Alejandra & Camila – and Other True Stories of Refugees in Swansea
Book Launch by José Cifuentes

Date: Friday 17th April
Time: 7pm
Venue: Volcano Theatre, 27–29 High Street, Swansea SA1 1LG

On Friday 17th April 2026, an evening of storytelling, music, and community will take place at Volcano Theatre in Swansea, celebrating the launch of Alejandra & Camila – and Other True Stories of Refugees in Swansea by José Cifuentes.

The launch will feature readings from the book, alongside live music and poetry. Guests can also enjoy a buffet and bar.

Tickets

• Free entry for people seeking asylum (no booking required)
• £5 unwaged / £10 waged

Tickets are available online:
https://wegottickets.com/event/69519

All funds raised from the event will go towards supporting Swansea Asylum Seekers Support (SASS) and LGBT+ Refugees, helping to continue vital work with people seeking safety and belonging.

This report shares highlights from SASS activities between July and December 2025. It includes key figures from our Welcome to Play sessions, support work, volunteer engagement, and practical assistance provided to families during this period.

The Senedd Election is on Thursday 7th May 2026.

If you have:

• Refugee Status
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• EU Settled/Pre-settled status
• A Spouse or Partner VISA
• Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR)
• or are here on a Resettlement scheme…
  
  YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE!

Find out how your vote can help shape the future:

Wednesday 1st April
4.00pm – 5.30pm
at Y Storfa, 277-278 Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3EL

with Welsh Refugee Council and Swansea Council

Rowan Williams, who grew up in Swansea and served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 2003–2012, reflects on the humanity of refugees in a short piece for The Guardian:

…the truth is that the migrant, too, is an ordinary person. Anyone who has spent time with refugees – in Ukraine, in Syria, in Sudan, in Kent or Swansea – knows the conversations that are likely to happen. “I never thought I would find myself here.” “I only want to make sure my children are safe.” “I miss my garden.” “I don’t know how I can continue my education.” To speak as though these people are anything other than ordinary is to reinforce the violence they have already experienced, the struggle to see them humanly.

– Rowan Williams, The Guardian, 30th August 2025

Read the full article in The Guardian.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, volunteers from Swansea University Discovery created a beautiful collection of handmade bracelets and care packages for women at SASS.

The volunteers put together over 100 gift packages filled with generous donations such as beauty products and clothing. Each one included a handwritten note to offer a warm welcome to women arriving in Swansea!

Thank you so much to all the volunteers for your kindness and generosity 💜

SCoS & SASS welcome you to a Twmpath! 🕺

SCoS is collaborating with SASS to bring another Traditional Welsh Barn Dance to St James Church, as a fun evening and fundraiser for both charities. A Twmpath is similar to a Cèilidh, and includes traditional Welsh folk music and a caller who teaches and guides the dancers. It can be enjoyed by all, either as a spectator or dancer, the choice is yours!

Entry is £10 per person, which includes a free drink. Entry is free for asylum seekers (please pick up paper tickets at SASS drop-in!). All donations and funds raised will be split between SCoS and SASS.

7pm on Friday 20th March, after usual SASS drop-in at St James Church Centre

Paid tickets via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/twmpath-fundraiser-tickets-1984056199502?aff=oddtdtcreator

On Sunday 15th February, SASS community members enjoyed a Community Lunch at St James Parish, the home of our weekly Friday drop-ins. The event brought together members of the SASS community and the St James congregation for a lovely shared lunch.

Around 75 people attended, and the tables were full of dishes from many different countries. Lots of people contributed delicious food, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a chance to meet, chat, and spend time together beyond the usual Friday drop-in.

The lunch was made possible thanks to volunteers who helped with setting up, serving, and clearing away afterwards. We’re very grateful to everyone who cooked, helped out, and joined us on the day – events like this only happen because of the generosity and kindness of our community.

We even had suggestions that we should hold a community lunch once a month, which shows just how much it was enjoyed!

The UK government is asking for people’s views on proposed changes to the route to settlement for people seeking sanctuary. The consultation closes this Thursday 12th February 2026, so there is only a short time left to respond.

You can read the consultation and share your views here – click ‘respond online’:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/earned-settlement

A guidance document that explains the questions in more detail and offers support on how to respond is available here:
https://reunitefamiliesuk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Joint-Earned-Settlement-Consultation-guidance-collaboration-Final-version.pdf

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Last Friday at the SASS drop-in, we were joined by representatives from Asylum Matters, who gave a talk on these proposals and explained what is currently known, what is still unclear, and how people can take part in the consultation.

In November, the Home Secretary announced proposed changes to the routes to settlement (also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain) and, eventually, citizenship in the UK. One proposal is called “earned settlement”. This could mean that, for many, the usual route to settlement would increase from five years to ten years, with extra conditions linked to things like work and integration.

The government is running a consultation to collect views from individuals, organisations, and communities. Consultations are one way the government gathers feedback on how policies might work in practice and what impacts they could have.

Asylum Matters encouraged people, especially those with lived experience or who support people affected by these policies, to share their views before the deadline.

Share your views here:
https://ukhomeoffice.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yMmiaG7zqwPuM6

We’re delighted that “Heads Up!” Jazz Sextet are presenting an evening of 20th Century Jazz classics performed in a unique, improvisational style, and have chosen to raise funds for Swansea Asylum Seeker Support.

Head down to Volcano Theatre on Saturday 28th February from 7.30pm to listen to some live music and support SASS! 🎷🎹🎵

🎟️ Pay on the door, or advanced tickets are available on the Volcano Theatre website: https://volcanotheatre.wales/jazz_sanctuary/

We are incredibly proud of our valued volunteers, Phil and Maria, who received the High Sheriff’s Award this weekend, in recognition of dedicated and valuable service to the community!

Both have given hundreds of hours supporting people in our community, both during our drop-in sessions and beyond. Their work is often behind the scenes, but the kindness, care, and support they offer have a huge and lasting impact here at SASS.

“We’re a team, this award is for everybody”
– Phil & Maria

The High Sheriff’s award ceremony was a brilliant display of all the good work that is going on across the city. We are proud to see our volunteers celebrated alongside so many others making a real difference.

Congratulations to Phil, Maria, and all the volunteers at SASS. This recognition is truly well deserved!! 🎉