'I came here as an asylum seeker and want to give something back'

Saeid Hashemi came to the UK from Iran as an asylum seeker. After being granted refugee status, he settled in Sheffield and now wants to give something back to his community. The BBC met him as he was helping elderly residents to improve their digital skills.

Saeid, 35, says he now wants to change perceptions about asylum seekers. He worked as an electrical engineer in his home country and has been taking classes to improve his English at the Learn for Life Enterprise on Abbeydale Road.

He gives his time for free to volunteer at the digital training sessions for Lodge Moor Tenants and Residents Association (TARA).

TARA member Doreen Treweek says he has been a "godsend" to her and her neighbours.

"We all love him, I love him. He helped me set up Zoom so I can speak to my grandson.

"I'm a bit of a dinosaur with all that but he'll do anything you need, he's a clever boy."

Saeid says their reciprocal relationship has helped him to settle into life in Sheffield.

"The ladies are my only family here. I do like helping people. I want to give something back.

"The women are like mothers. They bring food, they look after me. They try and help me with my language and revising for exams."

Barbara Bates has also benefitted from Saeid's expertise and says he has "helped change people's attitudes".

"Most people around here don't understand what a refugee is. When they hear the word refugee, I think something different comes into their head now because they meet Saeid and they learn.

"It's all about learning about other people's problems and what they've been through."

Gill Rhodes is the director and lead tutor at Learn for Life and says Saeid is an "exemplary student".

"We don't just teach English, we teach people so they can go into the wider community and integrate into society.

"Saeid is a remarkable person. He picked up English very quickly. He understands the importance of not just learning but actually using the skills to become a responsible person in the UK."

Saeid is now looking for a permanent job while continuing with his volunteering.

Doreen added: "He is already an upstanding member of society. He's more like my grandson now - he's like a member of my family.

"He teaches me a bit of Farsi and I teach him a bit of Yorkshire - he's more Yorkshire than me!"

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