Volunteering brings people together. At Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary, it builds community, breaks down barriers, and offers a sense of belonging. Chris and Theja come from very different backgrounds—but both found connection and purpose through their involvement.

Chris: Using Skills to Give Back

I joined Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary (CVoS) in December 2023, initially to help them with their Finances. I’d recently decided to retire early from work and this seemed the ideal way to give something back, utilising my finance skills and experience. From the initial meeting with the Chair of Trustees (Laura Beesley), it seemed a good fit and I started working with the Charity’s Treasurer to maintain the cashbooks and develop forecasting and reporting so that the Trustees could be kept informed as to the Financial health of the Charity.

The Treasurer was a person with lived experience of the refugee and asylum process and was at that time waiting on a decision as to whether they would be allowed to stay in the UK.  Within a couple of months of me starting to work with them, they received the fantastic news that they had been given leave to stay, but with this came the news that they had a very limited time in which to find somewhere to live, given that they would have to leave their current property as this was only for people seeking asylum. With a young family, they opted to move to Leeds, leaving the Treasurers role vacant.

“I had come to recognise what a valuable role CVoS played in making Calderdale a welcoming and inclusive place for people seeking sanctuary, and wanted to help in any way I could.”

During this time, I had come to recognise and appreciate how complex the refugee and asylum process was, and how the mainstream media misrepresented and misinformed the public of the migrant situation. I had come to recognise what a valuable role CVoS played in making Calderdale a welcoming and inclusive place for people seeking sanctuary, and wanted to help in any way I could. Therefore, when Laura asked if I would be interested in taking over the Treasurer role, I was delighted to accept, and was formally appointed at the AGM in September 2024.

Since my appointment, I’ve taken a more proactive role in the organisation, being part of the assessment panel for St Augustine’s School to see if they qualified for a School of Sanctuary award (they did), work with the other trustees to establish our strategic aims, policies and procedures, and to pass on some of my skills and knowledge to a volunteer, someone with lived experience of the refugee and asylum system, who has expressed an interest in learning about finance and accounting.

Theja: A Journey of Purpose and Hope

I am Theja Godakande Arachchi from Sri Lanka. After completing my undergraduate degree, I decided to join the social development sector. It was not just a job for me—it was a huge opportunity to gain an understanding of marginalised and underprivileged communities. That decision shaped the rest of my life.

Through travelling and the experiences I gained along the way, I stood up for people’s rights and connected with others who were genuinely working toward the same purpose.

As a women’s rights activist, I was fortunate to be allowed to bring my children with me, and my husband also worked in the same sector. I believe this was a great opportunity for my children—not to chase after unnecessary luxuries, but to become sensitive individuals, developing empathy rather than sympathy for others.

Eventually, we made the difficult decision to leave our motherland. At that moment, we were forced to consider the future of our children above our own.

When we arrived in the UK, we found ourselves in the same category we had once worked to support—uncertain, underprivileged, and desperate, as asylum seekers. Despite that, we decided to offer our skills, in whatever ways we could, on a voluntary basis. We accepted our situation with balance and dignity. Along the way, we met a few truly kind people who had committed their lives to helping others in need.

“At that moment, we were forced to consider the future of our children above our own … Back home, we worked to support others. In the UK, we found ourselves in the same category—uncertain, underprivileged, and desperate.”

Before writing this piece, I went through old emails from CVoS. At the end of that search, I realised clearly how much they had contributed to shaping me into the person I am today. I am sure they do their best for all who are in need. That is the true meaning of Valley of Sanctuary. They are committed to creating a safe space for those who arrive in this area—especially people who have given up every hope back in the land where they were born and raised. They help people feel, “This is our second home.”

Although I don’t often bring my personal grief into public writing, there is something I must mention. Just three months after we received permission to stay, my husband passed away. It was a sudden and devastating blow—especially after sharing a 36-year bond.

As I looked through past records to gather information for this article, I saw clearly how much effort Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary put into supporting me and helping me emerge from that difficult time.

That’s how I came to start volunteering with CVoS—and it brought me joy.

I’ve learned so much from both board and volunteer members. Even during the asylum process, we achieved rare but meaningful milestones. My daughter received a Sanctuary Scholarship to the University of Edinburgh. At the time of my husband’s passing, he was studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, under another Sanctuary Scholarship. During our search for these opportunities, we realised that it is always possible to rebuild your life. The most important thing is to keep your spirits strong and never give up hope. Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary stood with us—and continues to stand with others—through every difficult stage.

As a former freelance journalist and writer, I was honoured to be invited to contribute to the Refugee Week poem in 2023. Our talented writer Hina led the session.

Now, I’ve started a small business, with all kinds of support—including a grant from UKSPF Enterprise Fund and help from both Together We Grow and CVoS. I’ve had so many opportunities. I’ve returned to the path I paused in 2021. Becoming a volunteer with the Sanctuary Food Network has also been a great achievement for me.

I’ve been proud to share my experiences as a refugee with people who are eager to support others like me. I’ve come to see our time as asylum seekers as a rare opportunity to learn about life. As someone who once lived a busy professional life, I thought, Ah! This is a chance to find myself again—to rediscover my skills and values. We learned how to manage our needs with very little money, how to prioritise, and how to operate as a team. As a family, we listened to each other and to others facing the same situation.

“We learned how to manage our needs with very little money, how to prioritise, and how to operate as a team. As someone who once lived a busy professional life, I thought, ‘Ah! This is a chance to find myself again.’”

Now, I’m taking another step forward—becoming a trustee for Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary from March 2025. I’m excited to contribute my best to our amazing team. With a positive mind. With hope. With honesty.

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer at Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary? No matter your background or experience, we can find a role for you!

Contact us for a chat: [email protected]