Action Asylum achievements

Portsmouth City of Sanctuary’s partnership with Action Asylum to create volunteering opportunities for our sanctuary seeking community, has gone from strength to strength.

In the second quarter of 2024, Action Asylum is pleased to report significant progress and community engagement. Over April, May, and June, they averaged over 200 volunteering hours per month, a notable increase from the 100+ hours during the same period last year.

Strengthened partnerships

The success of the project this quarter is largely thanks to deepened collaboration with various local partners who value our volunteers’ dedication. In April, we partnered with Portsmouth Tree Wardens, NHS, Portsmouth City Council, Southsea Green, University of Portsmouth, Victoria Park, Seekers Create, and Friends of Langstone Harbour.  The month of May included partnerships with Rowner Community Centre, Southsea Beachwatch, Landport Community Centre, Tree Wardens, John Pounds Centre, and Southsea Library.  During June, Action Asylum worked with partners that included Love Outdoors, Friends Without Borders, All Saints and Paulsgrove Library.

Volunteer contributions

Our volunteers, both new and seasoned, have made significant contributions this quarter:

Environmental Initiatives:

Asylum seekers planted 1,600 saplings with Portsmouth Tree Wardens and supported Southsea Beachwatch with coastal clean-ups, including the D-Day Beachclean.

Community Projects:

People seeking sanctuary have assisted in setting up a new community garden, creating a mural at Victoria Park, and promoting outdoor activities through leafleting for a Gosport community event.

Gardening and Maintenance:

Volunteers engaged in gardening and landscaping at Rowner Community Centre and hospital gardens, ensuring safe and enjoyable green spaces for elderly residents. We have partnered with The Limes NHS Care Home garden providing general maintenance.

Creative Support: Helped a local textile artist by planting flax seeds for a project and painting signs for community gardens.

Project leader, John Ashlin said “These achievements highlight the impact of our community collaboration and volunteer efforts. Action Asylum looks forward to continuing this momentum and achieving even greater impacts in the coming months. Thank you to all our volunteers and partners for your support and commitment to our mission”.

If you are interested in getting involved in the Action Asylum volunteering project, please contact John at [email protected]