Sharing solidarity, friendship and flatbreads in Leeds
We had the loveliest time at our distribution in Leeds this weekend, with so much going on! It was great to see the lads from the nearby hotel. Many of them have been there at least a year, and they’ve all recently endured racist abuse from far right groups. However, they do tell us that our friendly and consistent presence goes a long way to making them feel safe. This weekend we were giving out clothes – the t-shirts were very popular because it’s been so sunny in Yorkshire lately. But also the great thing about the brilliant space that …
Meet Pavel and Monir, our farmer-refugees
The Sutton Community Farm in south London is incredibly kind to the refugees we support, donating baskets of delicious fresh fruit and vegetables for us to distribute in hotels. This is great as there is often a shortage of wholesome fresh food provided. Sometimes refugees go down to the farm with Seema, our South West London volunteer, to help carry the baskets of goods. The farm volunteers are so friendly, and at the weekend one of them, Sonia, noticed that Pavel and Monir were interested in the work that was going on. She downed tools to give them a guided …
Government U Turn on Albanian Asylum Seekers
At the end of August Priti Patel, the former Home Secretary, announced new plans for Albanian asylum seekers who cross the English Channel to seek safety in the UK. She said that their asylum claims would be ‘fast tracked’ with the aim of immediate removal, and suggested that these asylum claims were ‘spurious ’. It was brutal, lacking in compassion and unfair. Worse, it was potentially illegal. Recent figures show that 53 per cent of asylum claims made by Albanians in the UK are accepted, meaning they most definitely are genuine, and in any case asylum claims must be …