Side by Side Women’s Group
Side by Side was set up in 2008, to bridge the gap between refugees, asylum seekers, and the local Sheffield people, with the aim to reduce loneliness and isolation. The group was created as a way for people to make friends, learn English and take part in interactive sessions.
The charity started out as a grassroots project then later became an incorporated charity in 2023, holding mixed groups at Sharrow Community Forum in Sheffield, before expanding to include a new women’s group. The first group was funded by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) in 2024, and then again in 2025 – supporting Side by Side to set up a second women’s group.
The women’s group meet at City of Sanctuary Sheffield and run morning sessions of 15 ladies and afternoon sessions of 18 ladies, with a lunchtime crossover that allows all the women to meet each other over a meal; creating a real sense of community and connection for those that attend.
Side By Side was awarded a £5,000 grant from SYCF’s Community Grants programme.
Our Community Grants provide support to community groups and organisations across South Yorkshire, especially smaller, developing or less well-resourced organisations and grass-roots groups, where small amounts of funding can make a real difference.
For the group, this meant that they were able to meet demand and create a second women’s group.
The group offers attendees inclusive sessions for mindfulness, meditation, English language learning, theatre, dance and movement. They have a listening and speaking circle, that allows the women to feel seen and heard and gives them an opportunity to improve their English.
Through this funding, the charity can pay for bus fare and food for the women’s group, enabling all the women who attend to come to the sessions for free.
Johanna Van Der Voort, Artistic Director and Facilitator at Side by Side, said:
The women’s group has been a huge success and it’s been amazing to have that trust in us to start something new, that can benefit so many.