February 2025 Bulletin

“Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are wanted here.”

This is a rallying cry at protests and demonstrations advocating for the rights and acceptance of refugees.

What better way to round off the week than a good lunch? Around 110 men, women and families enjoy good food and good fellowship every week.

If you want to know more about Asha and its services, this is a good time to call. You may find that staff are pretty busy – but you can always pick the brains of one of the asylum or local volunteers.

You’ll be welcomed.

“The quality [of the food] was not good. Mostly, it consisted of fast food with a lot of fat.

One major issue was that the same food was reheated multiple times. For example, if a dish wasn’t finished at one meal, it would be served the next day in a different form. If it was lentils, they wouldn’t be served as lentils, they might be mixed into potatoes the next day, which caused an unpleasant smell. If it still wasn’t finished, it would be fried in some way the following day. It was obvious that the same food was being reused over and over.

The food was also heavily spiced – sometimes extremely spicy, making it inedible for children. My child, in fact, had an allergic reaction to the spices and she experienced itching.

Sometimes, when a meat dish was served, we were happy that it wasn’t just fast food or something from a can. But then we would find that the meat was undercooked, and the rice was still raw.

Usually, they would serve salad, but the lettuce was dirty.

The worst part was the chicken wings. They were often served with feathers still on them and traces of blood! It was clear they hadn’t been cleaned or cooked properly.

In terms of fresh fruits, the only fruit provided was apples, and those were often rotten.”

Written by a lady who used to live in the hotel.

On 7 February, Mr. Justice Ritchie said:

“In my judgment, the recorder was correct. [Almas] could not claim benefits and was restricted to the limited sums paid to asylum seekers.

Her ability to work and earn was abolished. Her ability to socialise, buy food, eat out, build a religious or social life and all other aspects of her life were grossly restricted.

She was prevented from travelling. She could not build her status in society or her self-respect.”

These trenchant words should echo loud and clear down the corridors of the Home Office.

Afghans who have fled the Taliban for Britain who have their claims refused are not deported, as the Home Office concedes that Afghanistan cannot be deemed ‘a safe country’. However, they are not allowed to work.

Like Almas, they are left in limbo. Unable to move on with their lives and at risk of destitution.

“Yet only one in three children read books… Children aren’t being introduced to the magic of reading, and all the wonderful things it opens up in their lives.”

Alan Armstrong, TV and radio presenter.

SAVANTA, a data, market and research company, reports that 28% of children who started Reception in 2024 “incorrectly use books”.

Obtaining books is often not a priority for parents finding their way in a new community. This is why Asha plans to give every family a book to take home.

So, please pass on your books.

Thank you.

Having only started in October, I am a relatively new volunteer. I decided to join Asha for a number of reasons – the primary one being that I feel strongly that we should welcome asylum seekers and refugees. I wanted to be a part of an organisation that makes their arrival and time in Stoke as comfortable and supportive as possible.

I have always worked with people, be it in homelessness, drug addiction or midwifery and I get a strong sense of wellbeing from connecting and working with others.

My duties as a volunteer vary. So far, I have enjoyed helping out on the food bank, sorting out the donation room, serving teas and coffees and registering people when they first come into the building.

It all felt quite daunting and overwhelming at first, but I now feel like I am getting to know people and recognise faces and names. I am hoping to start helping people with casework in the next couple of weeks. Helping them complete forms and school applications etc.

Having recently retired from my job as a midwife, this is the first time since my teens that I have been in a volunteer role.

I find the Asha team welcoming and supportive. Darcy, the volunteer co-ordinator, was particularly supportive when I first started, checking in with me regularly to see how I was getting on.

She checks availability on a weekly basis and I never feel any pressure to come in if I have other commitments. In short, although I am really still only a ‘newbie’ at Asha, I already find it interesting, fulfilling, occasionally challenging and fun.

Madeline

One Stoke-on-Trent is a campaign aimed at bringing together leaders and communities to – as Council leader Jane Ashworth says – “make clear that everybody in Stoke has a right to feel and be safe, and that prejudice and discrimination are not welcome here.”

Asha’s Manager is making sure that the experience and needs of asylum seekers and refugees are heard. And, as the City gears up to celebrating its centenary, Asha will play its part.

Asha’s CEO, Godfrey, and three other members of staff were invited by Jane Ashworth, Stoke’s Council Leader, to attend a West Midlands Labour Party Gala in Coventry.

They were pleased to accept and enjoy an opportunity to meet local leaders and discuss matters that concern local asylum seekers and refugees.

Asha is seldom short of clothing – but what we need most at present are coat hangers. Another free-standing clothes rail would also be hugely beneficial.

If you can help with either, please get in touch.

Ophthalmic Clarity is offering eye tests to our service users.

A classroom in Unit 5 recently served as a consulting room. A range of frames meant that everyone could choose what they liked and what suited them best.

Nineteen people had their eyes tested and are now proud owners of prescription glasses. Some service users even received two pairs of glasses if it was felt that they were needed.

The organisation has since tested another 19 users, who are looking forward to receiving their glasses.

They even pay travel expenses for each service user who has an eye test.

This kind gesture – and, of course, the free glasses – is warmly appreciated by users and by Asha.

Thank you, Ophthalmic Clarity.

Stoke-on-Trent can boast a dedicated Asylum Seekers and Refugees Health Team. The service assesses and supports new arrivals to register with a GP and obtain an appointment for Health Screening.

Sarah, the Specialist Mental Health Nurse who has led the team since 2002 comments:

“Since I started I have met many people who have left a lasting impression. Their resourcefulness and resilience in the light of past experiences is something I always notice. We learn through their narratives and experiences what help they may need and we can refer and sign post of other agencies and to voluntary bodies.

We work in close partnership with Asha, a vital service, who refer people to us. Likewise we signpost/refer people to Asha especially those who need support. We also informally attend Asha, which gives people an opportunity to talk to us about their health or how they may be feeling. Depending on this we can signpost or refer to the most appropriate service for them.”

Asha is accustomed to visits from nurses promoting breast screening – but men’s health has not received similar attention.

This was rectified recently with an NHS Men’s Health Awareness event. This included an overview of bowel and lung screening, prostate cancer, diabetes awareness, sexual health and general healthy eating and exercise awareness.

We hope this can become a regular event.

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Just tap the button below and complete our simple form.

We aim to increase our mailing list by half during the coming year.

THANK YOU.

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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