Took a car full of clothes, shoes, toys, books, a mirror, a bicycle, a coffee table, an electrical heater, a buggy, and a fan to Rochdale on 28.8.
Also had a meeting in Rochdale Asylum Seeker and Refugee Multi-agency, which was attended by the two local MPs and by Serco. Serco provides housing for the asylum seekers.
There are 937 asylum seekers in Rochdale but no records of how many refugees there are. Asylum seekers are awaiting a Home Office decision on their asylum claim while refugees have get permission to stay in the UK – although it is only for a time limited period.
Red Cross, Mind and others reported that there has been a sharp rise of asylum seekers who are destitute. Red Cross can offer them £10 per week.
Among the decisions taken at the meeting was to launch a regular newsletter.