How we can help you
Sanctus Help Desk
We can help you with form filling, Universal Credit applications, housing and other applications, contacting support agencies, finding your way around Stoke, finding a solicitor and much more.
The Help Desk is open from 9am to 12noon on Thursdays at the YMCA, and there is an extra session for refugees also on Thursdays from 1.30pm - 3.30pm at St. Mark’s Church.
Please note that we do not provide immigration legal advice.
English language and literacy
We can help you with your English language skills, and sometimes with numeracy and literacy. It can be difficult to learn a new language and so we offer informal English lessons in small groups. We also try to work with other local organisations who offer classes.
Our friendly, informal English lessons start each Thursday at around 10am. Places are limited. To find out more send us an email.
Sanctus Foodbank
We can help with food. Sometimes it’s difficult to buy enough food to have a well balanced diet. If you are struggling, we can help you by offering food from our food bank to do our best to make sure you and your family don’t go home hungry.
Everyone in need goes home with a bag of supplies, providing fresh vegetables and fruit whenever possible.
Our foodbank is open from 9am each Thursday.
Toiletries & Nappies
We can help you with sanitary products and toiletries. These items can be expensive to buy, even from the supermarket, and so we try supply them where we can. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to collect these items for us, and this is done through collection boxes in local churches and places of employment.
We can also help if you have a young child in need of nappies.
Our supplies of toiletries and nappies are limited. They are available at our Thurday drop-in sessions.
Friendship & Emotional Support
If you are finding life difficult, we may be able to help. We like to think that our Thursday drop-in sessions are places of warmth and friendship.
Come along for tea, coffee and a chat with other asylum seekers and refugees and with our volunteers who always have a listening ear.
One of the most frightening experiences for many, is to go alone to the reporting centre to 'sign on', or to go to official interviews and appointments. We aim to provide befrienders, who will support you if you need it, to be a reassuring presence, and to give confidence. We are also able to offer limited help for people who have difficulty in travelling to their appointment with the Home Office.
Skills and Creativity
We try to involve a number of outside agencies into our sessions offering art or other creative activities. so that you can develop your skills and also have fun. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information about these.
Sometimes our sessions are themed around cultural events and seasons. We are also supported by various community art groups.
Join us
If you’d like to come chat about how you can get involved as a volunteer, get in touch by clicking or tapping the button below.