Everything we do at City of Sanctuary Sheffield is guided by the insights and feedback of people with lived experience, ensuring our work remains grounded, relevant, and impactful.
From The Multi-Agency Drop-In to our social media posts on Instagram and Facebook, every activity is shaped by the meaningful feedback we receive from people with lived experience every day.
But receiving this feedback is not a passive process – it requires careful planning, sensitive engagement and active listening.
Our approach can be synthesised into a single question…
What does it mean to be truly seen, heard, and understood?
This powerful question lies at the centre of KNOW ME – a new research project led by the Experts by Experience (EbE) team at City of Sanctuary Sheffield. The project is our next vital step towards breaking the harmful “them and us” culture that often surrounds people seeking sanctuary. At its heart, KNOW ME is about listening – deeply and intentionally – to those who have experienced the asylum system firsthand.
What is “KNOW ME”?
For too long, the voices of people seeking sanctuary have been sidelined in conversations about their own futures. The KNOW ME project seeks to change that by helping shift the narrative: from speaking about people to listening to them.
By engaging directly with asylum seekers, refugees, volunteers, and staff at The Sanctuary, the EbE team will explore:
- What it means to be truly seen, heard, and understood
- What barriers exist to mutual understanding and connection
- What changes could help sanctuary seekers feel more valued and included in Sheffield
Who Is Involved?
The project brings together diverse voices from across the City of Sanctuary Sheffield community, including:
- People seeking sanctuary currently accessing services
- Volunteers with lived experience, supporting others in the community
- Members of the Experts by Experience team
- Staff at City of Sanctuary Sheffield
Each of these groups brings vital insight and perspective to the project, contributing to a fuller, more nuanced understanding of inclusion, dignity, and human connection.
How Is the Research Being Conducted?
KNOW ME is a qualitative research project rooted in stories, experiences, and conversations. The EbE team is conducting semi-structured interviews and focus groups, allowing participants to speak freely and in their preferred language (with interpretation available).
Sessions are being recorded (with full consent) and carefully documented to ensure that everyone’s voice is accurately represented.
Ethics and Safeguarding
The wellbeing and rights of participants are central to this work. The project follows strict ethical guidelines, including:
- Informed consent from all participants
- Confidentiality of shared information
- The right to withdraw at any time
- Safeguarding measures in line with organisational policy
What Will the Project Achieve?
The KNOW ME project isn’t just about gathering information—it’s about sparking change. The insights gathered will lead to several tangible outcomes:
- A detailed research report with key findings and recommendations
- Co-created tools and resources to help organisations better listen and engage with sanctuary seekers
- A launch event to share findings and celebrate the voices that shaped the work
A Step Towards Belonging
Whether it’s building better relationships, challenging assumptions, or designing more inclusive services – change begins with listening.
KNOW ME sends a powerful signal that working in solidarity with others is it is about people. It is about creating spaces where sanctuary seekers are not just welcomed but genuinely known and valued for who they are.
The journey we share – to build a city that truly feels like a sanctuary – must be rooted in deep listening. It should be the golden thread that weaves through all we do. The Know Me research marks a vital step forward on that path.