The Bora Shabaa refugee and asylum seeker charity in Hull has seen a 400 per cent increase in engagement following August’s violent disorder as people ‘banded together’ in the face of adversity.
Following the riots which took place in Hull, and across the country, in the summer, the Bora Shabaa charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers has told LDRS that it has had “more engagement than ever before”.
In the aftermath of the disorder, which has since seen dozens appear in court, the charity ran emergency Warm Spaces, where people could attend to light candles, express their thoughts and feelings, and be with others from minority communities in a safe space.
The Charity’s Project Coordinator, Lauren Beadle told LDRS: “We offered a wellness walk about a week after the riots took place in Dalby Forest and we had better engagement for that walk than we’ve ever had. An increase of over 400 per cent.”
She continued: “It surprised us, we thought the engagement would be less because of the riots, but actually people did band together and showed resilience which was lovely to see.”
In the days following the disorder, the charity released a statement which echoed the thoughts of many in the city. It read: “These actions do not reflect the city of Hull. Once known as the City of Culture, Hull prides itself on its wonderfully diverse community, known for its respect and kindness towards people from all walks of life.”
The charity continues to offer support for asylum seekers and refugees in Hull and operate an open door policy to all who may benefit from its services.
By Andrew Spence – LDRS
