In a sentence – We fight for long-term systemic change for people seeking sanctuary
In-depth – Our mission to build a city that is safe and welcoming for all is not possible under the current asylum and refuge system. Therefore, we cannot work with people seeking sanctuary without striving to change the system they are forced to navigate. As the government prioritizes hostility and division, our advocacy and system change team fights for long-term system change.
Advocacy
We work closely with people seeking sanctuary, listening to and understanding their experiences. We amplify the voices of individuals with lived experience of seeking sanctuary who are empowered to take the lead in advocating for change.
“I felt I was put in a corner for 20 years without the possibility of speaking out. I was scared and broken, but now, I feel strong. It is time for them to listen to our voices.”
– M’s speech at Sheffield Town Hall after 20 years in the Asylum system
For example, we visit the hotels that people seeking asylum, including families and children, are being accommodated in. By collecting information about the issues they are facing, we have been able to escalate human rights violations with the Home Office, Sheffield City Council and regional/ national stakeholders. As a result, we’ve prevented people from being dispersed to unsuitable accommodation, kept families united, improved living conditions in asylum accommodation, and ensured unsuitable accommodation has been permanently closed.
Campaigning
Our advocacy work fuels our campaigns for systemic change. We are currently focused on several key areas:
Lift the Ban: Give People Seeking Asylum the Right to Work
Free Bus Travel for People Seeking Asylum
Legal Aid: Collaboratively, with ASSIST and South Yorkshire Refugee Law and Justice, we are leading the Sheffield Legal Advice Solidarity Project to enhance the quality and accessibility of legal immigration advice and representation.
A is a Kurdish journalist from Iran who is currently seeking asylum in Sheffield and volunteering with the Advocacy and Systems Change Team.
“I was looking for a refuge where I could rebuild my already destroyed life away from this violence, hostile environment and political rhetoric. CoSS was the best place where I could slowly create this opportunity for myself to be present again in the society. Since I did not have the right to work, this ban left a devastating and irreparable impact on my life, I chose to fight for the right to work, write about it and highlight the hidden violence in this legal discrimination against ordinary people. When I found out that the “Advocacy and System Change Group” was working on this in the “Lift the Ban” campaign, I joined them.“
Our Advocacy and Systems Change work extends throughout all of our work. We use our position skillfully to both support people as they navigate the asylum system and work to change that system.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions