It’s five years since Sanctuary in Chichester became an official registered charity, so we’ve been working on a report covering our impact so far. The report will be out soon, but here’s a taster of some of the highlights in the meantime: 

Those We Support
Since May 2019, we have actively supported around 600 refugees. This includes approximately 200 refugees currently living in the community, 200 asylum-seekers accommodated at any one time at a local hotel, and 20 Ukrainian refugees facing challenges in supporting themselves.

Employment and Volunteering
We currently employ four staff members and are supported by 125 active volunteers, including 10 trustees, who all reside within the local area. This network of dedicated individuals is crucial to our operations and the delivery of our services.

Educational Advancement Through to Independence
Our educational support extends to 93 children from beneficiary families, with 64 attending local schools. In 2023, we introduced the Pathways to Independence Programme, which has already supported 51 beneficiaries in developing personalised plans for education, training, and employment, with the long-term goal of independence from state and charity support.

Fundraising and Community Projects
Since our inception, we have raised £405,420 through grants from Charitable Trusts and The National Lottery Community Fund. These funds, in addition to covering staffing costs, are reinvested in the local community through employment, services, and direct support to our beneficiaries.