Welcome the Stranger

Our town motto, "Adjuvate Advenas" is today translated as "Welcome the Stranger" and in September 2024, Deal Town Council was awarded Town of Sanctuary status (only the second town or parish council in the UK to receive the accreditation).

Councillors agreed to sign the pledge of membership and our Welcome the Stranger, Deal Town of Sanctuary Strategy & Action Plan has been introduced. You can read it in full here.

We have made a commitment as a town to welcome asylum seekers and refugees and work in partnership with local organisations including Deal Area Refugee Aid (D.A.R.A), Samphire Project, KRAN (Kent Refugee Action Network), Cliffs of Sanctuary and City of Sanctuary UK.

News

Deal Town Council awarded Town of Sanctuary status

Deal Town Council has been awarded Town of Sanctuary status and is only the second town or parish council in the UK to receive the accreditation.

Discover more by clicking here.

Art in the Undercroft

The work of Deal Town Council has been brought to life by a local Ukrainian artist.

Yulia Antonova has been welcomed by a host family in Deal and is a gifted artist whose art is now often exhibited in town. Read the full story by clicking here.

Refugee Week 2024

Refugee Week 2024

Refugee Week (Monday 17 June to Sunday 23 June) is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

Deal Area Refugee Aid (DARA) has a programme of events this week, including hosting a stall in the Undercroft on Saturday 22 June in the morning and an art exhibition and award ceremony at the Town Hall in the afternoon. Visit their website here for more information.

Deal Pier Winter Lights Lantern Procession

Deal Pier Winter Lights Lantern Procession

On Friday 15 December, Deal Pier was lit up with a beautiful lantern parade organised by local human rights charity Samphire in partnership with Deal Town Council and local school children. Read the story in full here.

two people holding hands in support of each other

Deal Town Council City of Sanctuary grant fund

Deal Town Council is committed to welcoming asylum seekers and refugees to Deal and has agreed to provide a new grant stream with a budget of £2,000 for the year 2023/24.

Read more and apply here

Ukrainian badges on sale at the Christmas craft fair

Ukrainian Craft Fair

The Ukrainian Christmas Market was held at Town Hall in December. Celebrating craftspeople, artists and bakers from Deal's Ukrainian community.

More information can be found here.

Deal Warm Welcome

This year our Deal Warm Welcome posters were also available in Arabic for greater accessibility. The winter 2023/24 scheme has now closed but can find out more about the project here www.deal.gov.uk/dww

Ukrainian refugees fund

The town council has set up a fund to provide support to Ukrainian refugees staying in the town of Deal. Applications will be considered for financial assistance for projects that offer direct support.

If you would like to apply to this fund, or know of those who would benefit from it, please make them aware of this opportunity. More information can be found here.

You can also contact Paul Bone, Responsible Finance Officer by email, paul.bone@deal.gov.uk