Community groups, churches, charities, foodbanks, trade unions, and various political parties have come together to show their support for asylum seekers in Llanelli. The group hosted a community meeting, which took place on Thursday evening at Glenalla Civic Hall in the town, following the news of the planned arrival of up to 300 people at the Stradey Park Hotel in Furnace.
On Wednesday Carmarthenshire County Council said it was extremely worried by the Home Office’s plan. They also expressed their concerns about the “cohesion of the local community” and whether services in the area could cope.
In response the Home Office said it was making “every effort to reduce hotel use” to house asylum seekers. The spokesman of the group which came together on Thursday is Steve Kelshaw.
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Mr Kelshaw, 62, agreed that the decision on the planned arrival was wrong but wanted to highlight what was at the heart of the issue, which was the “vulnerable human beings” who were often escaping from the most “appalling circumstances”, and the need to offer support to them.
“We all agree that this decision is wrong for the local community and for the asylum seekers themselves,” he said. “And we recognise the concerns many residents have about the Home Office proposal but we should not be scapegoating vulnerable asylum seekers in the debate about the suitability of the accommodation.”
He added: “What we wanted to do is two things. One was to map out the kind of support we could provide so that’s why we had church groups, foodbanks, and charities so that we had an initial network for if and when people do come. The second bit was to ask the community to keep open minds and hearts and not be drawn into the divisive language and politics that so often surrounds the debate on asylum seekers and refugees. It’s that kind of appeal.
“Oppose it by all means – have a range of opinions. And if the opposition is based around the impact on the community and things like people have made wedding plans, for example, we have ultimate sympathy with people.
“I know the village, I live here, and I know the town. It’s not the right thing to do for anybody but the fault should not be on vulnerable asylum seekers. It’s about still treating people with that compassion and if there is opposition it is based on more reasonable grounds.”
Plans have now begun to look at how the groups and wider community can offer support to asylum seekers including English classes, voluntary work, sports activities, support from foodbanks, and social opportunities. The group is also planning to put together facts about asylum seekers and refugees to provide local people with more accurate information, which Mr Kelshaw considers to be a very important aspect moving forward.
He said: “At the heart of the issue are vulnerable human beings often escaping the most appalling circumstances. We are especially concerned about outside groups often seek to exploit legitimate concerns of local people.
“Llanelli has welcomed people from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine in recent years and we can be proud of the response of the community. We are sure the local community will continue to show the kindness and compassion for which Llanelli and Wales are famous.”
He added: “We’ve set up Wales quite rightfully as a Nation of Sanctuary – we’ve got a tradition of being a welcoming and supportive community. It’s about basic human dignity, about offering up to people who are vulnerable, and about support, warmth, and friendship. We need to keep that tradition carrying on and not let division take over.”
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