Last week I was invited to attend the Lord Mayor of Sheffield’s charity dinner, held in support of ISRAAC Somali Community Association.
It was one of those evenings that gives you a proper sense of what’s happening across the city – not just at a surface level, but in terms of the organisations, people and networks quietly doing important work behind the scenes.
ISRAAC is one of those organisations.
Founded in 1987, it is now based in the Grade II listed Vestry Hall building near Waitrose – a building that was purchased by members of the Somali community as a long-term asset for the city. It’s an impressive space, both in terms of scale and character, and one that combines heritage, community purpose and real potential as a venue and civic hub.
I’ve been working with the team recently around positioning, audiences and the future use of the building, drawing on my background in heritage and strategic communications. What’s immediately clear is that there is significant untapped potential – not just in terms of events and venue hire, but in how the building is understood and used more widely.
One of the most interesting aspects of the evening was hearing about ISRAAC’s shift away from grant dependency towards more sustainable, mixed income models. This is something many organisations are grappling with – particularly those operating from heritage buildings, where the costs of maintenance and upkeep are significant.
ISRAAC already has strong foundations in place. Its work with both universities, alongside the development of its innovation hub and wider community programmes, shows a clear ability to build partnerships and deliver impact. The challenge now is how that activity translates into a more sustainable long-term model.
A key focus on the night was the urgent need to secure the future of the building itself – particularly the £200,000 required to replace the roof. Without that investment, the long-term viability of the space is at risk. With it, there is a genuine opportunity to create a thriving, well-used civic and commercial space in one of Sheffield’s most visible locations.
If you know Sheffield, you’ll almost certainly have passed this building. The next step is ensuring more people understand what it is – and what it could become.
If you’re interested in supporting the roof appeal, more details can be found here:
https://gofund.me/a84892b66