During lockdown, our volunteers have been hard at work co-ordinating and helping out with the Migrant COVID-19 Support Group. This part of The Virtual Sanctuary that has supported 245 people in under two months with deliveries of important items including food, toiletries and radios alongside provision of immigration advice and support for isolated individuals.

The support group has reached into postcodes across the geographic span of Sheffield and the surrounding area:

And has helped individuals and families at all stages of the asylum journey:

Here’s what some of the individuals and families we’ve helped have had to say about the support they have received:

“It has been very important for me at this time to have the help of the sanctuary. I am very grateful for your support and your kindness.”

“I just want to thank Sanctuary for their support during this time because I was able to have access to food and essential goods.”

“This help that you have given us is really something that I and my family are very grateful for. It is very important, because we are in a situation where our food is very limited and now this is the best thing that your help has given us. We appreciate it so much!”

City of Sanctuary Sheffield is committed to making sure people are included, connected and supported during the pandemic, and we are working with organisations across the city to build a dynamic and responsive support network for individuals and families seeking sanctuary in the city. We are enormously grateful for the hard work of everyone who has helped so far with the Migrant COVID-19 Support Group.