Asylum seekers talk of life in Derby after crossing the world
Local Democracy Reporter NIGEL SLATER went to the Derby Midland Hotel in the city centre to speak to asylum seekers who have been staying at the ‘closed’ venue in recent months. Here is what they told him.
THIS was probably going to be one of my toughest journalist assignments.
I’ve been fortunate over the years to meet and interview many people from different walks of life – politicians, business owners, entrepreneurs, Army personnel, war veterans and celebrities.
But how do you start a conversation with an asylum seeker?
Is it rude to ask “are you an asylum seeker”? What if they don’t understand my questions? How will they take to me approaching them as a reporter? Where will I have to position myself to get the best chance of speaking to them in a respectful way? Would all this be even possible?
All these permutations and doubts were in my mind as I made the drive up to the Derby Midland Hotel on the corner of Midland Road on a sunny but very cold afternoon.
There’s no doubt this was an important story to cover. The hotel was closed for large parts of last year and back in 2020 to allow asylum seekers a place to live temporarily before being fully resettled.
I had just found out that it looked as if the historic hotel – once visited by Queen Victoria – was set to be closed for almost all of 2022 as the venue is currently being used by the Government.
I had aimed to showcase the good work the hotel is doing which may not appear evident to readers. Unfortunately, questions to the owners – Best Western Hotels – have not been answered.
On arrival I saw a few people outside the main entrance either chatting on the phone or sitting down having a cigarette.
There were bikes locked on chains on the pathway leading to the main entrance, which clearly showed that people were living there.
There I met Hussain Hood, 38, from Afghanistan, who said he had arrived to the UK from Iran last year.
I showed him my press pass and simply asked if he was living in the hotel as a refugee.
“Yes, I’m living here – the Home Office have sent me here,” he said before showing me a code on his phone to seemingly prove his ID.
“I’ve been here for six months now. I came from Iran.”
There was clearly a language barrier between me and Hussain but he seemed to understand what I was saying. He appeared to suggest that life was very unsettled in Iran, which is why he moved. We then got talking about Derby.
“I like it in Derby, it’s a nice place,” he stated. “Everything here is all close together and I’ve been made to feel welcome. But the culture here is very different (to back home).
“Everyone here in the hotel is really friendly and I’m making friends.
“My two sisters are in Newcastle in a similar situation so it would be nice to be with them again.”
I asked him if that would be possible soon – he said: “I’m not sure. I hope so.”
Hussain then shouted to another person who then came over – possibly wondering who I was.
Hussain seemed to explain to him who I was and the young man told me his name before spelling it out to me so I could write it correctly.
His name is Shakor Hashim and he is 21 years old.
Shakor appeared to struggle speaking English more than Hussain did, so Hussain was acting as an interpreter for me.
He told me he had been at the hotel for two months and made good friends with Hussain during his stay.
“It all feels strange, I’m trying to get used to things,” he said.
I then asked him if he was happy being in Derby. Shakor pointed towards his waist area indicating that he was suffering pain.
It was hard not to feel sorry for him at this point. Shakor is 21 years old and is clearly living in an uncertain world not many of us can truthfully imagine. All this at a time when he has most of his whole life ahead of him.
But looking at the surroundings I felt he and Hussain couldn’t be in a safer place.
I came away thinking the good this hotel is doing for people in the most difficult of situations.
It would be nice to hear more about the difference the hotel is making to people’s lives. Hopefully the powers that be can shed more light on this in the future.
I hope to see Hussain and Shakor again in much better circumstances.
Well done to everyone at Derby Midland Hotel.
WE VISIT HOTEL TAKEN OVER BY GOVERNMENT TO HOUSE DESPERATE UK ARRIVALS
Everyone here in the hotel is really friendly and I’m making friends.
Hussain Hood