ASSIST Sheffield

Last week, more than 10 members joined volunteers and staff for an afternoon of world cuisine, games, laughter and connection. 🫂

The end-of-summer party was organised and led by our Member Advisory Group (MAG). We cooked a diverse spread including Pakistani curry, Guyanese macaroni pie, Ghanaian jollof rice, delicious muffins and date flapjacks. 🌍🍴

We also played mini table tennis, Jenga and card games, while catching up, socialising and getting to know each other in a safe and fun space. 🎲🏓

"It was nice to enjoy with other people and be together. Everybody was cooking their own [cultural] food and we shared to people. I am happy that I was able to suggest something and it happened. I like to cook. I like to eat" - AN, ASSIST Member

A huge thank you to the MAG for making this happen. Lived experience sits at the heart of what we do, and we’re grateful for everything our members contribute to ASSIST. Your ideas, experience and leadership continue to make our organisation stronger. 💪🏽

Thanks also to The Furnival for hosting us, and to our supporters and funders who make events like this possible.

Hostility, dehumanisation and violence towards people seeking sanctuary have become increasingly normalised; therefore these treasured moments of community power, joy, connection and belonging matter more than ever. 🧡

Less than two weeks to go! A huge thank you to The Grand Plan for putting on this exciting evening of live music in support of ASSIST and those seeking asylum in our community 🧡

Join The Grand Plan and Ro Rostant at the wonderful Hagglers Corner for a night of rock, pop, R&B and soul, spanning the 60s to the 00s. 🎶

📅 Saturday 3 October
📍 Hagglers Corner, 586 Queens Rd, Sheffield
🕢 Doors open at 7:30pm
🎟️ £11

We’re expecting a sell-out, so grab your tickets while you can!
https://wegottickets.com/f/24273

We are so excited to be performing with the amazing Ro Rostant at our next event on 3rd October at Hagglers: tickets on sale here. Get yours soon - we expect a sellout! https://wegottickets.com/f/24273. All proceeds to Sheffield asylum seekers charity, Assist :-)

At a time when hostility and violence towards people seeking sanctuary and migrants are unprecedented, and immigration detention is at historic levels, knowing your rights is more important than ever. 🪧

People seeking asylum are being housed in life-degrading former military sites, such as at Crowborough and Wethersfield, where prison-like conditions strip away human rights, isolate people from local communities and limit access to healthcare, legal advice and other vital support.

Against this backdrop, we held our first Know Your Rights workshop, bringing together 20 members and 10 volunteers to learn about immigration detention, share experiences and build knowledge. 💬

We’ll be running more sessions in the future, creating spaces to learn, ask questions and grow our solidarity. 🧡

📖 Click the link below to read our new article to find out more
https://www.assistsheffield.org.uk/content/know-your-rights-building-knowledge-and-solidarity-around-immigration-detention
✊🏼 Follow Coalition to Keep Campsfield Closed and join their monthly demonstrations. Also support The No To Hassockfield Campaign, calling for the closure of the Women’s Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in County Durham.
📅 18–25 October: Save the date for the National Week of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention. (Right to Remain)

Alongside 184 organisations we signed a joint statement coordinated by Amnesty International UK, calling on the UK Government to act against the normalised and escalating racist violence, Islamophobia and anti-migrant intimidation across the country.

From Norfolk to Dover and Portsmouth, organised groups are trying to turn fear into hatred and violence. For two consecutive weekends in Portsmouth, far-right protesters have targeted residents and people seeking safety as they were brought ashore, as well as the RNLI crews who rescued them.

This hostility doesn’t happen in isolation. It is fuelled by divisive political and media narratives that repeatedly blame, dehumanise and portray people seeking sanctuary, migrants, and other minoritised communities as a threat.

The people targeted are our friends and neighbours. Our response must be rooted in solidarity and community power. So join us and stand with everyone facing racist violence and hostility, and with the communities organising to resist it. ✊🏼

Read the full statement via the link below🔗
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/issues/racial-justice/amnesty-international-uk-statement-on-the-escalation-in-racist-violence/

150+ organisations are raising the alarm on the horrifying escalation in racist violence and intimidation.

In one weekend, we saw:
- Newly formed far-right group chanting “stop the boats” at Dover’s port.
- Groups of men gathering in Portsmouth saying they were trying to “block” the arrival of people seeking asylum.
- A fire was started in Glasgow after rumours the building was housing people seeking asylum.

These events – as with those we’ve seen previously - are not isolated incidents.

We must come together to demand the government takes serious action.

Leave a legacy of solidarity with ASSIST 🧡

This week is Remember A Charity Week. A week encouraging people to think about the charities and causes they care about, and the impact a gift in your Will could make.

A legacy gift can help us continue standing in solidarity with people seeking sanctuary and challenging asylum destitution for years to come. Every gift, large or small, makes a huge difference. 🙏🏼

Find out more about legacy giving in the post below ⬇

Last week, two members of the ASSIST team, Luke and Jake (representing Beyond Climate Collaborative), joined various organisations and individuals all doing amazing work in Liverpool for the Climate, Migrant and Racial Justice Movement-Building Summit. 💬

Coordinated by the Climate & Migrant Justice Organising Group and convened by the Climate Justice Coalition, the two-day summit brought people together to strengthen the movements working across the intersections of climate, migrant and racial justice.

At ASSIST, we see these struggles intersect every day. The climate crisis is driving displacement and mobility, while migrant communities face growing racism, border violence and an increasingly hostile environment not only in this country but across the world. 🌍

We also see the power of community and resistance. The summit created space to organise, connect, celebrate and imagine the kind of movement we want to build. One rooted in racial justice, solidarity and joy. 🧡

The challenges are huge. But so is our collective power. ✊🏼

Also, a huge thank you to the organisers, all the session leads, and everyone working behind the scenes to make the summit happen. 🙏🏼

Save the date! The Hope Valley Art Trail by Rail is back this September (26-27), bringing together more than 40 brilliant local artists across Hope Valley, between Grindleford and Chinley. 🚂

Hop on and off the train and discover artists opening their studios and creative spaces along the line. Including familiar faces from the ASSIST community, such as Maggie Norman Art in Grindleford, whose generous support includes donating a percentage of her art sales to ASSIST. 🎨

It’s a great way to support local artists, explore the beautiful scenic area and historic rail line, and enjoy a creative day out.

The Hope Valley Art Trail by Rail returns for its second year on Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 September 2026.

Organised by Hope Valley Climate Action and supported by TransPennine Express and Peak District by Train the free trail invites residents and visitors to explore local art and culture sustainably, by train, bus and on foot.

Where: hop on and off the train to explore and take part in local art between Grindleford and Chinley station

When: 10-5pm both days

How: Collect your art trail map on the day at one of the participating venues.

The full programme of venues, artists and activities will be on the Hope Valley Climate Action website a few weeks before the event. For now save the date for this unique experience and book your free ticket on the HVCA website to keep up to date.

Poster artwork designed by Emily

Less than 4 weeks to go! 📣4️⃣

Are you running the Sheffield 10K this year? Or thinking about signing up? Why not raise money for ASSIST as you run? 🏃🏃🏾‍♀️💸

Take on the challenge, set up a fundraiser, and help raise vital funds to support people seeking sanctuary and challenge asylum destitution in our community. 🧡

Get in touch to find out how you can get involved.

A busy bank holiday weekend is coming up! 📣

Lots is happening across Sheffield and beyond, and we’re proud to be part of so many spaces where people are coming together in solidarity, community and resistance.

✊🏼 Close Campsfield – Join the monthly demonstration outside Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre on Saturday at 12pm to stand against immigration detention and the Hostile Environment.
Coalition to Keep Campsfield Closed

🍫 Sacred Golden Pod Breaking Ceremony – On Saturday, the wider Tribe of Afrikaniwa, hosted by Chocolate Has A Name Collective, VVIDY - Voice of Voiceless Immigration Detainees Yorkshire and partner organisations, will bring people together in Sheffield to explore cocoa, colonial histories, migration, resistance, dignity and reparative justice, while honouring the life and legacy of Dr Pious Nyandoro.

🏳️‍⚧️ Sheffield Trans+ Pride – On Sunday, come together to support and stand in solidarity with Sheffield's trans+ community. Start at the Town Hall as we march to Endcliffe Park for celebrations.

🌳 Sheffield Fayre – Find the ASSIST stall at Norfolk Heritage Park on Monday. Say hello, learn about our work and join us for a family-friendly day in the park.

Find out more about these special occasions and get involved!

This is far from an exhaustive list of everything happening across the city or nationally this weekend. It’s simply a selection of the events and spaces we’re connected to. There’s plenty more happening, so find out what’s taking place in your own communities and discover ways to get involved. 🧡