News & Updates

Last week, we celebrated Earth Day, a day that reminds us that the environment we live and work in plays a part in everyone’s well-being and future.

As a service supporting survivors of domestic abuse and trafficking, we know that rebuilding life is not just about safety and support; it is also about creating stable, healthy environments where people can begin again and move forward with confidence.

We are committed to environmental responsibility and are proud to be ISO 14001 certified, which underpins how we manage and improve our environmental performance alongside our core work supporting victims of domestic abuse and trafficking. This guides how we reduce waste, use resources responsibly, and make more sustainable choices in our day-to-day work.

Earth Day is a chance to reflect, reset, and recognise that positive change, whether for people or the planet, starts with everyday actions.

Together, we can continue building safer lives and a more sustainable world.

This year for International Women’s Day, we embraced the theme of “Give to Gain” a reminder that when we invest in women, share support, and create space for voices to be heard, everyone grows stronger.

Across our teams, staff and service users came together to take part in a range of uplifting activities designed to reflect this message in a meaningful and practical way. Each team created their own moment of connection, whether through creative workshops, shared discussions, or reflective activities that celebrated resilience, strength, and the power of community.

There was laughter, honesty, reflection, and encouragement throughout the day. Service users shared their experiences and aspirations, while staff reflected on the importance of empowerment, compassion, and collective support in recovery and rebuilding lives.

The energy across the service was bright, positive, and inspiring full of small moments that added up to something powerful: a shared sense of hope and forward movement.

International Women’s Day reminded us that giving time, support, and belief in others doesn’t take away it multiplies. It strengthens confidence, builds trust, and helps create the foundations for lasting change.

When we invest in women, we create strength, confidence and lasting change. Alia Ali

Ashiana was pleased to attend the 98th Charter Luncheon hosted by Soroptimist International Sheffield on Saturday, 14 March at Tapton Hall. The event brought together community leaders, partners, and advocates committed to supporting women and girls across Sheffield.

The luncheon marked an important milestone for the organisation and welcomed a wide range of guests from across the city’s civic and voluntary sectors. The formal proceedings were led by Mrs Daphne Cawthorne alongside Professor Keith Jackson, with speeches reflecting on community work, leadership, and the value of collective action.

Among the distinguished attendees was Safiyah Saeed, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, who delivered a speech highlighting the importance of community engagement and supporting local initiatives. Other speakers included Giselle Rodrigo, a former senior leader within the Cutlers’ Company, and Jackie Short, Honorary Member of Soroptimist International Sheffield. Their contributions reinforced a shared commitment to strengthening communities and supporting vulnerable individuals.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with members of the Soroptimist network and other local stakeholders. During discussions, Ashiana Sheffield shared an overview of its services and highlighted some of the challenges currently faced, particularly in relation to funding limitations and the impact this can have on maintaining open referral pathways and delivering services effectively. These conversations encouraged a positive exchange of ideas around collaboration and strengthening support for those in need.

Ashiana Sheffield and other invited guests were formally recognised during a toast by the President, reflecting the importance of partnership working across organisations.

Following the luncheon, an invitation was extended to attend a future Soroptimist meeting, providing a further opportunity to build relationships and explore potential collaboration.

Overall, the event was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of Ashiana’s work, strengthen connections with civic leaders and community organisations, and continue building meaningful partnerships across the local area.

Ashiana Sheffield welcomed Ajman Ali, Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services and Race Relations Lead, and Meredith Dixon-Teasdale, Strategic Director of Children’s Services at Sheffield City Council, to our head office for a strategic discussion on domestic abuse support provision.

The meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the critical need for specialist BAMER, trauma-informed outreach services, and to discuss the ongoing challenges facing the sector, particularly in relation to funding pressures. Conversations also focused on the importance of sustaining accessible, high-quality support for individuals at high risk.

In addition, the discussion explored opportunities for future funding and strengthened partnership working, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving outcomes for those affected by domestic abuse across Sheffield.

Left to right: Sabrina Swaby, Natalie O’Neil, Alia Ali, Yasmin Aslam, Meredith Dixon-Teasdale, Daljit Kaur, Ajman Ali.

To raise awareness of Modern Slavery with key workers and groups who continue to work in the community during lockdown restrictions, the South Yorkshire Modern Slavery Partnership has launched the ‘Curiosity Counts’ campaign (15 March 2021).

Modern Slavery is a hidden crime affecting adults and children across the UK, including here in South Yorkshire; it involves the exploitation of people often for the financial benefit of others, and has not stopped during lockdown. People may experience multiple forms of exploitation or abuse, but the most common forms include sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, labour exploitation and domestic servitude.

Exploiters may have changed their tactics during lockdown to reduce detection, moving their victims from one form of exploitation to another. There are also concerns that the current reduction in face-to-face service has created new challenges to identifying and supporting potential victims.

The Curiosity Counts campaign aims to increase the understanding of Modern Slavery with those working in and with the community in South Yorkshire so they can recognise the signs of exploitation and report their concerns.

Nicola Lambe, CEO of Ashiana, said: “We’ve all had to adapt to meet the challenges of lockdown. The reduction of face-to-face services means fewer opportunities to intervene in exploitative situations, so it is important that we are all curious about the signs of Modern Slavery when working with the community. We are pleased to join key partners to increase awareness and hope everyone understands why Curiosity Counts.”

Dr Alan Billings, Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire, said: “Unlike slavery in the past, modern slavery is ‘hidden in plain sight’. Spotting the signs of exploitation requires us all to be alert and aware of who may be trapped in a form of slavery. Reporting that could save someone from harm. It is vitally important that anyone working in communities, especially during the lockdown period, who has any concerns reports them and helps to protect these very vulnerable individuals.”

The South Yorkshire Modern Slavery Partnership is led by Ashiana and funded by the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Salvation Army is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashiana as a specialist partner to provide support to adult victims of modern slavery in England and Wales through the Government’s new Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC).

The new and extended contract goes live in Winter 2020/2021, following a period of transition from the current service. It enables The Salvation Army and Ashiana to build on relationships and expertise developed since 2011, when the church and charity was first appointed to manage the wide-ranging support services needed to help survivors of slavery as they begin to recover and move on with their lives.

The organisations are now working together to be ready to transfer and extend the support existing survivors already receive to all stages of their recovery from the point of rescue and as they journey towards independent living.

Major Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army (UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland), said: “We are pleased to welcome Ashiana, who has played a key role in helping us to support thousands of victims of modern slavery as they rebuild their lives bringing important expertise and a shared passion to change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. We are looking forward to working together in the coming months and years as we introduce new services to meet the increasing numbers of people being referred to us for help. Together we will ensure that services are delivered to the highest standards, with the needs and voices of survivors at the centre of all we do.”

Ashiana has worked with victims of trafficking since 2009, providing accommodation to women and their children as well as high-level outreach support to male and female victims of trafficking living in the wider community. They have been a sub-contractor to The Salvation Army services since 2011. Ashiana workers have an in-depth knowledge and experience of the issues facing this group, recognising the sensitivity and intensive support needed to work with individuals who have experienced significant amounts of trauma. Ashiana has also delivered support to clients outside the National Referral Mechanism and was involved in the STEP project, in partnership with the British Red Cross and Hestia, as well as being instrumental in setting up the South Yorkshire Modern Slavery Partnership and is lead partner driving this forward.

Ashiana Chief Executive, Nicola Lambe, said: “Ashiana are pleased to continue working alongside The Salvation Army to offer accommodation, services and support for survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery. We welcome an opportunity to further develop these services, enabling survivors to recover and achieve safe, stable futures.”

Ashiana is delighted to have won the Collaborative Award at the Thomson Reuters Foundation Stop Slavery Awards for our joint work on the STEP project with Hestia and the British Red Cross.

The STEP project piloted long-term, effective support for survivors of modern slavery pre- and post-NRM, and the published report offers a number of key recommendations to improve survivor support.

This is the recently launched evaluation and policy report of the STEP Project, a European-funded partnership between British Red Cross, Ashiana and Hestia. The report further evidences the need for support for survivors pre- and post-NRM and makes recommendations for an improved response based on the findings of the evaluation.

You can read the full Hope for the Future report and report summary on the original Ashiana site under their resources section.

Today is the International Day for Zero Tolerance to FGM.

Ashiana have been working with South Yorkshire Police to develop their FGM response. Our FGM support group helped to develop the poster that you should see on social media and up around South Yorkshire. The poster and the case study are attached.

Ashiana have been working in Sheffield and beyond since 1981, at the front line of the campaign against FGM as well as supporting the victims, survivors and community activists. We are an active member of the Sheffield FGM Task and Finish Group, working with schools, local authority heads, the NHS, the Police and community representatives, and we run a weekly support group for FGM survivors. If you would like to join our support group please get in touch.

We also have a comprehensive training package on the effects of FGM, the best practice when supporting victims, and the obligations of schools, hospitals and local authority workers if they suspect FGM has taken place or a child is in danger of FGM.

If you would like to know more about what we do, would like to enquire about training, or if you or someone you know needs support please call our helpline 0114 255 5740.

Together we can end FGM. It’s #MyIssueToo.

This week Ashiana will be speaking at: Obstetrics & Gynaecology Society at University of Sheffield; Sheffield Feminist Network; Students for Global Health Sheffield at University of Sheffield.

Would you like to help support women and their children fleeing violence, abuse and human trafficking in a practical way? Could you organise a collection at your school, workplace, church, mosque or temple? Why not help us provide a welcome pack for women arriving in our refuges and bring a little comfort to vulnerable women escaping desperate situations.

When women arrive at our refuges or are referred to us for outreach support, we give them a welcome pack of basic toiletries and nightwear. Being able to have this small something that is new and their own can make a frightening and unfamiliar experience that little bit more comforting. It also means that even if they arrive with only the clothes on their back they can shower and sleep in new, fresh pyjamas without having to worry about what to use or what to wear.

If you want to help, each pack contains:

• Pyjamas
• Dressing gown
• Slippers
• Head towel
• Body towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soap and flannel
• Notebook and pen
• Toilet roll
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Sanitary towels

If you want to organise a collection, or simply donate a pack yourself, please contact Katy Foster on k.foster@ashianasheffield.org or 0114 213 0512 and we will send you some information about our services and give you any support you need to make your collection a success.

Ashiana are hosting two multi-agency training sessions and an FGM learning event in partnership with ROSA UK in March. All three events are completely free and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Thursday 2 March we will be running a training session on Honour-Based Violence, and on Friday 3 March we will be running a session on Human Trafficking. Both sessions run from 1pm to 3.30pm and will be held at Knowle House, 4 Norfolk Park Road, Sheffield.

On Monday 27 March we will be hosting an FGM learning event in partnership with ROSA UK with speakers and training focusing on Communities Tackling FGM. The morning session runs from 10am–1pm and the afternoon from 2pm–4pm, held at St Mary’s Church Conference Centre, Sheffield.

For more information please email info@ashianasheffield.org.

Ashiana is hosting a month of action, awareness raising and debate. We will be standing with Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) women fleeing domestic and sexual abuse including forced marriage, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, gang violence and ‘honour’ based violence.

The month begins on 6 February the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM when we will be in the Town Hall Foyer, talking to people, raising awareness and offering henna hand art. It runs to 8 March, International Women’s Day, when we are one of Paul Blomfield MP’s chosen charities and will be represented at a screening of the film Belle at Sheffield University Students’ Union.

Throughout the month we will be running events of our own as well as joining with sister organisations to Stand Together against violence against women and girls in all its forms.

Everywhere we go we will be taking our #ISTAND pledge board, asking you to sign up to stand with women who are victims of violence and abuse. Come and take the stand with us.

We are also hosting an FGM learning and capacity-building event on 21 March, bringing together community groups, professionals and experts in the field to build the fight against FGM in our city and offer support to survivors.

Ashiana have been nominated for a Making a Difference award. The awards are hosted by Voluntary Action Sheffield, celebrating their 90th anniversary this year. They recognise the amazing work of the local voluntary and community sector.

We have been nominated for “Excellence in Campaigning” for our work around FGM and are up against Sheffield Citizens Advice on the shortlist.

The winners will be announced at Cutlers Hall on 24 November and the awards will be presented by Jessica Ennis-Hill.

We are pleased and proud to be shortlisted really lovely to have the hard work of our staff and volunteers recognised.

Women and girls are at the heart of more than 60 projects across England which will support them to regain control of their lives.

Funding is focused on not only providing help for women of all ages faced with extremely difficult situations such as violence and abuse, stalking and sexual exploitation, but also on mentoring and connecting young girls with role models.

In Sheffield, one grant of £750,000 over four years has been awarded to a new voluntary sector partnership. They plan to address the shortage of longer-term therapeutic services to enable women and girls to recover and move on with their lives after experiences of abuse. Their Recovery & Empowerment Partnership brings together four women’s organisations VIDA Sheffield, Ashiana, Haven House and YWHP Sexual Abuse Support Service, along with Chilypep, a young people’s participation project.

Maureen Storey, lead partner at VIDA, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate and see what works, to extend the reach of our therapeutic services to women and girls from different backgrounds, affected by any form of abuse. The focus of other services is often on short-term needs, and we struggle to fund the longer-term therapeutic support that makes such a difference to recovery, and building resilience to future harm. We can achieve so much more by working together, with clearer pathways between our services and from external agencies. Chilypep will be making sure that service users are involved from the outset in ‘co-producing’ the project with us, and having a voice to influence future services in Sheffield.”

The Big Lottery Fund is investing a total of £45.5 million in 63 projects. A further £3 million will be invested in evaluation and learning, supporting the projects as they develop and sharing learning so that other women and organisations can benefit in the future.

Geeta Gopalan, Big Lottery Fund England committee vice chair, said: “Strong evidence from women and girls’ organisations told us of the increased demand for support, so we’ve been working closely with them to identify ways that women of all ages can get the right help, information and a listening ear to take control of their lives. I am delighted that we can use money raised through National Lottery players to go back into the community and help young girls and women most in need.”

Women from across the city have united in their fight against female genital mutilation, a procedure which affects thousands of girls.

Female genital mutilation is a collective term for all procedures which include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for non-medical or therapeutic reasons.

It is impossible to say for sure how many women are affected by this practice in Sheffield, as there is no specific research into the exact numbers, but official statistics show that the city is a high-risk area.

Information released by the Government shows that at least one per cent of women under the age of 16 are at risk of FGM. Using 2011 census data, this means that more than 480 girls are vulnerable. According to the Women Community Knowledge Profile 2014 produced by Sheffield Council, the charity Forward estimates that around 2.14 per cent of births in 2004 were to women who have undergone FGM, which would mean around 130 babies at risk of having FGM themselves.

It is with these shocking statistics in mind that Fixers, a charity aimed at giving young people a voice and helping them talk out their personal experiences, has launched its campaign. They held an FGM awareness event after working with 20-year-old Najma, who now lives in Sheffield but was given the procedure in Somalia aged 11. Najma, who did not use her real identity to front the project, begged her mum to be given FGM as she saw it as a rite of passage. After moving to Sheffield she changed her mind and now wants to warn other girls about the horrors and danger of the procedure.

“If I was still in Somalia I wouldn’t even think of speaking up about these things because my life would be at risk. But now that I’m in a free country, where people can be open, I want to try to help girls who could lose their lives from FGM girls who don’t have a choice about whether or not they are cut.” Najma

A statement on the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board said: “It is acknowledged that some FGM-practising families do not see it as an act of abuse. However, female genital mutilation has severe significant physical and mental health consequences both in the short and long term, and must not be excused, accepted or condoned.”

The ‘Say No to FGM’ event was attended by around 20 women, all of whom praised Najma’s bravery and called for more to be done to prevent FGM happening on our doorstep. Linda McAvan, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, was among the attendees and noted that the practice is not specifically linked to any religion: it is linked to cultural traditions and happens across all religions and in all areas.

The event came at a time when Ashiana, a Sheffield-based charity at the forefront of developing education and supporting victims of FGM, is working hard to raise awareness across the city. As the specialist provider, Ashiana has developed close links with relevant agencies and sits on the Sheffield City Wide FGM Task and Finish Group, within which they are reviewing need, services and response to the issue.

The charity has recently received £3,000 funding from ROSA UK to help develop their services further, including the recruitment of community champions who will work alongside Ashiana to raise awareness in their communities.

Chief Executive Nicola Lambe said: “The aims are to work with women from established and newly arrived communities to raise awareness about the health, social and legal implications of FGM. We will deliver awareness raising and support sessions to women within the communities most affected, in safe women-only spaces. We would recruit a small group of women who could sign-post information and a leaflet, translated into appropriate languages, which can be widely distributed across Sheffield. Champions will be encouraged to strengthen the voice of communities speaking out against FGM and create space and opportunities to discuss this traditionally hidden practice.”

Combatting Violence through Empowerment.

From February 2016, Ashiana will deliver the Big Lottery funded ‘Combatting Violence through Empowerment’ project. The three-year project follows on from our previous ‘Empowerment through Advocacy’ project and is further enhanced based on learning and findings throughout.

This project will support women and girls from BAMER communities in Sheffield that have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence and homicide. The project will also support women who have experienced isolation, discrimination and oppression. It is delivered in three strands:

1. Information, support, advice and advocacy for women experiencing violence such as domestic and sexual abuse within a range of multiple perpetrator systems such as forced marriage, human trafficking, gang violence, ritual and ‘honour’-based violence. The project offers a personalised, responsive and holistic package of specialised support to women based on their gender and cultural needs in a safe, women-only environment.
2. Training, volunteering and mentoring. The project offers opportunities for personal and professional development and service user involvement through the delivery of a bespoke volunteering and mentoring programme, ‘Experts by Experience’.
3. Early intervention, awareness raising and partnership training. Ashiana will deliver training and awareness sessions for other third sector, private and public sector organisations across the region around the gender and culturally specific needs of women from BAMER communities.

Combatting Human Trafficking.

This three-year Big Lottery funded project will commence in Spring 2016 and aims to combat the incidence and impact of trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of migrant women in Yorkshire and the Humber. The project will improve detection, provide support services, and undertake action research to collect evidence to support policy change to significantly improve the quality of life and outcomes for trafficked women. It will also research the nature and scale of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of migrant women in the region and make recommendations for policy and service improvement, as well as enabling women and the organisations supporting them to have their voices heard to secure better services and protection.