…And we are providing wrap-around support for them, thanks to our superstar volunteers. However, many are deeply traumatised and are absolutely beside themselves with grief and worry due to their loved ones left behind being killed, tortured and threatened with death by the Taliban. There is a government scheme to rescue relatives stranded in Afghanistan, … Continue reading Refugees from Afghanistan are still arriving in our area

H M The Queen has awarded Ellen Thompson, a Sanctuary In Chichester volunteer, the British Empire Medal ‘for services to refugees in Chichester, West Sussex particularly during Covid-19’. Ellen is a long-serving volunteer with the charity and leads on most of our work supporting children. Within a couple of weeks of lockdown beginning, Ellen had … Continue reading Sanctuary In Chichester volunteer awarded the British Empire Medal

Michael was a founding member of Sanctuary in Chichester and brought to it well over two decades of experience of work supporting refugees through what became known as Friends Without Borders in Portsmouth, which he also set up and led across that time. He was Mayor of Chichester from 2009 to 2011 – a citizen … Continue reading Michael Woolley 1944 to 2021

On their recent arrival from Afghanistan some refugee friends expressed enthusiasm for cricket. This was great news, because we’ve mooted the idea of a cricket team for some time, and had some interest from unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (thank you for the feedback foster carers!) but not enough to get started. The new arrivals meant we … Continue reading Cricket Team Pilot Project

And we’re not just talking about the football here! The team are focusing on their career development, and the deepening collaboration with the University of Chichester means that players are able to join courses and training on coaching and event management – several players were recently awarded certificates for completion of the FA Playmaker Coaching … Continue reading Nations United going from strength to strength

Meet Bec Hopkins, who has been volunteering with us as a befriender since Sanctuary was founded, and has recently launched our new women’s group. Bec is an artist and was responsible for our beautiful Welcome Wall at the Refugee Week exhibition. This may have influenced the choice of outings the women’s group has been on … Continue reading New Women’s Group