NRC AGM at The Circle Tuesday Jan 24th 3-6pm

A reminder…

Northern Refugee Centre’s AGM with guest speaker Prof. Danny Dorling whose research interests include “trying to understand and map the changing social, political and medical geographies of Britain and further afield, concentrating on social and spatial inequalities to life chances and how these may be narrowed”. He is also a columnist for the Guardian and has recently written the article: Border Controls? Here is a Long Line of Reasons to Relax.

At The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield S1 4FW

also STOP PRESS

Story telling session on Wednesday 25th, 10am-12.30pm. An opportunity to share your life stories, facilitated by Graham Birkin of the Workers’ Education Association. At Scotia Works, Leadmill Road, S1 4SE.

Looking forward to a week of stimulating speakers plus time for reflection, ending in celebration..

On Tuesday 24th, Quaker Meeting House is the venue for two events:

at 1.30pm Who Is Your Neighbour? is hosting a presentation and workshop with guest speaker PHil Wood considering how cities can use their diversity in creative, inclusive and intercultural ways.

at 3pm Northern Refugee Centre’s AGM features guest speaker Danny Dorling will address the impact of immigration.

Full details of both events and those below can be found here.

On Thursday 26th Who Is Your Neighbour is hosting a second event on
“Media demonisation – the ‘othering’ of white working class communities” – in Rotherham.

On Friday from 12noon Sheffield will mark Holocaust Memorial Day with an exhibition and lighting of candles in the Peace Gardens.

On Saturday it’s multicultural festival day at SADACCA, hosted by DNA Culture and featuring workshops and performances by musicians and dancers from all over the world.

We look forward to seeing you at all or some of these, and don’t forget to check out our website for full details.

Dear All,

Seasonal greetings from the staff and trustees of Sheffield City of Sanctuary and heartfelt thanks for all your support last year. These are difficult times for people working in the voluntary sector and especially for those seeking sanctuary. Thanks to the generosity of our funders City of Sanctuary is well placed to continue our work making people aware of the needs of asylum seekers and refugees through 2012, and we look forward to working with you to create a spirit of welcome to everyone who arrives in the city.

Happy New Year!

Tomorrow the Karen Community will hold their annual new years party – it’s not to be missed!

Karen New Year Sheffield

Sat 7th January, 11 am to 4pm, Mount Tabor Methodist Church, Wordsworth Avenue, Sheffield S5 8NJ.

The Karen Community Association UK cordially invites you to come and join auspicious 2751 Karen New Year Celebration: Free Buffet and Soft Drinks will be available after the main program. The detailed programme will be distributed on the day and will include a few short speeches, Karen songs and a special Don dance.

“We would be delighted if you could join us on this special day.
We look forward to welcoming you all at the Karen New Year Day Celebration.”
Karen New Year Celebration Committee UK

Public Transport: First bus service, No 72, 53 and Stage Coach No 79, Parson Cross, Doe Royd Lane ((W- bound )

Aung San Suu Kyi – Lady of No Fear

New documentary – available nation wide

Aung San Suu Kyi is known first and foremost as the political
opposition leader at the centre of 20 years of social unrest and
turmoil in Burma. What many do not know is that she started out as a
British housewife in the upper echelons of Oxford society before she
returned to her oppressed homeland and joined the struggle for
freedom. Since her return she was held under house arrest for fifteen
years during which she had minimal contact with her family.

Sowing Seeds of Sanctuary – TONIGHT

Sage Greenfingers are holding an event showcasing their experience of engaging with refugees and asylum seekers. This will take place at:

The Welcome Centre, Nottingham St, Pitsmoor

They will be sharing what they’ve learned during a year-long refugee and asylum seeker project and showing their brand new DVD: “SOWING SEEDS OF SANCTUARY”.

All welcome.

Saturday is Human Rights Day and..

Sheffield Amnesty International group are holding a vigil and readings outside the Town Hall 1-2pm,

ASSIST are holding their Carol Concert at Sacred Heart in Hillsborough, 479 Langsett Road, Hillsborough S6 2LN from 3pm,

There’s a special “Acts of Memory” celebration at Sheffield Town Hall from 6.30pm,

Then a Free Radicals Benefit Gig at Broomhall Centre, Broomspring Lane, S10 2FD, 8pm till midnight

Hello Friends,

Get down to the boom-boom Broomhall centre – among other places – for some fun with a heart!

“New Roots, New Rhymes”

Saturday 3rd December at 6.30 pm, Broomhall Centre, Broomspring lane. Entrance £3.

Acts include:

Dave Roberts Effect
Captives on the Carousel
New Roots All Stars
and more….

Veggie and vegan food on offer – yum.

In aid of ASSIST!

Info on the web here :

here

SHEFFIELD AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENTS

10th December, Human Rights Day vigil outside Sheffield Town Hall at 1-2 pm.

“We will very much welcome being joined by anyone who shares our concerns. Don’t let them get away with it! Bring your organisation’s placards and banners by all means, but most importantly we want to see you there.”

10th December, Broomhall. (Tickets £7/£4 concessions)

we will celebrate with live music from the amazing funk and soul band, The Free Radicals at the Broomhall Centre,

ASSIST carol service

Saturday 10th December 2011 at 3pm, at Sacred Heart, Hillsborough, 479 Langsett Road, Hillsborough S6 2LN.

From 2-3 pm we will make christingles. Children are welcome to join us and make their own christingle for free that they can use in the service. You don’t have to bring anything, just turn up and we will give you the things you need.

“Christingle” means “Christ light” and the object symbolises the birth of Jesus. Making christingles is a tradition, and something fun for kids to do at Christmas time. (You can read more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/12/05/christingle_featur...)

Our carol service starts at 3 pm. We will have music from round the world (Persian singers, Zimbabwean choir and Mexican dancers) as well as the traditional Christmas story.

How to find us:

Dear Friends,

Please get into the festive spirit by attending one of the fun events below.

ASSIST “Big Sing”

Sat, 26/11/2011 – 18:00 – 20:00 Central United Reformed Church, Sheffield (opposite the crucible)

BIG SING led by the master of music at St Marie’s Cathedral, Philip Jakob, who is a member of the Iona Community. The music is mainly from the Christian tradition but everyone is welcome whatever their faith. No singing talent is needed! You may want to join in or just sit and listen to the music in quiet reflection. There is no charge, although there will be an opportunity to make a donation to ASSIST’s work.

For more details, contact ASSIST (www.assistsheffield.org.uk): 0114 275 4960

ASSIST Carol Service

Sat, 10/12/2011 – 15:00 Sacred Heart in Hillsborough, 479 Langsett Road, Hillsborough S6 2LN. Map Link

We will have music from round the world as well as the traditional Christmas story. We would love to have lots of people to join us from all over the city so please spread the word.

For more details, contact ASSIST (www.assistsheffield.org.uk): 0114 275 4960

RASAG IT CLUB HOLIDAY BLOG-GANZA

Monday 19th December 12 – 3 PM

Sharrow Old Junior School, South View Road, S7 1DB

Training Suite and Library

Entertainment by IT Clubbers (on Youtube)

GUEST BLOG for visitors – FREE plate of food for guests who blog!

1 pm – 2 pm TWITTER IN 20 MINS – 3 x mini-workshops

£2 food fine for guests who don’t use IT

HOT FOOD – Halal and Vegetarian

BY Sheffield RASAG Members

ALL WELCOME!

Bring Kids!

Drop In!

http://sheffieldrasag.wordpress.com/

Dear Supporters,

The festive time is coming around again and those people seeking sanctuary who have been made destitute will have little to look forward to as the days get darker and colder… Three initiatives that you can support/promote to help are detailed below.

RASAG IT Club

Every Monday, 11 am – 3 pm, Old Junior School, South View Road, S7 1DB

The IT Club provides a friendly warm environment with high speed internet access and ESOL/Literacy/IT support. The numbers have been growing every week. We offer a free hot lunch for all attendees. We also refund bus fares to unwaged participants. Please tell anyone who may enjoy this . We also need help with paired reading and IT support. Donations are also welcome, so feel free to bring along a packet of biscuits or other items that may be of use to our members. For more info please email katelyn_mckeown@yahoo.co.uk

ASSIST Big Sing

Saturday 26th November 2011 at 6-8 pm, at the Central United Reformed Church, Sheffield (opposite the crucible).

BIG SING

Do you like to sing, or do you just like hearing beautiful music?

ASSIST Sheffield is putting on a “Big Sing” on Saturday 26th November 2011 at 6-8 pm, at the Central United Reformed Church, Sheffield (opposite the crucible).

It will be led by the master of music at St Marie’s Cathedral, Philip Jakob, who is a member of the Iona Community. The music is mainly from the Christian tradition but everyone is welcome whatever their faith. No singing talent is needed! You may want to join in or just sit and listen to the music in quiet reflection. There is no charge, although there will be an opportunity to make a donation to ASSIST’s work.

For more details, contact ASSIST (www.assistsheffield.org.uk): 0114 275 4960

ASSIST CAROL SERVICE

Saturday 10th December 2011 at 3pm.

You are warmly invited to the ASSIST carol service on Saturday 10th December 2011 at 3pm.

Dear Supporters,

Please find below the details of some exciting events and activities, including two tonight (Wednesday 26th)!

Asylum Awareness Evening

Wednesday 26th October, 7.30pm, Octagon TV Lounge.

Sheffield STAR and Medsin present…the Asylum Awareness Evening. Every day we hear stories in the media about ‘immigrants’, ‘asylum seekers’ and ‘refugees’ – but how much do really know about the people behind these labels? Come along to this open dialogue between the leaders of Sheffield charities CDAS (Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers) and ASSIST (Asylum Seeker Support Initiative in the Short Term). Wednesday 26th October, 7.30pm, Octagon TV Lounge. Free entry, refreshments available. Contact Erin Mee (mee3746@hotmail.co.uk) or Emily Nicol (emilymay89@gmail.com) for more information.

What can Sheffield learn from the riots?

Wed, 26/10/2011 – 19:00, Public debate organised by One Sheffield Many Cultures at Quaker Meeting House, 10 St. James Street, Sheffield (near Cathedral tram stop)

Panel includes:

Prof. David Waddington, Sheffield Hallam University
Jeremy Clifford, Editor, Sheffield Star
Rashida Islam, Sheffield University Black Students’ Committee

Chaired by Paulette Edwards of BBC Radio Sheffield

Daljit Nagra and Lily Mosini Poetry event

Thu, 27/10/2011 – 19:30 At Quaker Meeting House, St`James STreet, S1
Tickets £6/£4 (cons) from: Arena Ticket Shop Tel. 0114 256 5567

Iranian poet Lily Mosini has experienced brutal persecution because of her work, and now lives with the threat of deportation. This is an unmissable opportunity to hear this powerful writer and activist. Clare Shaw will be joining Lily to read translations.

- one of two upcoming opportunities to make your voice heard

“One Sheffield Many Cultures” is holding a public discussion at Quaker Meeting House tonight at 7pm to explore what Sheffield can learn from the riots. Paulette Edwards of BBC Radio Sheffield will be in the chair, with Professor Dave Waddington of Hallam University, Editor of The Star Jeremy Clifford and Rashida Islam of Sheffield University Black Students Committee on the panel. Do come along and join the discussion.

And there’s still time to reserve your place at a public seminar entitled “How can we make Sheffield a better place for all?”. This is being held at the Town Hall on Thursday November 10th, from 1.00-4.15pm. To reserve your place please email: info@sheffieldfaithsforum.org.uk or phone: 0114 275 00 00

Three very special poetry events are taking place in Sheffield this
week.

The first is hosted by the Conversation Club and features Nigerian poet
Chinwe Azubuike, on Tuesday October 24th from 7pm at Quaker Meeting House.

Next is on Thursday October 27th, also at Quaker Meeting House, and features
Daljit Nagra and Lily Mosini, the latter a poet who has experienced brutal
persecution because of her work, and now lives with the threat of
deportation.

Finally on Saturday Somali poets Seni Seneviratne and Caasha-Luul Mohamud
Yusuf will be reading from their work from 7.30pm at the Lantern Theatre,
Kenwood Park Road, S7.

You can find more details about all these events on our website here
http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/sheffield/events or on the Off The Shelf
website here http://www.offtheshelf.org.uk/programme.php