We’re so excited to have Blessan as part of the amazing team at City of Sanctuary Sheffield.  Below he tells us a bit about himself and his new role:

“My Name is Blessan Babu. I started working as the SPRING Front of House Welcome and Support Worker at the beginning of this year. 

Background: I was born and brought up in India, and have been living in the UK since 2010. I am married and we have two boys, who are 11 and 7. 

My Job: I love working at SPRING project at City of Sanctuary Sheffield. Refugees and asylum seekers are close to my heart, and it’s exciting to be part of an amazing organisation like CoSS. 

My job involves working with newly granted refugees, supporting them with housing, benefits, education and mental health issues. This is made possible through working with SPRING partners like Sheffield City Council, Citizenship Advice Sheffield, New Beginnings Project, SAVTE, and Solace. 

I get in touch with the service users for an initial assessment with the help of an interpreter if necessary and after that I will refer them to the relevant SPRING partners, sometimes following up the referrals and escalating cases if necessary.

All of this is to make sure that refugees have access to what they are entitled to and are empowered to build a life for themselves in this city.

A bit about me: I love cooking, playing and supporting cricket (India of course!), diversity, inclusivity and justice!”