Sanctuary Village

We are delighted to be welcoming a range of organisations and charities to Solent to share how together they are supporting communities seeking sanctuary across the city.

The sanctuary village will also provide information on how Solent is supporting refugees and those seeking asylum in accessing further education and will showcase our recent live brief ‘Hopes & Dreams’ which was deliver by Level 6 Acting and Musical Performance students last semester.

Attending organisations include:

• Solent STAR Society – Part of the STAR national charity supporting asylum seekers and refugees. They are a group of students working towards campaigning to improve the lives of refugees and educate people about those seeking sanctuary both globally and locally within our city. Solent STAR students’ campaign for a future where Britain provides a truly safe haven for those fleeing persecution.
• CLEAR (City Life Education and Action for refugees) – Woven into the fabric of the city’s support network for asylum seekers and refugees, CLEAR works in collaboration with other organisations to improve advocacy, education, and empowerment for those communities’ seeking sanctuary. They assist those arriving to the city with the processes associated with claiming asylum, offer English courses and other adult learning, employment advice and volunteering opportunities.
• Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG) – Is a local charity which is run solely by volunteers who befriend and support asylum seekers and refugee in the Southampton area. They offer a range of services which includes financial assistance to those who are homeless and/or destitute, one-to-one English teaching, social activities to build help build new friendships, and legal guidance.
• Saints Foundation - Active Through Football – Is an initiative which provides residents to get moving with fun, free, football-based activities, and offers specific sessions for those seeking sanctuary within the city.
• TOUCH - Telling stories, touching lives – Is a Community Interest Company which shares and celebrates everyday community stories of resilience. Providing a platform for individuals and groups to share and hear stories, enabling positive change in communities, and in NHS and social care environments.
• World Stages Now – Is a volunteer led community organisation which provides performers, writers, directors, musicians, and dancers who are seeking asylum or who are recently recognised refugees the opportunity to create and perform pieces of original theatre exploring issues which come from personal experiences.
• Southampton Central Library – Provides a range of activities to bring communities together and services to support the development English language skills. The Library also encourages asylum seekers to explore books in their own language offering a free library card.
• Breakout Youth – Is an independent charity based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which offers a confidential support service for young people aged 11 to 25, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or unsure of their sexuality or gender identity.
• #RefugeesWelcome: Sport as a Vehicle for Change – Research project by Solent Lecturer Shakiba Moghadam which highlights how sports can play a vital role in welcoming people seeking sanctuary to their host community and power of the sports in bringing people together during times of crisis.