Sanctuary Community Holidays

In 2018, Chagford Hospitality Network (CHN) got together with Bristol Hospitality Network (BHN) and provided annual holidays on rural Dartmoor for a group of 16 asylum seekers, which have been running successfully ever since. Claire Ash Wheeler (Chagford) and Rachael Bee (BHN) instigated that first holiday and Claire still coordinates the Chagford holidays with a team. We decided together that we needed to try to share this idea with other rural and urban communities and make more connections happen so we founded Sanctuary Community Holidays with Noah Bakour in 2024.

Inspired by the Chagford Hospitality Network, we now organise holidays across the country. Explore the map to see our holiday locations.

If you want to find out about hosting a holiday in your area, or bringing a group of asylum seekers and refugees from your urban project, get in touch!

You can find out more about us in our Bios below:

Claire Ash Wheeler

Co-founder and Coordinator,

Claire grew up in rural Devon and, after travelling widely, settled in Chagford, Devon, with her husband. Together, they set up a Montessori nursery school in the village, which their daughter attended. After leaving teaching, Claire became more involved in local sustainability projects. She has been involved with several charities and continues to volunteer with one. Claire is a co-founder of the Chagford Hospitality Network (CHN) and has worked with Rachael Bee on these successful holidays since 2018.

Rachael Bee

Rachael Bee is our Project Development Manager. Rachael has been working in the refugee sector in Bristol since 2008. She co-founded Bristol Hospitality Network (2009) and Refugee Welcome Homes (2014) and was a founding trustee of the NACCOM network. She developed Sanctuary Community Holidays with Claire Ash Wheeler and Noah Bakour in 2024. She lives in Bristol with her husband and two children and likes cooking and playing music!

Noah Bakour

Media communication manager, Noah Bakour is a Cardiff-based filmmaker known for capturing genuine moments with a unique perspective. He attended a Chagford Hospitality Network holiday on Dartmoor in 2022. Drawing from his experience as a former asylum seeker and now a refugee, Noah helps guide Sanctuary Community Holidays (SCH), highlighting the positive impact these holidays can have. He works to ensure SCH's vision is beautifully realised through his artistic talents.

Our team is ready to support you as you make a holiday happen in your area.

We are an organisation supported by The Movements Trust.