Founded in 2010 by Sister Margaret Walsh, St. Chad's Sanctuary is a charity based in the heart of Birmingham, England, which provides temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. Every day, it strives to make their lives easier.
Around ten euros a week: that's how much the new arrivals have to spend on essentials such as telephone calls, travel tickets and clothes. St. Chad's Sanctuary supplements this as far as it can: a room fitted out as a shop allows them to come and choose clothes, shoes, bags, etc. as well as food and hygiene items. 'These are just basic necessities, but we do this because we believe that the dignity of every person should be at the heart of the services we offer,’ explains Abi Martin, President of St. Chad's Sanctuary. 'We offer English classes, informal play time and walks, which allow them to make friends and discover the local area. In addition, we have an outreach team who help people living in the hotel. We continue to welcome people who are awaiting a decision on their asylum application, a procedure that often takes several years before they can be granted refugee status.'
An important visit
To carry out its missions, the organisation relies on a large team of volunteers of different nationalities, origins and faiths. Among them are three Franciscan friars. They invited Brother Eunan, coordinator of Franciscans International's Europe programme, to discover the work of St. Chad's Sanctuary. It was an important visit for the organisation: the Franciscans International global community plays a special role at the United Nations in Geneva, where it advocates respect for the rights and dignity of marginalised people around the world. Following this fruitful exchange, Abi Martin was invited to speak at the United Nations, at the 56th session of the Human Rights Council. She explains: ‘I was asked to present, in response to the latest report by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Franciscans International's statement calling for the repeal of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 and the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024 - a request that has still not been acted upon, despite the change of government that has taken place since the statement was drafted.'
In Geneva
'My week in Geneva left a deep impression on me,’ she continues, still moved, ’and made me aware of the scale of the needs of refugees worldwide. The invitation to speak at the UN Human Rights Council was a wonderful recognition of the work done by the teams at St. Chad's Sanctuary and, by extension, of the Infant Jesus Sisters, who founded the charity and continue to support it so generously, both financially and through the hard work of our founder, godmother and trustee, Sr Margaret.'
And while Abi regrets the difficulties experienced in recent weeks in the UK in welcoming migrants, which have resulted in unrest and riots, she testifies to the determination of St. Chad's Sanctuary to continue its mission: welcome to all!
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