Welcoming the Stranger
Sheffield Christian charity the Open Hands Project is playing its part in helping destitute asylum seekers find a safe place to live.
Fleeing war, persecution, or political repression is daunting to even think about. And when refugees and asylum seekers first arrive in the UK - many after a perilous journey - most are simply looking for a safe place to live, and a fresh start, so they can rebuild their lives.
A Sheffield Christian charity is helping destitute asylum seekers do just that, by offering basic, temporary accommodation, pastoral support, and signposting to services which can help their guests get back on their feet.
The Open Hands Project started in 2007 when a group of Christians at St Thomas Philadelphia witnessed the difficult circumstances destitute asylum seekers were struggling with. Many, if their claims were refused by the Home Office, lost their accommodation and basic financial support and were not allowed to work or provide for themselves.
Chair of the charity, Jonathan Bennett, says he and his church small group at the time felt compelled to do something to help, and be part of the answer to the problems destitute asylum seekers faced.
He told Arise: “As Christians we are driven by God’s love to reach out to the least, the last and the lost. Destitute asylum seekers definitely fall into that category. And we feel that whatever your political views may be, we have a responsibility to care for the needy.
“The Bible says in Deuteronomy that God calls the people of Israel to treat the stranger with open hands - i.e. with generosity. And that’s what we seek to do.”
The charity - which has many of its guests referred to it by secular organisation Assist - currently runs three houses. One in Meersbrook, another in Upperthorpe and a third in Walkley. Each house has three guests staying and is kitted out with furniture and appliances provided by supporters of the charity, who have kindly donated them. A house manager, who volunteers for Open Hands, calls in at the property once a week, or once a fortnight, to check in with the guests to ensure all is well and to offer a listening ear.
Building relationships with the house residents is also an important aspect of the charity’s work. On Monday nights - before Covid - the team used to host a meal at Jonathan and his wife Sarah’s home, where many guests had the opportunity to enjoy a good meal cooked by Sarah, socialise, and watch Monday night football on Sky. Some of the guests would play card games. Occasionally, the team would offer prayer for anyone who felt they would like it, while respecting the fact that many guests were from different cultural and religious backgrounds. These events have started up again albeit on a smaller scale.
All of the guests staying at Open Hands’ houses are failed asylum seekers, meaning they have been refused the right to remain in the UK, so they cannot work or claim benefits. They literally have nothing. Some parts of the media might say that at this point the asylum seekers should ‘go back where they came from’, however - as Jonathan describes - it’s often not as simple as that. For some of the asylum seekers, the UK has no formal relationship with their country - so this is impossible. Others have fled horrendous circumstances in their home nation, be that war, persecution, or political repression, and it would be dangerous for them to return.
“Effectively, once their claim has been refused, these people are then destitute,” explains Jonathan, “And they are living in limbo land - with nowhere to go.”
The charity has now helped over 100 destitute asylum seekers from 25 different countries.
When asked for a story about a guest who has rebuilt their life successfully after help from the Open Hands Project, Jonathan smiles. “One guy we helped, called Isaiah, was an amazing young man. He was very bright, had really good English. He volunteered for St John’s Ambulance. He used to work in a charity shop as well, so kept himself really busy; every day, he was doing something.
“He was brilliant for the St John’s Ambulance because when they needed someone at the Arena, or Bramall Lane, or Hillsborough, they knew he always had time and he was always willing to do it, so he used to see the best concerts, and he always had a wonderful array of shoes from the charity shop.
“He was such a great volunteer - he was on the Yorkshire committee of the St John’s Ambulance at one point, and when the Buckingham Palace garden party invitations went out, they gave him one of their places.
“So he was a failed asylum seeker, he wasn’t allowed to work, he was living in grim accommodation, and yet he managed to go to the Queen’s garden party.
“In the end, he did get leave to remain; he did a degree, and the last time I was in touch with him, he was teaching.”
How does Jonathan feel about such heartwarming success stories?
“Oh it’s fantastic. Finally, when someone moves on, because they have received permission to stay or have been granted Home Office supported accommodation - realising we have played a small part in transforming the quality of that person’s life, means a lot.”
How can Christians who feel moved to support the Open Hands Project in their mission to care for the least, the last and the lost, help?
“Well, first of all, in prayer,” says Jonathan. “Please pray for the guys we work with, but also for asylum seekers and refugees in Sheffield generally, both failed and those pending, and those just settling.
“Secondly, finance. As a charity we don’t get government grants or anything like that, so we’re entirely dependent on the generosity of, primarily, Christians. I should say that all our volunteers are Christians, but we’ve got some very generous non-Christians who do support us financially, and several churches who have helped us too. God’s been really good to us - we’ve never run out of money yet.
“Thirdly, churches can invite me to speak about the Open Hands Project to their congregations - I’d love the chance to share more about what we do.”
People interested in the work of the Open Hands Project - and those wishing to connect with the charity or make a financial donation - can visit their website: openhandsproject.org.uk
Phillip Dolby is a freelance journalist, editor and PR consultant based in Sheffield. His specialist subjects include: local and national news, politics, the arts, religion and international development. He loves the adventure of working in the media industry and wants to use his voice to speak up for the poor and disenfranchised. In his free time he loves reading, mountain biking, trail jogging, cooking and a round of golf.
Website: phillipdolby.com
Twitter: @PhillipDolby
