A ‘Community of Sanctuary’
welcome, care and sanctuary for all who live in our town
City of Sanctuary is a national movement, made up of local organisations, community groups, businesses and individuals, who are together building a culture of welcome, support and hospitality for all people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Its goal is to create a network of towns and cities throughout the country which strive to be places of safety, and where people seeking sanctuary are fully part of the local community.
We joined the City of Sanctuary movement in 2017 and decided to call ourselves Hastings Community of Sanctuary, as it reflects the strong community support in the town for refugees and people seeking asylum. In November 2022 we became Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered by the Charities Commission. Hastings Community of Sanctuary grew out of local community group Hastings Supports Refugees, which now sits under the umbrella of HCoS. Both groups are run by volunteers.
HCoS works to raise awareness of the issues facing refugees and people seeking asylum, runs collections for essential items and raises funds to support people in Hastings and overseas. Projects include the annual Sanctuary Festival, The People’s Boutique, the Beach Response Team (with Hastings Supports Refugees) and the Sanctuary Awards Scheme.
We campaign on national issues such as Lift the Ban (to enable people seeking asylum to work which they are currently not allowed to do), End Indefinite Immigration Detention, and opposing the Nationalities & Borders Act which includes the plan to deport refugees to Rwanda.
Keep up to date via the Facebook page we share with Hastings Supports Refugees, and on Twitter.
Show your support by signing the HCoS Pledge here.
If you’re interested in volunteering with us, contact [email protected]
Latest News – see our News and Blog page
Charity no. 1200852