New Beginnings Project at Voluntary Action Sheffield

I'm running the Sheffield half-marathon again this year, on Sunday 27 May - probably slower than ever..... but hope you'll sponsor me to raise money for this great refugee project. You know that the cause is close to my heart after my time at Refugee Council.

Thanks so much, in advance - Alistair

"The New Beginnings Project helps refugees and asylum seekers to become volunteers. The project is run by the Volunteer Centre, based at Voluntary Action Sheffield.

Volunteering is a brilliant way for refugees to integrate into British life. You can learn English by volunteering, you can learn about British culture. And you can give something back.

Many refugees gain their first UK work experience through volunteering. In the increasingly difficult job market, refugees are finding it harder to gain UK work experience and without that experience they cannot get a job. The work experience they have gained in their countries of origins is seldom recognised.

Over the last 7 years New Beginnings have worked with 1300 refugees and asylum seekers from over 75 nationalities. 650 have become volunteers, making a contribution to a very broad range of community groups and organisations across Sheffield. Now funding for the project has ended and New Beginnings are urgently seeking funds to keep this really important work going."