Newsletter - December 2024

Dear friend,

I begin my first newsletter as Chair, thanking our outgoing Chair Malcolm Little for his leadership throughout the last five years. He organised the very first meetings regarding City of Sanctuary and is driven by his passion to stand up for those who are not able to. Malcolm has been instrumental in building the strong foundation we now have within the charity and remains a Trustee on the Board, providing valuable support and guidance.

I am pleased to welcome three new Trustees; Samet Chering-Alves who is an OISC Level 3 immigration advisor, James Kirby who is a barrister and Claire Perry who lecturers in journalism at the University of Portsmouth. Read here about the new team members.

As we near the end of the year, I reflect on the many supporters that have stood alongside PCoS to help sanctuary seekers across the city. I would like to thank them for the work they do as individuals, community groups, organisations, faith groups, charities or statutory services. It has been a tumultuous year for the refugee sector fraught with uncertainty, hostility and at times it has been unpredictable and bleak. I honestly believe holding onto values such as kindness, community and compassion will result in us being a City of Sanctuary for all. See our Values and Vision.

As I write this message, I contemplate the kindness of others. Many years ago, I met a family who are originally from Nigeria. Unfortunately, they were facing destitution and hardship in the city. However, they are now stable having received multiagency support and advice and have gone on to open their own restaurant. This family run business is led by Toyosi David and Cornelius David who opened Toyosi Kitchen in 2021, which is adding to the local economy amongst the bustling and busy multi-cultural area of Fawcett Road. They are now one of our many supporters who give freely and have been providing Nigerian food - Jallof rice and chicken - at least 70 portions, once a month to our Refugee Hub. They are a testament to ‘giving back’ to the city.

Additionally, our work at PCoS is only possible because of the many volunteers who give up their time to support displaced people. These volunteers are at the centre of having courageous conversations and comforting those with no hope, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of them.

We have launched a new PCoS Donation Campaign on the Big Give and PCoS websites for £30,000 that will put funds to good use in projects delivering wellbeing, arts, sports, welcome boxes, training and volunteering. Your donation, however big or small, can really make a difference to people’s lives.

I wish you all a fantastic festive break and a Happy New Year on behalf of all of us here at PCoS.

Kind regards
Shamila Dhana
PCoS Chair of Trustees

Visit our website

Volunteers

PCoS volunteers at We Shine festival

Thank you to our PCoS Action Asylum refugee volunteers who took part in the We Shine Festival at Treadgolds in Southsea. one000plateaus produced Rituals for Earthly Survival — a unique, live art, immersive experience celebrating the beauty, wisdom, and resilience of the forest. This audiovisual journey took you deep into an enchanted woodland space, where light, sound, and movement come together to remind us of our deep connection to the natural world.⁠

Join our team of volunteers at Portsmouth City of Sanctuary

News

Young refugee wins award
Maheep Kaur has won the Portsmouth City of Sanctuary award for the ‘Outstanding Young Person’ at this year’s URBOND youth awards ceremony. Maheep is a refugee who fled the Taliban with her parents and sisters.

Rural Refugee Network
The Network launched the NEST project at St Luke's Church. Through workshops, English lessons, skill-building sessions, and community events NEST encourages independence, cultural exchange, and mutual support among the youth. We were delighted to see PCoS clients catering for the event as part of the PCoS Kitchen of Hope project.

Supporting Migrant Women
This impact report focuses on the challenges faced by migrant women suffering gender violence. It showcases the support given by PCoS, resulting in women feeling empowered as full members of Portsmouth’s community.

Council of Sanctuary
Portsmouth City Council signed a pledge at an event with community leaders, to work towards becoming a 'Council of Sanctuary'. The role requires accreditation and will see the council coordinating and facilitating close communication and making the best of use of citywide resources.

Donations

Many thanks to Portsmouth Grammar School, Engendering Change and St Simon’s Church for their generous donations and to Christ Central for their ongoing monthly donation.

PCoS fundraising campaign 2024-2025

Portsmouth City of Sanctuary (PCoS) aims to make a difference to the lives of people fleeing persecution. We're experts at making these people feel welcome and without state funding, we need a bigger purse to provide the fantastic services we offer.

Please make a secure online donation to our award-winning grass-roots humanitarian organisation helping local asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, via the Big Give website. You will have the opportunity to include Gift Aid. Thank you!

DONATE

Events

PCoS Training opportunities

Next year we will be hosting several webinars focusing on Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) in partnership with VISTA, and commissioned by Portsmouth City Council.

Please follow us on PCoS Eventbrite for booking details

Refugee Week 2025

16–22 June 2025, the theme being ‘Community as Superpower’. Community is the incredible everyday. Ordinary and extraordinary. Simple acts of shared generosity. Kindness multiplied to become an unstoppable force!

Please follow us on PCoS Eventbrite for booking details

Baton of Hope Tour 2025

The Baton of Hope Tour 2025 is coming to Portsmouth on 26 September. The Baton of Hope is the UK’s largest ever suicide prevention initiative. Would you like to carry the Baton of Hope? See here for details.

Please follow Baton of Hope

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