Our Services

Friday Gathering

A key offering to people seeking asylum is our gathering on Friday mornings run from All Souls Church. It offers a number of important services:

  • Translation: Volunteer translators, using multiple languages, help people to get the most from the Sanctuary opportunities.

  • Immigration Signposting: The law and practicalities of seeking asylum are bewildering. Free expert signposting is on hand to support people to understand their situation, what they need to do, and what they should not do.

  • Signposting: Support is provided to direct people to help such as GPs, mental health support, community projects, English conversation classes and volunteering opportunities.

  • Refreshments: Food is available provided through the Fare Share scheme.

  • Social Space: Games and conversational space to mingle.

  • Ladies Room: Gives our female clients an opportunity find their voices in a supported environment and offers a therapeutic stitch project.

  • Bikes: In association with Sustrans, a service providing and repairing bikes so that clients can have their own transport.

  • Art Table: Art can be informal, but the therapeutic space allows people to show how they feel without words.

  • External Agencies: Providing opportunities for other agencies to engage with clients e.g. Refugee Employability Programme, Health in Mind, Vandu Bilingual Advocacy.

Weekly Support

Outside of these fixed Friday sessions, Sanctuary Eastbourne also provides support through the week as needed or as opportunities arise. For example:

  • Walk and Talk Sessions: delivering social, cultural and linguistic support whilst providing accompanied exercise outdoors, building social and linguistic confidence.

  • Co-ordinating volunteering opportunities: placements with local organisations such as St Wilfrid’s Hospice and the Gather Community Garden which can provide a sense of purpose and access to vital experience and skills development.  

  • Supporting healthcare journeys: helping people navigate the system to access healthcare particularly GP surgeries, prescriptions and dentists.  

  • Organising sporting activities: opportunities to play football, go to a boxing club or attend football matches helps them to develop interests and skills as well as to socialise with the local community in a positive way.

English Classes

We run functional English classes (with a focus on communication). Experienced TEFL teachers focus on functional English, for example how to buy food, use transport, describe common ailments and where to buy medicines. They also focus on cultural awareness through language.