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City of Sanctuary Sheffield is an independent charity working in solidarity with people seeking sanctuary. Our vision is for Sheffield to be a place of safety and welcome for people seeking sanctuary.

The Sanctuary
A place of safety and welcome in the heart of the city. The Sanctuary aims to rise above the unjust constraints placed on people seeking sanctuary by providing a beautifully designed space in the heart of the city that is safe, welcoming and supportive. Visitors to the Sanctuary are welcomed by our volunteers and offered a hot drink and a calm place to sit, where they can participate in conversation groups and other social activities and find out about more about activities and opportunities around the city. It is a place where people are welcomed and listened to, and a place where people can discover the best of Sheffield as a City of Sanctuary. 

Multi-agency Drop-in:

A multi-agency hub of advice, information and solidarity .

Opening Times: Wednesdays; 1pm to 4pm (doors close at 3:30pm). No appointment needed.

Address: Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB

The Multi-Agency Drop-In is the advice and information hub for people seeking sanctuary in Sheffield.

It aims to challenge the hostile environment and reduce practical barriers to accessing support by bringing together different agencies in one easily accessible and central location.

CoSS staff and volunteers facilitate the space by signposting visitors to the right organisation for their needs and proveide information and guidance about other support available in the city. 

 
Agencies at the Drop-in:

• ASSIST, support for people who have been refused aslyum
• British Red Cross, Refugee Support team and Family Reunion team
• Chilypep, young people’s empowerment project (monthly)
• Citizens Advice Sheffield 
• Clothes Bank, CoSS
• Conversation Club (located at The Sanctuary)
• CoSS Infomation Desk, foodbanks and signposting
• Faces, The Family, Adult Community Education Service (monthly)
• Health and Wellbeing Desk, CoSS
• IDAS, domestic abuse and sexual violence (monthly)
• New Beginnings, education, employment, volunteering
• Open Kitchen Social Club, free hot meal on the last Wednesday of the month
• Parker Rhodes Solicitors (monthly) 
• Abtisam Mohamed MP’s office (fortnightly) 
• Refugee Employability Programme (fortnightly)
• SAVTE, English language support
• Sexual Health Sheffield 
• South Yorkshire Refugee Law and Justice (fortnightly) 
• SPRING project for newly granted refugees 

Some agencies attend once or twice a month only. Please contact Anna for more information. Contact – anna.aitken@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org

The Sheffield Project for Refugee INtegration and Growth (SPRING)
A unique collaboration of six organisations helping refugees settle into the local community. Opening Times – Monday to Thursday; 10am- 4pm.

SPRING offers help to refugees when they receive “leave to remain” and need support accessing housing, opening a bank account, applying for benefits and immigration advice.

Once these urgent needs have been addressed, we support individuals with their longer-term integration, such as learning English, routes into volunteering, education, training, and finding a job.

SPRING can provide limited support for those who’ve experienced trauma and also signpost to a variety of activities supporting mental and physical well-being across Sheffield. 

Volunteering
Join us as a volunteer and join the movement working to make Sheffield a place of safety and welcome for people seeking sanctuary.

Volunteering at City of Sanctuary Sheffield is a chance to make a real difference in your local community and connect with people who hold the same vision of a city that is safe and welcoming to all.

Volunteers are involved in all our teams and bring a huge amount of experience to the work we do. At City of Sanctuary Sheffield community is at the heart of what we do and all of our volunteers are central to this.
Volunteers can join the City of Sanctuary Sheffield team in a wide variety of roles.

We welcome volunteers who have lived experience of seeking sanctuary or migration to the UK and can offer additional support and opportunities. We also have opportunities available for people who are improving their English.