The City of Sanctuary Connections Project

Isolation. Loneliness. Exclusion. These are words we’re hearing a lot at the moment from our friends and neighbours across the country.

They are feelings that many people seeking sanctuary in our hostile environment were experiencing on a daily basis before the pandemic and they are feelings that have now been heightened by it. Much of the work to support people in crisis is being done by local communities who have rallied round individuals during this difficult time and watching their response has been inspirational.

This month’s City of Sanctuary Sheffield newsletter is focussed on our response to this pandemic of loneliness – the ‘Connections Project’.

I hope you enjoy reading about it and thank you for your continuing support of City of Sanctuary Sheffield.

City of Sanctuary ‘Connections Project’ 🔗

💖The Purpose💖
To connect and support asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants who are suffering from isolation and loneliness📞The Phonecall📞
Trained volunteers will call for a weekly catch-up, giving ideas about how to stay active and healthy during lockdown and picking up any urgent support needs and referring these to The Virtual Sanctuary and other partners

🧑The People👩
This project is run by our brilliant staff team and supported by a dedicated team of 25 trained volunteers. We get referrals from GPs, the Health Inclusion Team, IAPT, the New Beginnings Project

⚡The Power⚡
Connections volunteers have identified need and supported with food, clothes, nappies, children’s books and games, an electric heater, ideas for walks in local parks and other things to do during lockdown. People receiving the calls have reported that they feel better after the calls and almost all people called have asked for the calls to continue