments on the play area…
Child’s Play Area: Before
Child’s Play Area: Now!
Festive Creativity: Christmas Tree Decoration Session
James Field (Volunteer Coordinator at the hotel) led a special Christmas tree decoration session one Saturday and was assisted by his daughters. This event brought together residents of the hotel where participants of all ages joined in to make decorations and then adorn the tree with them, turning it into a symbol of the community’s collective spirit and festive cheer.
A Season of Giving and Gratitude
The season was marked by generous gestures, such as the Rotary Clubs’ donation of presents for the children of many of the families in our community. Our dedicated volunteers also wrapped and delivered these gifts, along with those donated by Wave 105 radio station for the children living at the hotel.
We also helped facilitate the Ukrainian Christmas celebration organised by Choir Volya. The event featured traditional singing, dancing, and crafts, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of our local Ukrainian community. Additionally, the Winter Wonderland workshops in Priory Park’s Guildhall, made accessible to our Beneficiaries thanks to Caroline Sharman-Mendoza at Culture Spark, provided a creative outlet for families to engage in festive arts and crafts.
New Year Celebrations
After a couple of weeks’ festive break, we returned with a New Year Celebration at the first drop-in of 2024. The afternoon began quietly but soon became lively thanks to lots of music and dancing. Choir Volya’s beautiful (as always!) performance was followed by a ukulele band, with many attendees singing along, before the event concluded with traditional English circle dancing.
And finally….the Christmas Thank You Drinks!
We held Christmas drinks as a thank you to the volunteers for all their work and achievements over the year. Trustees at the event expressed how grateful they and the organisation are for all that the volunteers do and the huge difference they make to people’s lives.