ASSIST Voucher Scheme

Do you shop at supermarkets and feel bad about it? Here's the perfect way to salve your conscience without giving up the weekly shop. Refused Asylum Seekers are given vouchers instead of money to live on which means that they have no choice where to shop. It also means that they cannot buy bus tickets to get to the shop, or medication, or anything. And they don't get change.
ASSIST are buying vouchers from asylum seekers and selling them to willing shoppers. Give it a try.
Contact the ASSIST office, 275 4960 or email Richard or Sarah,
Richard.chessum@talktalk.net, slwilliamson49@hotmail.com
(Netheredge, Sharrow, Heeley in particular)

Gateway Refugees Community Forum 1st AGM

Saturday 30th August, 11: am, Sadacca Community Centre 48 Wicker, Sheffield, S3 8JB
The Gateway Refugee Community Forum is just one year old in September. We need support and more community links in Y&H.
All welcome, Refreshment will be available.
Please contact: Akoi Bazzie or Email: gatecommunity@yahoo.co.uk

Do you need volunteers for Admin, I.T. or Practical Projects?

The Volunteer Centre Refugee project is desperately seeking
organisations that can offer highly motivated, highly skilled refugees with good English office based opportunities to volunteer and build up their skills for employment here in the UK.

They also see people who want to volunteer to improve their English. others looking for practical opportunities e.g. painters, carpenters, plumbers,
mechanics, builders, and all sorts of amazing people with amazing skills.
The New Beginnings project has been placing refugees in voluntary positions for over 4 years.
If you think refugees could help your organisation please contact:
Paul Harvey, p.harvey@vas.org.uk, Tel: 0114 253 6650. Monday-Thursday.

Northern Refugee Centre Vacancies

Northern Refugee Centre is seeking a dedicated individual to develop the role of existing and new refugee community fora and to develop effective regional networks to support frontline refugee organisation in Yorkshire and the Humber.
There are four posts: Regional, Humberside, Bradford and Kirklees- Part time 18.5 hours per week, £28000 pro rata (RCO1-4)

The new Refuge Integration and Employment Service (RIES) aimed at helping those newly granted refugee status become better integrated members of British society will start in Yorkshire and the Humber in October 2008, delivered by a partnership including NRC.

Case Manager - RIES Advice and Support Services Barnsley/Rotherham 37 hours per week £21358 (RIES 1)

Volunteer Co-ordinator - RIES Advice and Support Services - South Yorkshire 37 hours per week £22054 (RIES 2)

Administration Worker - RIES Advice and Support Service - Barnsley/Rotherham Part time 18.5 hours per week. £18314 (RIES 3)

To apply for these posts or get further information, please visit NRC's website www.nrcentre.org.uk. Closing date noon 21st August for all positions. Refugees are strongly encouraged to apply

REACT Meet and Greet Open Evening

Tuesday 26th August, 5.30-7.30pm, Scotia Works, Leadmill Road, S1 4SE. Food provided, children welcome.
If you're fed up with the rubbish that gets talked about asylum seekers and refugees and interested in helping get the facts straight, why not come to REACT's free meet and greet evening for potential refugee awareness trainers? This will give you a chance to find out more about the project, meet volunteers and decide if you would like to volunteer yourself.
The next REACT volunteer training will be on 11th, 12th and 19th of September.Both refugees and non-refugees are welcome to take part!

For more information contact Helen Todd, Helen.Todd@nrcentre.org.uk (0114) 2412783, Thursdays and Fridays.

reACT THEATRE PARTICIPATORY ARTS PROJECT
Do you have a story to tell? A voice to be heard? Do you think differences should be celebrated?
reACT's next project will be to devise and tour a multi art form performance
aimed at celebrating cultural diversity and exploring cultural identity, intercultural understanding and positive integration between people of all ethnic origins.
Please contact Shuna or Johanna on 0114 2496318 or 07908 782 712 or email shuna@squarecirclearts.co.uk for more information.

and finally... a date for your diary:

Tribe of Gladys Community African Dance Party!

Friday 10th October, 7.30pm until late, Ethio Cubano Restaurant, Arundel Gate, (opposite TJ Hughes off Castle Square Tram Stop)

An evening of eating, dancing & sharing for everyone, at the warm and friendly Ethio Cubano Restaurant

Ticket price includes an authentic Ethiopian meal (meat/vegetarian), a chance to see and learn community African dance and a donation to ASSIST.

Email: tribeofgladys@live.co.uk. Tickets £12 - Purchase from Airy Fairy, London Road (0114 249 2090) or Tuesdays after class (8pm) from the restaurant after 02/09/08 or turn up on the night
£3.50 from ticket donated to Assist who support destitute Asylum seekers in Sheffield www.assistsheffield.org.uk