Buddy Project Winter Market

The Refugee Buddy Project is holding its annual winter market at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 5 December. It's a local makers' market, so you'll find stalls of things made right here in town, and it's built around a bit more than just shopping: there's music, singing, poetry and stories throughout the day.

If you're not familiar with the organisers, the Refugee Buddy Project started in 2017 as a community group welcoming people seeking refuge who had recently arrived in Hastings. Since then, it's grown into a refugee and migrant-led charity that supports families and individuals through its buddy programme, advocacy and financial and emotional support. The charity relies on cultural events like this to raise awareness and funds, and to give participants and the public a chance to share space and celebrate life in Hastings together.

On the day, the Dove Café — which the charity also runs on Bexhill Road — will be there serving homemade soup, tea, coffee and sweet and savoury pastries. It's the same food they do at the café, so you can grab something to eat while you browse the stalls and listen to the music. The market is on Saturday 5 December at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery.