Asylum Seeker Support Initiative - Short-Term (Assist) is a Sheffield-based charity dedicated to helping destitute asylum seekers in the area. Coordinator Robert Spooner explains why the group was formed, and details some of their current work.
I work for Assist, Asylum Seeker Support
Initiative - Short-Term, because we didn't think it was going to be long-term,
but it obviously is now. Its been 5 years since the initial meeting which grew
out of a conversation club, and the discovery of injustices happening to people being refused by the Home Office when they
had very good reason for not going back home. This small group met, and within
about 3 months we had got enough money to start helping those who are entirely
destitute without money or anywhere to live and with reduced access to health
services. So since that time we've been telling people - I myself am a local
preacher in the Methodist church - as part of my preaching telling people what
was really happening and people responded by giving us money.
