Hastings Community of Sanctuary

Hastings Community of Sanctuary is a grassroots charity set up by local people who believe that everyone deserves to be treated with humanity, compassion and respect, and who are committed to making our town and our country a place of sanctuary for refugees and people seeking asylum. We raise funds to support our work in Hastings and surrounding areas - and that of partners including Hastings Supports Refugees - and raise awareness in our community of the challenges people seeking sanctuary face.

We run community events, including the annual Sanctuary Festival and the People's Boutique, and campaign on local and national issues.

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In Hastings we are often at the forefront of new refugee arrivals to the UK; as a dispersal area for people seeking asylum, as part of the Syrian and Afghan Resettlement Programmes, and by sea as desperate people attempt the dangerous Channel crossing in small boats. We are proud that the town is welcoming to refugees and proactive towards their needs. 

In 2021, with Hastings Supports Refugees, we created an Emergency Response Team, to provide immediate humanitarian aid to people arriving on nearby beaches in small boats, or who are rescued by the wonderful RNLI. After hours at sea, some dry clothes, a hot drink and a friendly face can leave a lasting impression.

The charity is run by volunteers so all donations go directly towards our work. We are part of the national City of Sanctuary network - find out more at hastings.cityofsanctuary.org.

The image for this page is from Sanctuary Festival 2022, which saw 1500 members of our local community come together at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery at the end of Refugee Week in June. 

Thank you for your support