WELCOMING ASYLUM SEEKERS

This story originally featured in the Sentinel (StokeOnTrentLive) in January 2023.

Campaigners and well-wishing Stokies have today been dishing out clothes, food and toys to asylum seekers housed in a city centre hotel. And those who turned out for the session opposite Hanley’s Best Western Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Hotel say they want to show families offered accommodation in the Potteries that they are welcome in the area.

Sunday afternoon’s rally was put together by North Staffordshire Campaign Against Racism & Fascism (NorSCARF) and Hanley-based charity Asha, which supports asylum seekers and refugees. Those currently housed in the Etruria Road hotel, formerly the Quality Hotel, were given hot drinks, snacks and items including clothes, food and toys for children.

Those who have fled their home were told they were welcome in the city as campaigners spoke out over ‘divisive narratives’ following the decision to house many families in the Potteries.

The venue is one of two, the other being the North Stafford Hotel in Stoke, being used by Home Office contractor Serco as interim accommodation for asylum seekers, despite opposition from local people, councillors and MPs.

Charity Asha holds regular sessions for the new arrivals and those already here, to provide food and drink, along with handing out donations. Service manager Godfrey Seminega Godfrey, originally from Rwanda, said: “We’re so pleased with the donations to support these families. They’ll come to our charity and this is a chance to offer help to those currently staying in the hotel. They’ll get some breakfast in the hotel in the morning but then they come to us as they need drinks and things like that. They’ve been over the moon at the support shown to them. It was lovely to see the children recognise some of our members of staff and come across and hug them. These people risked everything to get here and only around 40 per cent survive the journey. They’ve lost loved ones and have nothing. The people of Stoke-on-Trent are welcoming and generous. I know some are against it, but we see many people supporting us.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has called on other areas of the UK to match the city’s support for asylum seekers and objected to hotels being used to house them. Leaders had raised concerns over the impact on services and said there were ‘many other places that haven’t done a fraction of the work we have’.

Meanwhile MP Jonathan Gullis has said hundreds had penned a petition calling on Serco to ‘end its abuse of Stoke-on-Trent’ by housing asylum seekers and migrants in hotels in the city.

Mr Lyddon added: “I can understand people’s concerns, but the reasons there’s not enough school places or there’s pressure on the NHS are down to Government policy. We know that once asylum seekers are settled they’ll find work, with many doing the jobs not everyone wants to do.”

Jason Hill, one of NorSCARF’s secretaries, said: “People have a legal right to claim asylum in this country. I disagree with the narrative, the reaction of those who are in the hotel and have come over to see us is lovely to see.”

NorSCARF volunteer Chris, aged 33, added: “Many of these people have been through hell and today is about welcoming them here. There’s been a really divisive narrative put out. When we did this at North Stafford Hotel they were so grateful.”

As reported by StokeonTrentLive at the end of September, there were 803 asylum seekers in dispersed accommodation in Stoke-on-Trent, equating to 31 per 10,000 residents, the 19th highest ratio in the country. Those attending Sunday’s event are keen to make sure those who have been sent to the Potteries are given a warm welcome until their futures are decided.

Placards were hung up on the donation tables with messages including ‘Asylum seeker solidarity’, ‘No one is illegal’, ‘Welcome to Stoke’ and ‘All asylum seekers are welcome here’.

Among those turning out with donations were sisters Jill Salt and Liz Hanley. Liz is a foster carer and brought along some items for the children. The 39-year-old of Bradley, said:

“Seeing two of the children with a Peppa Pig backpack and a Paw Patrol one that my children loved was so nice to see. They have come over here with just the clothes on their back – so why shouldn’t we help them? “I have had kids come to me with nothing and so why should these children be treated differently? One of my children made up little sweet bags for them. Their reaction has been lovely.”

As the session wore on, more families headed across the road from the hotel, and were shown the donations and offered drinks and food. Jill, of Biddulph, who is a councillor with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, added: “I saw it was happening and wanted to come along with some donations. We are all just human and want to help.”

The Asha charity is continuing to appeal for donations including clothes, toys, and food such as tinned goods, rice, coffee, sugar, and long-life milk. Anyone who is able to donate can do so by visiting the charity’s base at Unit 7, Hanley Business Park, Cooper Street, Hanley ST1 4DW.

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Office: 01782 363122

Godfrey Seminega, Services Manager (works full-time): seminega@asha-uk.org

Jackie Gregory, Wellbeing Co-ordinator (works part-time Tuesday, Friday and occasional Saturdays): jackie@asha-uk.org

Lydia Mugoyikazi, Women’s Club Co-Ordinator and Caseworker (works part-time Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday): lydia@asha-uk.org

Helen Ranford, Finance and Administration (works Tuesday to Friday): helen.ranford@asha-uk.org

Facinet Keita, Digital Health/IT and Unaccompanied Young People Support Worker (works Monday to Thursday): keita@asha-uk.org

Tamba Musa, Asylum Guide, Social Inclusion and Men’sSupport Worker (works Tuesday to Saturday): tamba@asha-uk.org

Charity Reg. No. 11769634 (England & Wales) Company No. CE013097