Making Hull welcome for all
VITAL LIFELINE FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS
WE all struggled at the height of the Covid pandemic, but imagine arriving in a new country, having left family behind, with no possessions.
This is the challenge faced by refugees and asylum seekers arriving at the Britannia Royal Hotel and other temporary accommodation across the city in the past 18 months.
But, incredibly, people in the city rallied round to establish Welcome House at the height of the pandemic.
Welcome House in Wright Street provided much-needed face-to-face advice and practical support.
Over time, classes and activities have been added, including English classes and even an Albanian women’s group. There are also fun activities such as Bollywood dancing and glass painting.
Welcome House is run almost entirely by volunteers with general manager Bashir Siraj the only paid staff member.
“We are trying our level best to provide support to people from different cultures,” he said.
“We are not here just to provide handouts and we do not want them to rely on us long-term. The aim is to integrate these people into society so they can become valuable members of the community.”
There is a large space inside Welcome House and a much-needed area run by Hull Help for Refugees which provides clothing and other items users desperately need.
The atmosphere is very warm and relaxed with people from different cultures and backgrounds mixing.
Welcome House is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday, from 10am to 3pm, but appointments can be made on other days and times.
The facility ties in with Hull’s status as a City of Sanctuary, which welcomes people in need of safety.
Bashir is an asylum seeker himself, having arrived in Hull in 2006 from Pakistan.
“I remember having to leave everything behind and come here with just my suitcase. I have been through that horrible experience.
“Through our work here we want to send a positive message and reduce any tension and racism.”
Former Hull City Council deputy chief executive Trish Dalby is acting chair of Welcome House and is passionate about the work they do.
“We are helping refugees and asylum seekers rebuild their lives after devastating experiences,” she said. “Our aim is to build up their confidence so they can become independent.
“We deal with people who have come from very traumatic circumstances arriving from war torn countries so to find a place like this is a relief for them and they can talk to others in a similar situation.”
One of the volunteers is Dr Dominic Raphael, who is a qualified surgeon.
“I do all sorts, from manning the reception to providing medical services.
“I have also studied psychiatry and general medicine, so we run a wellness clinic to provide both medical and mental health support.
“We deal with single mums who are homeless and people facing a lot of hardship.
“It is very rewarding when you see the impact of the help you provide.
PC Danny Fleming is the community cohesion officer for Humberside Police and has seen first-hand the value of Welcome House.
“In some countries, there is deep mistrust of the police and I speak to them to let them know they can come to us for help and that we are approachable.”
Anyone who can help provide financial help or services can go to welcomehousehull.org.uk or www. facebook.com/welcomehousehull
Next week, Hull Live will be running articles each day on the individual stories of refugees and asylum seekers who have come to Hull for sanctuary.