9 minute read
City of Solidarity
It’s often remarked that Sheffield’s a friendly city, and in 2007 it became the UK’s first City of Sanctuary. This status is given to places that proudly welcome people in need of safety, and grew out of local community groups’ and the council’s commitment to support refugees and asylum seekers. Sheffield’s culture of friendliness and hospitality extends to anyone and everyone in the city centre, where charities and social enterprises offer a hand with everything from housing to healthy eating. Since the start of the pandemic, the need for many of these organisations has become more critical than ever. Some started to deliver food, others coordinated volunteers to run errands for people shielding or selfisolating. Many have offered friendly voices of reassurance. Their action and support is invaluable in helping Sheffield’s communities through these difficult times.
Voluntary Action Sheffield
– Helen Steers & Helen Sims
Established in 1926, Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) has long been the city’s go-to organisation for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for all of Sheffield’s communities. VAS offers advice and support and connects those who want to volunteer with organisations who involve volunteers. It supports community services with everything from financial advice to volunteer training, and helps refugees and asylum seekers find new roots in the city through volunteering. VAS also runs the Circle, a meeting and office space and a hub for the sector.
Helen Steers and Helen Sims currently job share as Interim Chief Executive Officer at VAS. The former is also Head of Health and Wellbeing, while the latter is Head of Business Growth. Find out more from Helen and Helen about how VAS has been there for the city over the past 95 years.
What have been some of Voluntary Action Sheffield’s proudest moments over its 95 years?
A key benefit of Voluntary Action Sheffield is that it’s been positioned to step into the gaps that have appeared at different points in Sheffield’s history, making sure there are protections in place for people who are vulnerable for a range of reasons. VAS’s role in coordinating community and volunteer responses during Covid-19 is such a tangible example of how vital that role is. Being in VAS made us feel proud and humbled by the people who work across the voluntary and community sector.
What do you consider the main benefits to volunteering?
It connects people who are unconnected, creates opportunities that build confidence and provides stepping stones for people who want to try new things or move in a new direction. It also provides capacity and power in our communities or within specific groups of people.
In March 2020 VAS issued a callout for volunteers and put together the Sheffield Covid-19 Support Map. What has the community response been like to the pandemic?
Awesome. There has been an incredible coming together between people and organisations, supporting each other to support vulnerable and isolating people. The amount of support and the speed at which people responded had a stabilising and reassuring impact on the city.
What are the priorities for VAS as the city emerges from the pandemic?
Addressing the impact of poverty, leading partners across Sheffield to work together to mitigate against the impact of financial cliff edges created by the lifting of Covid-19 support measures, focussing on empowering communities, and addressing health inequalities exacerbated by Covid-19.
The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, S1 4FW vas.org.uk
SAYiT
SAYiT is dedicated to supporting and uplifting LGBT+ young people in Sheffield. The charity has been running in Sheffield since 1999, focussing on sexual health and emotional wellbeing. It offers specialised support and social groups to those aged 11–25, delivers awarenessraising sessions in schools, supports parents and carers of LGBT+ people, and runs training to help organisations improve their knowledge and address discrimination. The Scotia Works, Leadmill Road, S1 4SE sayit.org.uk
Cathedral Archer Project
The Archer Project dates back to the 1980s, a decade of industrial decline and rising levels of unemployment and poverty in Sheffield. At that time, Sheffield Cathedral became a regular place of shelter for many in the city, welcoming homeless people and offering them a basic breakfast. The charity has grown from there and is now based in a purpose-built area within the Cathedral, where it provides support helping people move towards employment and an enjoyable, fulfilling life. Sheffield Cathedral, Campo Lane, S1 2EF archerproject.org.uk
ASSIST
Through temporary accommodation, food and support, ASSIST aims to alleviate the hardships of destitute and vulnerable asylum seekers in Sheffield. The charity is also dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of asylum seekers and integrating those who use their services into the wider community, by organising workshops, talks, concerts, carol services and more. Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Norfolk Street, S1 2JB assistsheffield.org.uk
Roundabout
Sheffield’s youth homeless charity Roundabout provides shelter, support and life skills to young people aged 16–24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. With a hostel and supported accommodation across the city, the charity helps young people live independently and learn how to break the cycle of homelessness. In an effort to prevent homelessness, Roundabout runs mediation and drop-in advice services from its Homeless Prevention Service in the city centre. You can support Roundabout by fundraising or taking part in one of its sponsored runs, bike rides or hikes, or its Bangers and Cash rally – due to return in 2022. The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, S1 4FW roundabouthomeless.org
Sheffield Futures
Star House is the welcoming hub of Sheffield Futures. This one-stop-shop offers confidential support with education, employment, training or personal issues, though the charity’s services spread far and wide, into communities, schools and youth clubs across the city. The charity is dedicated to helping people in the city achieve a better future and reach their full potential, regardless of their background. Whether it’s questions of careers, sexual health or after-school activities, the charity can point people towards the answers. As well as offering confidential, non-judgemental advice, Sheffield Futures values the voices of young people in the city, and ensures these voices get heard across Sheffield and beyond through projects like Sheffield Youth Cabinet, Sheffield Young Advisors and UK Youth Parliament. Star House, 43 Division Street, S1 4GE sheffieldfutures.org.uk
Foodhall
Foodhall
A colourful entranceway on Eyre Street leads to Foodhall, where everyone is welcome in both the kitchen and cafe. The social enterprise has seen volunteers in the kitchen ranging from Michelin star chefs to local people who just want to do some good with their love of cooking. In the cafe, people enjoy vegetarian meals made from food that may otherwise go to waste, in a friendly setting that promotes equality, inclusion and sharing. Foodhall’s pay-as-you-feel, communal model is inspired by the Commonwealth Cafe, a low-cost cafe and meeting place set up by the socialist poet and early LGBT+ activist Edward Carpenter in Shalesmoor in the late 19th century. 121 Eyre Street, S1 4QW foodhallproject.org
Help Us Help
People can find themselves on the street through a number of circumstances and bad luck. Help Us Help is a collaboration between all the varied services and charities who provide practical support, compassionate care and advice to the homeless in Sheffield city centre – like the Cathedral Archer Project, the King Street soup kitchen, and the Sunday Centre, which offers refuge, hot meals, activities and conversation on Sunday afternoons at Victoria Hall. Visit the Help Us Help campaign’s website to learn how you can donate to or volunteer for these agencies, see how they’ve helped people build fulfilling lives away from the street, and find out who to call if you’re concerned about someone. helpushelp.uk
Snowdrop Project
The charity launched in 2012 with the idea of providing long-term support to survivors of human trafficking beyond safe houses. It aims to empower survivors of human trafficking to move on from their past, and advocates for social change. Midcity House, 17 Furnival Gate, S1 4QR snowdropproject.co.uk
Age Better in Sheffield
The Age Better in Sheffield mission is to tackle loneliness and social isolation for people aged 50 and over. It does this through creative sessions, counselling, transport support, and more. During Covid-19 it has been running the Moments of Joy project, sparking connection with activities that are good for the mind, body and soul of older people across the city. 152 Rockingham Street, S1 4EB agebettersheff.co.uk
Ashiana Sheffield
With over 30 years’ experience, Ashiana works with Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) adults, children and young people fleeing domestic and sexual abuse. The charity provides practical and emotional support, driven by its conviction that everyone has the right to live in a safe environment. It also coordinates the South Yorkshire Modern Slavery Partnership, in response to modern slavery across the region. PO Box 367, S1 1HX ashianasheffield.org
The Corner
The Corner is a substance misuse service for people under 18. It supports young people to make positive change, offers treatment, advises family members, and runs training sessions for organisations working with young people. 91 Division Street, S1 4GE thecornersheffield.com
Maan Somali Mental Health Sheffield
This organisation works with the local Somali community to address mental health needs and related concerns. 8 Paradise Street, S1 2DF /maansmhs
LASS (Lesbian Asylum Support Sheffield)
A local volunteer-run organisation aimed at supporting and empowering asylum seekers and refugees who identify as women or as non-binary and are lesbian, bisexual or queer. The group holds monthly meetings at Together Women and a weekly ‘rainbow hub’ at Victoria Hall Methodist Church. lassheffield.org.uk
Autism Centre for Supported Employment
A small local charity breaking down barriers to employment for adults with Autism. It matches people with roles and work experience placements at partners ranging from high street names like WH Smith and Primark to the City Council, the University of Sheffield and Vue cinema. Courtwood House, Silver Street Head, S1 2DD ac4se.org
SAVTE
SAVTE helps speakers of other languages develop their English language skills, with the aim of helping them to gain confidence, independence and a sense of community. The Circle, Rockingham Lane, S1 4FW savte.org.uk
Sheffield BID
In 2015, over 400 businesses in Sheffield city centre collectively decided to invest in improving their trading environment. They wanted a busier, more vibrant city centre. They wanted a city centre that’s cleaner, safer and more welcoming. And they wanted a stronger voice. That’s where Sheffield BID comes in. The BID (Business Improvement District) – delivered through a not-for-profit private partnership – is the very centre of Sheffield, marked out by the boundary of the old inner city ring road.
Within this area, Sheffield BID’s action plan is to contribute to the trading and working environment with services and activities that are additional to what Sheffield City Council does. The BID supports the events programme to drive city centre vibrancy. It funds activities, ideas and innovations that bring people and trade opportunities into the city centre. Businesses renewed their commitment to continuing the city centre BID in February 2021 meaning that they, through the BID Company, will invest almost £4m over the next five years. This guide is just one of Sheffield BID’s projects. To discover more about Sheffield BID please visit: sheffieldbid.com and
sheffieldcitycentre.com
/sheffieldbid /sheffafter5 /SheffieldBID
If you run an independent business in the city centre (see map on p138 for areas covered by the BID) that doesn’t appear in this guide, call 0114 339 2015 or email
