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Asylum seekers feel safe in city
SHEFFIELD is a place where asylum seekers and refugees can feel safe and welcome - but more work is needed according to a new report.
The document, charting Sheffield's status as a City of Sanctuary, says asylum-seekers and refugees are fully included in community activities and groups.
It adds that support is given to communities to help them to integrate asylum-seekers and refugees.
Sheffield was the first in Britain to be dubbed a City of Sanctuary - a welcoming place for refugees and asylum seekers - a stance which has been followed by nine other cities.
The report, to be presented to Sheffield Council's cabinet on Wednesday, details support services available to help refugees access housing, healthcare and learning English.
It proposes spending 20,000 on events through the summer to build better relationships between asylum seekers and other residents.
Five volunteers should be sought to offer more support by May 2011, the report adds.
It also recommends better training of council staff to deal with refugees' needs, centrally co-ordinating refugee services, developing a scheme to allow hate crime to be reported to support workers rather than police and ensuring refugees are aware of health initiatives set up for them.
More law firms should be encouraged to join Sheffield Refugee Forum so asylum seekers find it easier to seek legal representation.
To improve refugees' access to housing, the report proposes creation of specialist loans so they can pay deposits on rented homes.
Coun Gail Smith, Sheffield Council cabinet member for adult service, said: "I'm proud that Sheffield has taken a lead amongst other cities on these issues, and look forward to seeing the work move forward and take effect."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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