This Sanctuary is located at the foot of Owengate on the path up to the Cathedral.  It is there for those who are homeless, hungry and neglected and is run by the Salvation Army.

They tell me that the Sanctuary “is open from Monday till Friday, and provides a drop-in for people with housing and social problems.  Here they find a free cup of soup with a toasty plus coffee or tea.  Vulnerable people find a place where they can just ‘be’; a place where they can meet and they have a chance to step away from their isolation.”

“From time to time we are joined by tourists on their way to the Cathedral or those who have been told about Sanctuary 21 and its great atmosphere. There are also people from the wider Durham county area who, after shopping, just want a soup or a scone.”

“Last, but not least, there are the students (who are also an integral part of the volunteer corps) who simply want a quiet place to study or have a chat with friends.”

“In short: Sanctuary 21 is a place to meet. Through the Salvation Army it provides a café for people who just want to have a hot drink or a cup of soup; it provides a place for people who need a listening ear; and it is a place for the passer-by.”

“Because this all takes place in one big space where the music is playing and volunteers serving the people, visitors find an atmosphere that is hard to describe.  But is has become a HUB where a great variety of people find something they need. Some people just pop in once, almost by accident, while others find their way to Sanctuary 21 every day.”

“The Sanctuary has a good relationship with the police, as well as social and housing organisations (both statutory and non-statutory), and is able to refer people and make sure, as best as we can, that people can go on their way.”

“On a Sunday morning there is a service in which those present will find the same variety of people.”

Why not drop in the next time you are in Durham and find out for yourself about Sanctuary 21.