Want to help support asylum seekers and refugees in Pembrokeshire?

Want to volunteer?

There's a wide range of roles, working face to face with asylum seekers or behind the scenes

Want to donate?

From clothes to phones, bikes to books, we can make use of all sorts of things to help support Penally

Help someone volunteer?

Help us get to know them so that we can find their perfect fit

Already working with us?

Access resources to support you in your volunteering role

Our partners...

The Heart

The Heart gives the asylum seekers at Penally dignity and comfort by providing them with their choice of essential personal possessions such as warm clothes, shoes and toiletries

County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

CoSP offers vital respite from life in Penally Camp and a bridge to start integrating with our community, through Sanctuary Days, English lessons, sports, music, art and other activities

News from The Heart

2 months ago

We could not help the guys living in Penally Camp without the incredible efforts of our local and not-so-local donors.
Since we started taking in donations and sorting them in The Heart warehouse we've received van🚐 and car🚙 loads upon van🚛 and car🚗 loads of your kindness.
But alas, there are many items that we simply couldn't use for one reason or another.
The excess items were filling all the empty space we had in the warehouse and we didn't know what to do.
Until, by chance we heard of a struggling to stay afloat Cylch Meithrin🤸‍♂️👯‍♂️🤹👩‍👧‍👦.
They were collecting second hand clothes to be collected by Bag2School
The organisation Bag2School sends clothes to disadvantaged countries🌍🌎🌏 and gives the collector of the clothes
Money💸 on the weight⚖️ of the clothing collected.

💡Sounds like we had a plan 💡
So we shot a few van loads of your aid over to the meithrin.

💐The aid you donated and we couldn't use, along with the items donated by the parents and local community to the Meithrin raised £462 for the pretty little preschool💐.

We'd very much like to thank Liz and the wonderful staff at Cylch Meithrin a Ti a Fi Ffynnonwen for their great help and lovely work nurturing our community's cleaver young souls and minds.

❤️ Kindness makes the world go round folks❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

Everything in ❤️The Heart❤️ warehouse has been quarantined for 72 hours⌛ before we touch/sort it.

We then have a video call.
Once the items have been chosen, packed and date labled🏷️, checked against our records, loaded into the vans, driven to the camp, unloaded into one of the distribution offices it then sits for another 72⏳ hours, untouched.

Everything ordered by the residents is now on site.

3 days after we have delivered the items, the camp distribute your carefully checked, sorted, sized, chosen, packed and delived donations.

Thank you all for your care and support for the Penally chaps❤️

If you would like to support the guys further, here the link to the fundraiser❤️

https://www.facebook.com/donate/795912997660323/?fundraiser_source=external_url ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

Since the opening of Penally Initial Accommodation centre in September 2020 The Heart has had a lot of trial and error to get the system right.
Lots of random obstacles, hurdles to jump and a lot to learn.
But we reckon we've got the system we created locked down now.

Look at those ❤️ers go!

If you'd like to donate, here's the link to the fundraiser ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/donate/795912997660323/?fundraiser_source=external_url ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

With your 💷 donations we bought big suitcase/holdall bags. And last week we set about filling them with orders and then delivering the bags to Penally Army Barracks.

Every video call we make with a resident takes anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes.
..... Its been a looooong old week😊 but a productive one.

If you'd like to donate click here.
❤️
https://www.facebook.com/donate/795912997660323/?fundraiser_source=external_url ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

We'd like to show you how your brilliant donations are chosen by the residents of Penally Army Barracks.

We have a WhatsApp video 📹 call together. We ask what colours and styles they like and aim as best we can to their preferences.

We present the residents items in their size. 📏

For example:
3 T-shirts 👕 and they can pick one.
3 Jeans 👖 and they can pick one.
3 scarves 🧣 and they can pick one
And so on.
Depending on the volume of suitable items we have, a resident can choose more than one of each item.

If you would like to donate you can here:❤️
https://www.facebook.com/donate/795912997660323/?fundraiser_source=external_url ... See MoreSee Less

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4 months ago

❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

This content isn't available right now

When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

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4 months ago

Since October last year our incredible donors have helped so many of the gentlemen living in Penally Army Barracks look and feel comfortable in some great new clothes. This is what we bought with your donations.

An enormous thank you to:
❤️Simon Bragman
❤️Choose Love
❤️Ruth Exell
❤️Sylvia Perry
❤️@Bim Ch
❤️@Jessica Rose
❤️Paris Refugee Ground Support
❤️County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire
❤️@Hay, Breacon & Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees

If you would like to donate, please follow the link below
❤️

https://www.facebook.com/donate/795912997660323/?fundraiser_source=external_ur ... See MoreSee Less

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4 months ago

We have an amazing collection and delivery network covering Pembrokeshire and other parts of west and south Wales:
🔹 People message us with offers
🔹 We put them in touch with the nearest collection point
🔹 The collector contacts the donor to arrange a handover
🔹 The collector gathers the items at the collection point
🔹 Once a collection point has enough bags and boxes, our delivery drivers pick up and take everything to where it needs to go

Some of our collection points are a joint operation with people working together:
🔹 One person with a vehicle who can meet and greet donors
🔹 Another person with space to store things until we can pick up

We're always looking for extra points in the network. Drop us a message to let us know that you'd like to join The Heart’s West Wales network of heroes! ❤️

PS It goes without saying that being Covid-safe is paramount at all times. We have a variety of measures to keep our donors, collectors and sorters as safe as possible, depending on the circumstances: minimal touch collections, masks, quarantining donations, even an anti-microbial fogging thingy at The Heart like they use in hospitals. ... See MoreSee Less

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4 months ago

We're always thrilled to receive new donations. But sometimes, it's not just the amazing quality of things, it's the generous spirit with which they're given. Like this brand new, super-warm, zipped hoodie that came complete with this beautiful, heart-warming message.
It's the perfect reminder of what the festive season is all about: opening our hearts, homes (& stables) to people who have been forced on a long and arduous journey. A welcome for all.
#ThanksFromTheHeart #Thanks #Donation #Charity #Refugees #GenerousDonations ... See MoreSee Less

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4 months ago

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house... people were suddenly realising that they'd forgotten to buy Auntie Marge a gift.

Not to fear, we have rustled up something rather special that might just get you out of a jam, *and help us continue our amazing service.

- Instantly delivered e-voucher (well, maybe give it 5 minutes. It's busy out there in internet-land right now)
- Your recipient can choose their preferred style, colour and size, so you can be sure it'll fit
- The design features the word 'welcome' in English, Welsh and 25 other languages commonly used among the residents
- Each t-shirt will be hand screenprinted to order by our friends at the Castlemartin Printworks in the New Year, made in Pembrokeshire especially for your recipient
- Every penny raised goes directly to providing the guys in Penally with warm clothes, shoes, etc. - no expensive CEO salaries here

Buy now at https://beyond-wales.vouchercart.com/app/

Also perfect as a gift to yourself, to show your support. And even better as a gift for the Daily Fail reader in your family - we love a bit of gifting for good! (PS if they choose not to redeem their voucher, then even more cash can be donated to The Heart, win-win!) ... See MoreSee Less

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5 months ago

Apart from the absolute bare essentials, these are the number one most urgently asked for and needed items.

The guys have very little privacy and very little space within the army barracks. Keeping their clothes safe and neat n' tidy, isn't easy.
When the guy's asylum claim has progressed another step in the long and tedious process, they are moved out of Penally Initial Accommodation Centre. Often they are given as little as 10 minutes notice to pack and leave and sometimes with no knowledge whatsoever of where they are going to.

A suitcase or a large holdall sports bag is a neat way to help them be ready to move quickly. This also assists the gents to take your excellent donations of clothing and kindness with them, into the next stage of their long and arduous journey. The journey to safety and the hope of a fulfilling life.

Have you got a spare, and in good-nick one hiding under your bed?
Or hanging out in your garage? Or collecting dust on top of your wardrobe?

👀👜👀Have a rummage and drop us a message if you've got one you'd like to donate 👀👜👀?

❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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5 months ago

⌚Collection and delivery network ticking along like clockwork.⌚

🔹People message us with offers.
🔹We put them in touch with the nearest collection point.
🔹The collector contacts the donor, arranges a handover.
🔹 The collector gathers the items at the collection point.
🔹Once the collection points have a tidy pile of bags and boxes our delivery drivers come along and take everything to The Heart secret location 🤫

Some of our collection points are a joint operation with people working together:
🔹One person with a vehicle who can meet and greet aid donors.
🔹Another person with some storage space.

But there are a few areas on our map that are a tad gappy.
If you're up for helping and want to know how, have a look at the map and see If you think you could fill one of those gaps.
Drop us a message to let us know how you'd like to join the Heart’s West Wales network of heroes!
❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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5 months ago

A huge thank you to our network of donors, collectors, drivers and sorters. Our stock levels of some items were getting worryingly low but we had lots of bags of donations over the weekend and we’ve sorted them by size and type.  

You won’t believe how excited we get when we open a bag and discover everything is small. Small sizes always go first - we generally get less small stuff, but it’s the size we get asked for most often. We were completely out of small T-shirts but you replenished our stocks and now we have 26, which will mean we can offer all the men a choice for another week at least.  

Thank you lovely people - keep the donations coming! ... See MoreSee Less

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6 months ago

Below is a photo of The Heart's full needs list 📃.
These are currently the most urgently needed items:

🔺Jeans size 28 👖
🔺Jeans size 30 👖
🔺Jeans size 32 👖
🔺Joggers size M
🔺Hoodies sizes S/M/L
🔺Trainers and walking boots size 7/8/9/10 👟🥾
🔺Winter jackets size S/M 🧥
🔺Brand new Boxers/Trunks size S/M 🩳
🔺Dark coloured T-shirts size S/M 👕
🔺Modern style hand luggage suitcases, backpacks and holdall sports bags 💼
🔺Body spray/deodorant.💨💨

WE GOT THIS Pembrokeshire, let's get it to 'em!!!!!!!!

♥️ ... See MoreSee Less

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6 months ago

🆘♥️So dear Pembrokeshire we need your help!! ♥️🆘

Twas the night before lock down lifted that The Heart went live with the first video shopping calls.
Since lock down lift we've been distributing and video calling pretty much non-stop.
We cater to the residents needs as comprehensively as we can and that means aid has simply flown out of the warehouse and into the hands of chaps.
And that means we need more donations and pretty sharpish too!
We're a small team and we've been so busy with setting up the warehouse and distributing to the chaps, we've not yet put collection points together to receive the donations we know many of you have wanted to give.
So, we need collection points in:
-Tenby
-Narberth
-Haverfordwest
-Whitland
-Fishguard
-Cardigan
-Carmarthen
-Lampeter
-Swansea
-Aberystwyth
-Cardiff

Any chance you could send us a message and volunteer a bit of your space?

❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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6 months ago

Last month we had a monumental donation of a entire van load of winter
🧥Jackets🧥 from the most excellent Sarah, Jack and Will from Bridge2Refugees. Thank you so much you little beauties!!! ♥️
In the week we've been taking orders from the gentlemen these have flown out.
In fact, we're on our last ones❗❗❗❗

📣📣If you have any decent winter jackets please send us a message with the area you live in to arrange a pickup or drop off 🚚. ... See MoreSee Less

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6 months ago

When the guys join us on a video call, we ask for their:

-Room number
-Bed number
-First name
-Size.

Each room is allocated a different colour Heart
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍
This serves as their delivery address. 📬 ... See MoreSee Less

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6 months ago

Goodness me what a week!!!
The ❤️Heart❤️ went live with personal shopping video calls last Sunday.

We video 📹 call the guys in the camp and give them a choice of items from the ❤️ free shop.

We offer a choice of 1 out 3 of each item:
-T-shirts
-Jumpers/Hoodies
-Jeans/Joggers/Trousers
-Jackets
-Trainers/Walking Boots

-2 Pairs of Brand New Socks
-2 Pairs of Brand New Boxers
- 1 x pair of Gloves
- 1 x Winter Hat/Beenie
- 1 x Winter Scarf

-2 x Razors/shaving gel
-1 x Shower Gel/Soap/Shampoo
-1 x moisturiser
-1 x Spray Deodorant
-1 x Toothbrush/Toothpaste

So far we've catered to 117 gentlemen. And we go on line for more video calls again this afternoon from 4pm to 10pm.

The next delivery 🚚 to the Barracks is tomorrow afternoon!!! Woop!!!!Woop!!

♥️ ... See MoreSee Less

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6 months ago

We'd like to thank Jess for the fundraiser she set up and for her incredibly proactive kindness. We'd like to thank all those who were part of raising the money for all of your tremendous donations.
These are her words:

" When all this started, it seemed like the negativity was taking over, loud voices of discontent were shouting above the rest and trying to quieten those who welcomed our new neighbours.

Luckily..this didn't last!

Since the beginning, there have just been so many kind, benevolent, and compassionate people and I am proud to have been a part of it all.

I'm not disheartened anymore because I realise that kindness and compassion are SO much stronger than hate and fear.

Thank you so, so much, and for all the amazing people out there helping and supporting the men in camp in so many different ways, you are all superstars and downright awesome people!"

The donations you have raised have gone to @County of sanctuary Pembrokeshire to be spent in a way that incorporates the needs of all residents in a fair, responsible and equal way.
❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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6 months ago

We'd like to thank Patch Charity excellent and immediate response to the arrival of the gentlemen now living in Penally Initial Accommodation centre.

Their natural reaction was to offer assistance collecting, sorting and storing clothing while there was no steady infrastructure to channel Pembrokeshire's care. PATCH opened up their facilities and it all tumbled in and filled the already very busy working spaces.

At this very difficult time for our community, PATCH is a lifeline that supports so many individuals and families who are at risk of falling through the cracks.
Their brilliant volunteer team respond to an ever growing need for support on a daily basis.
But the workload is enormous and volunteers on site worked triple hard to deal with all the items, putting even more strain on the vital work they do.

Now that The Heart has built a storage and distribution facility specifically for the gents in Penally, we can now relieve the added pressure from PATCH and continue what they started in a specialised way.

We have adopted their COVID-19 regulations :
-All items that come into The Heart will be date labelled and placed into quarantine for 72 hours. - Once out of quarentine they will be quality checked, sorted into item and sized ready for the Penally residents to chose their own clothing.

We would like to congratulate PATCH for their tireless and incredible work and ask our Pembrokeshire community to continue to support them in their valiant quest to keep ALL of our community afloat.

If you’re shopping and want to donate to PATCH please consider buying:
-Tinned meat meals,
-Tinned cold meat,
-Sandwich pastes
-Tinned spaghetti,
-Packet noodles,
-Tinned or packet custard,
-Tinned rice pudding
-Pasta meals where you only need to add water.

For their annual Christmas Toy appeal drop off points please check out their fb page:

https://www.facebook.com/PatchCharityPembs/

Share the ❤️ around, it keeps us all safe and whole-hearted.

❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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News from County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire is at Penally Training Camp.

5 months ago

A huge shout out to our wonderful donors and bike mechanics who have spent 2 days repairing, refining and tweaking 22 bikes for delivery to their new home in Penally. A huge shout out to Kate Mellor and Mark Seymour, who with their team of finely tuned mechanics have brought the bikes back to life. Thank you also to St Clements Church, Neyland for giving us the space in which to collect and repair the donations.
The community have funded locks, lights and bike stands and once some basic training has been provided to our friends in the camp, the bike bank will be good to go.
Another incredible community effort to make life a little more bearable for the guys in Penally. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible 🙌🏼 ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

5 months ago

🟡🔵HOW TO DONATE🟡🔵

Hello wonderful people near and far!

Lots of you have been asking how you can donate to us.

Donations help us to keep funding our amazing projects and supplying the men in Penally with the things that they need.

Here is a link to our latest fundraiser! Thank you for all of your support and kindness <3
https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/wall/cosp

It will ask you to select a one off or direct debit donation. ... See MoreSee Less

l.facebook.com

County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire (CoSP) is a Constituted Community Group associated with City of Sanctuary. We are currently focussing all efforts on supporting Asylum Seekers in Penally Initial Acco...

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

5 months ago

Thank you Kalpana for your beautiful Yoga Nidra last night gifted as a Sanctuary day fundraiser. So many generous donations. ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

5 months ago

https://google.com/amp/s/…
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/meriel-goss?utm_term=MYnm3J6QQ ... See MoreSee Less

'I came to UK on a dinghy bobbing around in the Channel for hours'

l.facebook.com

"There were women and children, pregnant women too... We left Calais at 4am but after a few hours we had no idea where we were."

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

5 months ago

🚵‍♂️Local cycling instructor/s to facilitate cycling instruction needed to help with our Bike Bank project.

Please contact wellbeing@pembrokeshire.countyofsanctuary.org ASAP .

Thank you <3 ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

5 months ago

Memorable days out for everyone involved. Full of fun, food, football , firepits, friendship and so much more ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

5 months ago

Welcome & Connection - COSP Sanctuary Days invited 59 men resident in Penally barracks out for the day around West Wales last week - entirely socially distanced, outdoors, carefully planned, regulated events (5 Sanctuary days and 1 volunteering scheme). The local people offering their space, time & energy deserve an applause. It makes so much difference to wellbeing to feel part of the community. Thank you so much. ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

5 months ago

Relax deep & help offer welcome, warmth & connection for those seeking asylum in West Wales.
https://www.facebook.com/countyofsanctuarypembrokeshire/posts/128362229062502Support sanctuary by relaxing deeply. Online full moon Yoga Nidra next Sunday as fundraiser for COSP Sanctuary Days.

Sanctuary Days offer social connection and wellbeing orientated outdoors activities to those seeking asylum and accommodated at Penally barracks. Yoga Nidra is a yogic guided deep relaxation lying down - delicious. ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

📚🗣We are SO proud of our amazing CoSP English teachers and their wonderful students! 👩‍🏫🎓

One of our teachers says this:

"All of my students are really keen and excited to learn. They’re also really grateful which is lovely to see. I love seeing stuff we’ve done in class come out in real life: It’s so gratifying when they use something that we learnt in the last lesson, in conversation!"

Just one 30 minute lesson a week over WhatsApp or messenger and already we are seeing fantastic improvements in the English of the men taking part. 😍🎉

More language = More confidence, more connection, more laughter and more community integration.😁 ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

Art from Penally. 💔Escaping persecution comes at a huge price .. in every way 💔 Thank you for sharing your drawing with us this morning UKkosovar 🙏🏻 ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

Cool!We LOVE this cool, humorous drawing from our Xabat Ka! ‘Love in the Covid 19 era’ Thanks for sharing this with us Xabat! You’ve put a smile on our faces! 😄👏🏻🎨🌟 ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

What do you do when you’re asked for prayer mats in Penally camp?
You call your friend and great supporter @Nizar Neezo Dahan in Swansea and he waves his magic wand.
80 beautiful prayer mats and some precious qurans will be delivered to our friends in Penally tomorrow. A huge thank you to everyone who responded to the shout out and who helped make this happen. Another awesome community effort. Diolch ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

The Bike Bank will be launched at the end of the month thanks to the amazing generosity of our community. 20 bikes will give our friends in the camp some freedom to get around.
We are now after helmets!!! If you have a spare, please let us know. Collection can be arranged ❤️BIKES ARE WINGS! COSP Bike Bank - The Penally guys suggest this for independent travel as it's quite isolated at the camp.

We will be collecting bikes, helmets, lights, repair kits, pumps, tyres, DIY fixing stuff and everything else bike-y!

We also need volunteers for bike MOT's, 'fix & mend' sessions for the guys and bike awareness rides to share the rules of the road here in the UK ( andlocal routes around Penally).

This is a direct response to requests from the guys.

To donate bikes or equipment please use this form:

https://share.hsforms.com/1vDuvsZQvRqazYIr2yykOAw56kt2

To volunteer on this project, or any others please use THIS form:

https://beyondwales.com/register-as-a-volunteer/ ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

Support sanctuary by relaxing deeply. Online full moon Yoga Nidra next Sunday as fundraiser for COSP Sanctuary Days.

Sanctuary Days offer social connection and wellbeing orientated outdoors activities to those seeking asylum and accommodated at Penally barracks. Yoga Nidra is a yogic guided deep relaxation lying down - delicious. ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

The Heart distro doing some amazing stuff with clothing. What dreamboats <3 ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

We are looking for a German speaking person in the local community to become a buddy for a very lovely gentlemen in the camp.

A very specific request, we know! If you think you can help, or know someone who does comment/tag this post 😁 ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

Please be really careful to not cause trouble for our new friends in Penally by sharing their photos. ... See MoreSee Less

Happy snapping – taking pictures without the owner’s consent

l.facebook.com

We’ve turned into a nation of photographers. Not only do we constantly have access to a camera these days, thanks to smartphones that come complete with highly advanced camera technology built in, b...

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

Walk a mile in their shoes....👣 Thankfully most us will never have to experience what so many asylum seekers and refugees have.

With your generous donations CoSP were able to buy 250 pairs of flip flops for the men in Penally Initial Accommodation.

Flip flops are a much requested item for a couple of reasons. One of these is for cultural and religious reasons. The other is to wear in the communal showers.

We couldn't do any of this without you wonderful people. Thank you <3 ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

A wonderful way to get involved in something positive ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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County of Sanctuary Pembrokeshire

6 months ago

COSP Sanctuary Days - Penally guys & locals together for laughter & human connection. Thank you to all involved - driving, cooking, joining-in. Special thanks to Clynfyw for use of their minibus, Bara Menyn, Pizza Tipi, OurtwoAcres, Glebelands and so many locals friends. Volunteer of the week is Tilly - local dance psychotherapist able to match Penally guys in energy & warmth! Get involved or donate: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/meriel-goss
https://beyondwales.com/register-as-a-volunteer/ ... See MoreSee Less

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