Sanctuary Hosting Information

We help refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants find options for independent living across the Thames Valley. We will match destitute asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to people in the community with spare rooms and open hearts, to stay rent free for an agreed period of time. The idea for “Sanctuary Hosting” came at the Refugees Welcome demonstration in Oxford, in July 2015. In his speech to the crowd our founder Wyon Stansfeld asked, who would be willing to open up their home to a refugee or migrant in need? The response was startling. Many people volunteered. And so our service began. In 2016 Sanctuary Hosting, along with the British Red Cross and Citizens Advice Reading, won funding from the Big Lottery to provide support to refugees and vulnerable migrants across the Thames Valley. In 2017 Sanctuary Hosting became a registered UK charity. We welcome donations and recruit hosts and support-worker volunteers throughout the year.