ASSIST is proud to be a local charity, firmly rooted in the Sheffield area. 

Here at ASSIST Sheffield we support some of the most marginalised people living in Sheffield - people who have been unsuccessful in their applications for asylum and as a result have been made destitute. Many of them have escaped the unimaginable horrors of war, violence and persecution, but simply telling the truth about the conditions they have fled sadly isn't always enough.

Without refugee status, people seeking sanctuary are not allowed to work. Once their initial application for asylum has been turned down many are left with no right to housing, benefits or other vital support. They're left homeless, destitute and vulnerable on the streets of our city.

What we do
People who are refused asylum and, as a result, are made destitute feel dehumanised and degraded by the experience. We aim to give them the resources, support and dignity they deserve.

We focus our resources on the things we know people need the most:

We provide a safe place to sleep

ASSIST works to ensure that nobody who is seeking asylum has to sleep on the streets of our city after their asylum case has been disbelieved.

We provide three types of accommodation:

emergency accommodation
temporary accommodation with host families
dedicated houses donated or loaned to us for accommodating people we support

We provide people who are destitute with a small amount of money

We give people who have been refused asylum, and who have no other income, a small weekly welfare payment. This means that they can buy small items they need the most, such as toiletries, or make some contribution to the household where they are staying, Sometimes we replace part of the payment with a free bus pass so they can travel to attend vital medical, legal and Home Office appointments.

We help people to survive and integrate

At our weekly Help Desk our first priority is to meet immediate and basic human needs. We make referrals to our emergency accommodation, issue emergency payments and food vouchers, and direct clients to food banks, clothing banks and sources of medical help.

We provide information on places where people who are seeking asylum can spend their time, meet other people, learn English and more. We work with them so they can become part of the Sheffield community, overcome isolation and improve their situation and well-being.

We give longer term assistance by working with clients to pursue their asylum claim through our support service.

We shout about asylum destitution

We work hard to get the voices of people seeking asylum heard in Sheffield, and to get their needs recognised.

We run events, give talks, run stalls at local fairs and festivals, and work hand-in-hand with other local organisations to build on Sheffield’s track record as a welcoming city, a City of Sanctuary. We are proud to be part of a city which stands up for the rights of everyone who lives here, no matter where they come from.

If you are someone who has been refused asylum and are in need of ASSIST’s support:

You can find us at the Multi-Agency drop-in at Victoria Hall (Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 2JB) every Wednesday between 1-3pm. You can find more information here: The Multi-agency Drop-in - City of Sanctuary Sheffield

Please complete this referral form.

Please be aware that we can only accept referrals for single adults who have at any time in the past applied for, and subsequently been refused, asylum in the UK and cannot access any other support.

If the person you are seeking to refer does not meet this criteria please contact City of Sanctuary Sheffield (07419348379) or the British Red Cross (0114 2427385).