ASSIST Sheffield

28/05/2026

Huge congratulations to Sheffield DocFest on receiving the Sanctuary and the Arts Award! 🏆

This is incredibly well-deserved. For years, the festival has brought profound, moving personal stories of displacement, war, refuge, and sanctuary to the big screens of Sheffield. Above all, these documentaries have celebrated human resilience, community, and hope. 🧡

By platforming global documentary filmmakers and industry professionals, Sheffield DocFest shares the vital stories that demand our attention, both on and behind the screen. We are lucky to have the UK's leading documentary festival and its brilliant team right here in our city.

Sheffield DocFest 2026 is returning in two weeks from 10–15 June, and it’s bigger than ever. This year's programme spans 64 countries, featuring 45 World Premieres, 17 International Premieres, and 5 European Premieres. 🌍

Explore the full programme and grab your tickets/passes below
🔗 https://www.sheffdocfest.com/

Congratulations to Sheffield DocFest on receiving the Sanctuary and the Arts Award! 🎬✨🏆

The award was given by in recognition of Sheffield DocFest's strong commitment to telling the stories of people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary.

Our own Dr Ibtissam Al-Farah, Experts by Experience (EbE) Team Coordinator at City of Sanctuary Sheffield, served as a panel member in the award process.

Sheffield DocFest is one of the UK’s leading documentary festivals, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences from around the world to celebrate documentary storytelling.

Sheffield DocFest 2026 kicks off next month in venues across the city.

📅 Date: 10–15 June
📍 Location: Venues across Sheffield
🔗 Tickets and Programme: https://www.sheffdocfest.com/

Well done to everyone on the Sheffield DocFest team for their commitment to sharing powerful stories that deserve to be heard. 🧡

27/05/2026

From all of us at ASSIST, Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating Eid al-Adha in Sheffield and beyond. 🌙🐐

21/05/2026

Want to shape the future of ASSIST? We are looking for new Trustees! 📣

For 23 years, we have supported people seeking sanctuary by providing essential support and community. Now, we need your expertise to grow! We’re seeking people with experience in:
✅ Safeguarding and serious incident management
✅ Management of housing portfolios
✅ Finances and/or accounting

Ready to join our Board? Find out more and apply here: 🔽
https://www.assistsheffield.org.uk/content/we-are-recruiting-new-trustees

18/05/2026

"We are not strangers at all, but neighbours with common struggles." 💙

This week is Million Acts of Hope. A UK-wide celebration of the everyday people making a difference in their communities.

Tell us: what hopeful acts do you see happening in your community?

18/05/2026

Fancy a smile? has showcased the best of us, highlighting everyday acts of kindness and compassion that exist throughout the UK. In a time when dehumanisation and hostility towards those seeking sanctuary and all migrants are prevalent, we needed positivity and love. Thousands of people from all walks of life have united for a common cause: hope 🧡

These acts of hope remind us of what makes us human, an emotion that transcends hate and division.

Watch the film below by A Million Acts of Hope 👇🏼

14/05/2026

5 Marathons in 5 Days for Mental Health, Solidarity and Justice 🥾✊🏼

From 28 July–1 August, Eve and Jake will hike 130 miles across the Peak District (over 5,000m of ascent in just 5 days)!

They are honouring Dr Pious Nyandoro, our former Co-Chair of Trustees and co-founder of VVIDY, who we lost last August to a mental health crisis caused by the Hostile Environment policies.

Together, with your support, they will walk the same distance from Pious’ home in Sheffield to his memorial service in Letchworth. Turning grief into power and resistance. 💪🏼

Their goal is to raise £12,000 to: replenish the community funds used for Pious’ repatriation, help secure the long-term future of VVIDY, and create a community mural in his memory.

This fundraiser builds on the generosity shown after Pious’ passing, including donations to emergency fundraisers organised by ASSIST, VVIDY - Voice of Voiceless Immigration Detainees Yorkshire, and the Racial Justice Network - UK. So thank you to everyone who donated. 🙏🏼

Their route will form a giant orange heart across the beautiful landscape, reclaiming a universal symbol of welcome. Every step is a refusal to let Pious’ story end as a statistic. 🧡

We are collectively announcing this challenge during A Million Acts of Hope and . At a time of rising dehumanisation towards people seeking sanctuary, Eve and Jake are walking in solidarity with those whose mental health is impacted by these hostile systems.

🔗 Please donate & share:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/5-marathons-in-5-days

Follow along for updates as the challenge approaches. If you’d like to support, get involved, or even walk, send us a message.🚶🏼

VVIDY - Voice of Voiceless Immigration Detainees Yorkshire, Sheffield Solidarity Sessions

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14/05/2026

This week, ASSIST clients, volunteers and staff are joining A Million Acts of Hope!

At a time when division and hostility are dominating public discourse, this week reminds us to hold on to hope, compassion and solidarity. 🤝🏼

Together, we are filling a giant orange heart with messages of hope, including: “Hope is stronger than hate.” 🧡

We’ve also added to the UK’s largest thank you card, both online and in our office, featuring personalised ASSIST greeting cards with blossom and spring-inspired designs created by clients and volunteers. Filled with orange hearts, these show that Sheffield stands with people seeking sanctuary. 🌷

We’re proud to join thousands across the country taking part in . You can also get involved via their website ✊🏽

12/05/2026

A Million Acts of Hope starts tomorrow (13th - 20th May)! 🧡

Across the UK, people are choosing hope over hate through everyday acts of kindness, solidarity and community. At a time when hostility and division can feel overwhelming, join hundreds of charities, communities and faith groups to help create a week of hope.

Watch this brilliant video, featuring some very famous individuals, and get inspired to take part and make your act of hope.