“This centre changed my life. I never thought I could use a computer. Now I’ve applied for my first job online.”
At the heart of ISRAAC stands the IT & Community Resource Centre, a welcoming space where learning, technology, and cultural identity come together. It is a place for people of all ages to build confidence, gain new skills, and reconnect with their heritage.
Since opening, the centre has become a lifeline for digital access and lifelong learning. For many participants, it is their first step toward employment, education, or reconnecting with family abroad.
A place for learning and opportunity
The centre is open to everyone who wants to improve their digital skills, find work or training, or access educational programmes across Sheffield. We currently deliver:
- Basic IT skills sessions, covering essential computer use, email, online safety, and digital forms.
- ESOL courses, improving confidence, communication, and independence.
Learners include older adults discovering technology for the first time, young jobseekers building CVs, and parents supporting children’s online education. Small classes and one-to-one mentoring mean tutors can work towards each person’s goals.
These courses fill quickly. Contact the office to join the waiting list.
What’s on at Israac
Seasonal - Summer & Autumn
Diaspora Multi Media Hub (DMH) Filming School & Podcast Studio
Read more about Diaspora Multi Media Hub (DMH) Filming School & Podcast Studio
Every Sunday 7pm - 9pm
Girls Youth Club
Read more about Girls Youth Club
Every Sunday 5pm - 7pm
Women’s Somali Dancing
Read more about Women’s Somali DancingPreserving the Somali story in Britain
Beyond training and technology, the resource centre serves as a living archive, collecting and preserving the history of the Somali and Somaliland communities in Sheffield and across the North of England. For decades, ISRAAC has been described as “the unofficial Somali embassy of the North”.
From photographs and travel documents to oral histories and newspaper archives, we are building a record of Somali life in Britain, from early seafarers and factory workers to community leaders, artists, and activists.
Exhibitions and projects have included:
- Halimo Abdi Batel and the 1904 Somali Village in Bradford
- Somali seafarers and the British Merchant Navy
- Faith, family, and resilience: 100 years of Somali heritage in Britain
Reconnecting families
Due to conflict, migration, and displacement, many Somali families have lost contact with relatives. Through trusted networks, including the Red Cross, ISRAAC helps individuals trace and reconnect with loved ones, always maintaining confidentiality and dignity.
Advice, representation, and funerals
We provide general advice and community support, and we take part in research, policy consultation, and media representation so Somali voices are heard with respect and accuracy.
In times of bereavement, the ISRAAC Funeral Committee coordinates arrangements, assists with cultural and religious practices, and supports families. The committee has served the community for over 30 years.
Hire the centre
When programmes are not running, the IT and community resource centre is available for external organisations, especially during school holidays. Contact the office for availability and prices.