Sanctuary Breaks - A Local Welcome

Over many years, successive government have deliberately created a hostile environment towards refugees. Nevertheless, from its beginning in 2016, local residents in the surrounding villages have responded generously to this project, and shown that a majority of people wish to welcome migrants to the community.

Friends drop in to prepare meals, assist with transport, take visitors on local walks, join shared meals, or do garden or craft activities together.

As far as we can, we meet as equals and listen to each other’s stories. Our refugee visitors can be encouraged by the welcome they find here. Over a few hours or days, together with people who have had to leave their first home, just for a time, we can create a new sense of family.

As a person seeking sanctuary in the UK, you may be in touch with an organisation that is working in support of refugees and asylum seekers or others in trauma, which can arrange a trip to Hill House. The house is freely available for you.

Local refugee support agencies and individuals are welcome to use the house for respite, for away days and for arranging activiites in the area for their members and service users. 

For those supporting groups in the refugee sector, anywhere in the country, you are welcome to use the house for self-catered stays of up to a week at subsidised cost.

Contact us to discuss how we can make any of these activities work for you.

There is wheelchair access to the ground floor and to the main lawn. 

Hill House Retreats

Hill House is situated in a delightful Cotswold village on the edge of Minchinhampton Common. It has been in the same family for nearly a 100 years and is now used for retreats as well as supporting those seeking sanctuary through it’s sister organisation Sanctuary Breaks.

There are five double, twin or triple bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 comfortable reception rooms, a spacious dining room, a well-equipped modern kitchen, and a large garden. The garden specialises in some huge and unusual trees. Apart from day visits, the house is not suitable for families with toddlers.

Beautiful Cotswold walks outside the door take you across Minchinhampton Common, famous for its cowslips in spring and cows in summer, or into the wild garlic-filled woods down the hill below the house.

Possibilities for use and hire of the house or rooms are:

1. For respite for refugees, people seeking sanctuary, and survivors of trauma and torture.

2. For self-catering groups of up to 10 people, requiring a venue for a shared retreat or to pursue a creative activity.

3. For individuals to spend a few quiet days

More information, photos, avaialbility, prices and how to book can be found here