There are lots of exciting things happening over the next few weeks, including food, arts, films and more food. Please take a minute to have a look at some of them and see if you would like to be involved. Do forward this newsletter to anyone who would like to know about events and activities involving people seeking sanctuary in Sheffield, or see our website: www.cityofsanctuary.org/sheffield

International Feast

Thursday 6th November, 4th December and then first Thursday of every month - 7pm at the Welcome Centre, Nottingham Street, Pitsmoor.
[Buses 47, 48, 75, 76, 88]

A regular evening of bring and share food, conversation and friendship. Single people, families and children are all welcome. People seeking sanctuary are especially welcome.

Involving Refugee Volunteers training course

Wednesday 5th November, 9:30 - 4pm, The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW
This course will help you to:
• Understand myths and facts about refugees and asylum seekers
• Know the legal issues around refugees and asylum seekers volunteering e.g. CRB checks, expenses, benefits etc
• Ensure that your recruitment, induction and support procedures are welcoming and inclusive
• Develop an action plan for your organisation.
This course is suitable for anyone who would like to know how to better involve refugees and asylum-seekers in their organisation.

Contact: p.harvey@vas.org.uk

Transition Sheffield Film Festival

11th September - 17th November 2008
A festival of films and discussion exploring positive community-based responses to climate change and the end of cheap oil.

Transition Initiatives throughout the country are bringing whole communities together to explore constructive responses to climate change and rising energy costs. The ‘Transition' approach relies on building community, rebuilding local economies, sharing skills and resources and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The Transition Sheffield Film Festival aims to inspire the creation of several Transition groups across the city, with a series of film and discussion evenings in Meersbrook, Nether Edge and Burngreave.
You can find out more about the Transition movement at www.transitiontowns.org or see the full film programme at www.transitionsheffield.org.uk

Thursday 11th September-Meersbrook Park Pavilion, 7pm
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

Tuesday 16th September-St Peter's Community Centre, Nether Edge, 7pm
Six Degrees Could Change the World

Wednesday 1st October-Meersbrook Park Pavilion, 7pm
What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire

Monday 6th October-St Peters Community Centre, Nether Edge, 7pm
End of Suburbia

Tuesday 14th October -Burngreave Vestry Hall, 7pm
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

Weds 29th October -Burngreave Vestry Hall, 7pm
A night of film shorts: Carbon Weevil; The Story of Stuff; I Am Only a Child

Monday 3rd November-Meersbrook Park Pavilion, 7pm
Designing Pathways from Oil Dependency to Local Resilience

Monday 10th November-St Peters Community Centre, Nether Edge, 7pm
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

Monday 17th November-Burngreave Vestry Hall, 7pm
Designing Pathways from Oil Dependency to Local Resilience

Journeys to the City

Sheffield Theatres would like to hear your stories for an exciting new project called ‘Journeys to the City'. The project will gather stories from groups and individuals about their journeys to the city and use them as a basis for performing arts, creative writing and visual art. The stories will be developed into an original Theatre in Schools production in March 2009.

If you would like to share the story of your journey to Sheffield, then please contact Louise Scott on 0114 2495999 or email Louise at:
L.Scott@sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Abundance

Abundance is a project to harvest the seasonal glut of local fruit like apples, pear and plums. Each year hundreds of fruit trees go unpicked either because people don't notice them, may not be physically able to harvest them or there are just too many fruits at one time.

Volunteers have the pleasure of eating fresh, ripe fruit from the tree,
finding out more about urban food growing and working alongside
enthusiastic people of all ages. Volunteers need to have some free time
between August and the end of October.

If you are interested in becoming an urban harvester or to receive fresh fruit for your group or neighbourhood. Email: abundance@growsheffield.com.

Job Vacancy - Volunteer Co-ordinator New Beginnings Refugee & Asylum Seeker Project

The New Beginnings Project promotes the integration of refugees and asylum seekers in Sheffield through voluntary activity.
Salary: £ 21,412 - £22,845 pro rata
21 hours per week (with the possibility of additional hours)
Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2011 Funded by Big Lottery Fund
Applications must be received by 22/09/2008
Contact: p.harvey@vas.org.uk