Sanctuary Hosting is a hosting scheme that provides temporary accommodation for refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants at risk of homelessness across Oxfordshire and Reading by matching them with volunteer hosts who offer a free bed and a warm welcome. This gives guests a chance to tackle the causes of their homelessness. All of our hosts and guests are in turn supported by a team of dedicated volunteers.
You can read more about the service here.
Who is this for?
Asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants.
“Hope there can be places like you everywhere in the world, places where in the middle of nowhere people might find hope and courage to fight for the future.”
– A guest in Reading
What can we offer?
Sanctuary Hosting supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
For our guests who are seeking asylum, getting Home Office accommodation can take time. Hosting can be the ideal stop-gap.
While those people granted refugee status can access services welfare benefits and local authority support, there are difficulties finding private housing because of high rents and big deposits. Hosting gives time to find work and save up, so people can find their own place.
Vulnerable migrants may have fled domestic abuse or modern slavery, and hosting can be a lifeline, the first safe home they experience in the UK, somewhere to shelter while further support is put in place.
Do you need help?
Are you a homeless refugee, asylum seeker or vulnerable migrant in the Thames Valley? Sanctuary Hosting might be able to help with free, safe short-term housing.
Please note that we seek to help people with immediate needs who have no other source of shelter for the coming weeks or months. We seek to find you a room so you can be safe and secure while you sort out what happens next. We are not a housing service and cannot find self–contained (“own front door”) or long–term accommodation for people.
Hosting placements may be anywhere within our region, and we cannot always accommodate guests’ location preferences.
For more information please phone 07926 930848 or email info@sanctuaryhosting.org
You can also download our application form here.