What is Chagford Hospitality Network – CHN?
CHN supports asylum seekers and refugees, specifically with offering a holiday in Chagford, Devon. The holiday connects a group of urban-based asylum seekers and refugees with warm-hearted people in the village on Dartmoor. Working together, the group creates a wonderful 6-day holiday in the countryside for 16 asylum seekers and 4 staff/volunteers from Bristol.
Can you give me more details about what happens on a holiday?
Our asylum seeker guests are hosted in twos with local households as a home-stay. The hosts only have to offer bed and breakfast to their guests; the local coordinators arrange daily activities and meals.
A central location, such as a village hall near to host homes, is set up for the week as a base. The group connects with local people in various ways to create an enjoyable holiday.
What makes a good host?
Be open-minded and relaxed and other things will work out. Apart from bed and breakfast, we ask that you provide a towel, soap and shampoo as well as a warm welcome! We will share the Guidelines for Hosts and discuss things in detail with you – We want you to have a mutually good experience with hosting.
I have some time, but I’m not ready to host an asylum seeker. What can I do?
There are lots of ways to be involved: helping with cooking part of an evening meal (pre-arranged with our meals coordinator), making a cake or salad, transporting to activities or meeting guests when they arrive in Chagford. There are many locals who contribute in small or large ways to make the holiday a success. You can be involved as little or as much as you like. Let’s talk about the options and what you are or are not comfortable doing. We appreciate whatever you’re able to offer, no matter how small it seems to you.
Where have the guests come from?
They are all based in the UK, but may not have settled yet or have their own places to live. Some may be in hotels with few opportunities to get out into the countryside. They may have been waiting months or years for an answer for their application to remain. This can be terribly depressing, stressful, and disheartening for them.
A holiday in the beautiful countryside with local people can be so uplifting for the guests, as well as the hosts, and can be so positive for the asylum seeker’s confidence, well-being and trust.
We have seen and heard how it has been transformative for our guests, some of whom leave as friends and return to visit us separate from a CHN holiday. It has such a positive impact on the individuals and is so mutually rewarding!
Where do the visitors stay?
They are hosted with local homes in and around Chagford. We recommend 2 guests per house, as this makes it easier to socialise together. One of our CHN coordinators visits a potential host home to go through the Guidelines for Hosts handbook and answer questions before you commit to hosting. We are here to support you.
I’m nervous about hosting.
It’s understandable to be nervous about hosting people you’ve not met before. And the guests can also be nervous about coming into a local person’s home. However, hosts (see the short YouTube video) tell us over and over again, what a rewarding experience it is.
What is the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee?
An asylum seeker is someone who has arrived in the UK claiming their protection rights under international law and to find safety. While their claim is processed, they have the right to accommodation, healthcare and education, but are not allowed to work. Once the asylum claim is successful, which can take many months or years, they become a refugee. Refugees have the right to housing, healthcare, education, benefits, and are allowed to work; they also pay taxes, improve our economy, and add to our culture.
What’s the SCH connection?
Sanctuary Community Holidays (SCH) was established in 2024 to take the vision of CHN holidays across the UK. It is a small organisation that collaborates with urban asylum-seeking/refugee agencies and lovely rural settings with a warm heart for asylum seekers to create wonderful holidays. SCH is there to help set things up, offer advice and support from their experience. Please get in touch if you know an urban centre or a rural setting which might be keen to host a holiday with their friends.
https://www.sanctuarycommunityholidays.org.uk
Poem seen in Ripon Cathedral –
You have to understand that
no one puts their children in a boat
unless the water is safer than the land.
No one burns their palms
under trains beneath carriages.
No one spends days and nights in the
stomach of a truck feeding on newspaper
unless the miles travelled mean
something more than the journey.
No one crawls under fences.
No one wants to be beaten, pitied.
I want to go home,
but home is the mouth of a shark.
Extract from Home by Watson Shire
chagfordhospitalitynetwork.org 