About
Sanctuary Trust
A place to rebuild and move forward
We offer welcoming, safe accommodation for up to 30 residents across our three Sanctuary Trust houses in Jersey. But we’re much more than a place to stay. We’re a community helping people rediscover their confidence, rebuild their lives and take positive steps towards independence.
Whether it’s finding work, starting voluntary opportunities or moving into a home of their own, we support residents every step of the way, always with dignity, respect and hope.
The need for our support is growing in Jersey. People with lived experience of homelessness are at the heart of how we shape and run our services. Residents are involved in the recruitment of our team, trustees and volunteers, ensuring our team reflects the values and perspectives of those experiencing homelessness.
By involving residents in the decisions that shape our work, we make sure Sanctuary Trust remains trauma informed, accountable and effective.
Our work is only possible thanks to the generosity of people like you.
Our story
Sanctuary Trust was founded in 2011 with a simple but powerful idea: that every man experiencing homelessness deserves safety, dignity and hope. Originally known as Caring Hands, the charity was set up by a group of compassionate Christians and parishioners in St Brelade who were concerned about the lack of dedicated support for men facing homelessness and other complex challenges.
The late Colin Taylor played a central role in shaping this vision. His determination and compassion helped establish our first home in a former guesthouse in St Aubin. Colin believed deeply that more needed to be done for those who had fallen through the gaps in support, and he worked tirelessly to create a place that offered stability and a pathway to recovery and independence.
In 2015, Colin received the British Empire Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Jersey.
Today, Sanctuary Trust continues to build on his legacy, supported by generous individuals, community groups and long standing supporters across the island.
To hear more about our work today, you can watch a short message from our Chair, Tim Ringsdore.
Tim Ringsdore, Chair
Our patron
A passionate supporter of our work, His Excellency Vice Admiral Sir Jerry Kyd KBE has been Patron of Sanctuary Trust since January 2023.
His commitment and understanding of our work bring tremendous value to our mission and we’re proud to have his continued support as we help men experiencing homelessness in Jersey rebuild their lives.
“The journey is rarely easy,
but with the right support, it
is always possible.”
Message from the CEO
Since joining Sanctuary Trust in 2019, I’ve seen us evolve to meet the needs of islanders through a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis. Some think we just offer a place to stay, but every person has a unique story. We provide practical help and support for complex emotional and psychological challenges, building trust with those who have struggled to feel safe.
That’s why we’ve expanded our outreach work, because support shouldn’t end when someone moves out. Staying connected helps people build stability, knowing we’re still there for them. We also expanded our counselling service, so every resident and former resident can access support when they need it.
Homelessness is rarely just about losing a home; it’s often the result of trauma, poverty, and mental health struggles. The blame isn’t on the individual, but on system failures. A safe place to live is a basic human right, and we’re proud to have contributed to Jersey’s first homelessness strategy.
There’s still a huge stigma around homelessness, which often prevents people from asking for help. We’re committed to challenging these misconceptions and opening up honest conversations. No one should feel ashamed to reach out. Thank you for supporting us.
Sarah Tumelty, CEO
Our spaces
Sanctuary House
Our secondary houses
Our allotment
Partner organisations
Working together to make a difference
We know the best outcomes happen when services work together. That’s why we partner with trusted local organisations who share our commitment to supporting people through challenging times.
By combining our strengths, we’re able to offer more joined-up support.
Together, we help residents move forward with confidence.
Annual social impact report 2024
Discover the difference that Sanctuary Trust has made within the community by exploring our latest Social Impact Report. The report highlights the support we provide, the outcomes we’ve achieved, and the lasting impact of our work in Jersey.