Kirst and I have been volunteering once a week for Asylum Seekers Support Initiative Short Term (ASSIST) . We have been spending an afternoon a week in the drop in centre for asylum seekers, giving advice on accessing State and Third Sector support. We only give support to people who can demonstrate their situation. We prioritise those who are old, unwell, infirm or pregnant. Other than this we will support people to the best of our abilities with decisions made by a panel appointed by the trustees of the organisation.
At present we support up to 80 people out of 1000 or more (estimated from government statistics) who are destitute in Sheffield. (Generally £20 per week per person). We haven't been able to take anybody on for a few months now due to the lack of funds so every week we are having to turn homeless assylum seekers away when six months ago we would havebeen able to help them. We chose to fundraise fr this charity because we feel that not only is it a fantastic cause which we both care a lot about, we feel that we know exactly where the moeny will be going, and who it will be helping.
Being a refused asylum seeker is one of the worst punishments on men. Everyday, we see doors shut which deny us access even to the most basic human needs. In an environment where everything appears to shift towards relentless firmness with no room for sympathy ASSIST really is a life saver. Their work targets solving real problems faced by asylum seekers: need for shelter, food, clothing, access to healthcare, advice and signposting, befriending, and above all listening and caring. It is not easy dealing with people for who the future has nothing -but ASSIST goes beyond and ask people to open their doors and take in asylum seekers. It is beyond words to describe such gestures and generosity. The worst feeling is knowing that you have nothing to offer in return; yet the relief is that nothing is expected of you in return. (Assist client, explaining why we should be nominated for the Guardian Charity awards, 2008)
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