A multicultural event to welcome asylum seekers into the East Kilbride community has been hailed a huge success.
The inclusive event organised by local community police officer, Thom Alexander, was the first of its kind in Scotland and welcomed up to 300 people.
Bringing folk together through food, a host of differing nationalities who now call East Kilbride home prepared a dish from their native country for locals to try.
Officers, alongside partner organisations and members of the community warmly welcomed the men who have been housed in the Bruce Hotel since the start of the year and offered information on the type of help and support available to them.
Constable Thom Alexander told Lanarkshire Live he hoped that by bringing people together and allowing them to share their stories, that any apprehension will be dispelled.
The new community officer for East Kilbride town centre, said: “I’ve been here for about two months and I quickly identified some apprehension between the local community and those being housed in the Bruce.
“There have been some baseless complaints that they were drinking in the street or begging. Our intelligence was that it wasn’t those based at the hotel.
“I wanted to nip this in the bud so that any apprehensions were dispelled and to bring everyone together to show that these guys are human beings, they’ve came here for safety and refuge - we’re all human, lets work together.”
Healthy & Active EK, Bikes for Refugees Scotland, Victim Support Scotland and various faith leaders were just some of those who were offering support, along with local gents hair salon Iconic, which gave out free haircuts.
PC Alexander added: “We want to make sure these guys are healthy living, have healthy minds and have the support they need. It’s about helping people and bringing the community together.
“We want to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community aren’t exposed to exploitation and human trafficking.
“I know that as Scots we are a diverse, welcoming and inclusive nation and this will showcase to everyone the sense of community spirit locally.
“I’m hoping this type of event can be seen as best practice throughout Scotland.”
The Bruce Hotel is being used to house 60 men who have crossed the English Channel by boat fleeing conflict and poverty from war-torn countries such as Syria, Somalia, Iran and Libya in search for a better life in the UK.
Escaping persecution was highlighted as the main reason for the men seeking a safe haven in Scotland, and, understandably, many found it difficult to share their personal experiences on the day.
The Home Office is now accommodating more than 250 asylum seekers in hotels across the country as part of “contingency arrangements” to handle a huge influx of immigrants descending on the French coast of Calais.
In partnership, housing provider Mears provides accommodation for those who are starting the asylum process.
Leeanne Archibald, IA hub manager at Mears, told us: “Our main priority is to make sure that they have a safe place to live and also to make sure their welfare needs are met so their asylum journey is as smooth as it possibly can be.
“Events like this take away any stigma, people can see what we’re doing and get to meet the men.
“We’ve not had any issues in East Kilbride - the community has been great and really helpful. On a whole, the support that we’ve received in South Lanarkshire has been really good.
“Our biggest challenge is to integrate someone into the community, so I think if we could do this kind of event everywhere we have a hotel it would absolutely be beneficial.”
Monica Allen of VASLan (Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire) added: “We’ve been trying to allow for more community integration, that’s why events like this are so important.
“The community of East Kilbride has been really good in providing resources and clothing for the asylum seekers.
“Some of them have been in the hotel since January. They’ve now settled themselves there and are looking to have more events like this and activities to take part in.
“They’re human beings who have had a horrible life and they’ve come here to seek asylum and refuge. We want them to feel safe and integrated.
“Some people might be a bit anxious so this allows for that anxiety to be taken away. Events like this will help to educate people.”
Iconic salon owner Tony Cairney told us he was eager to help out on the day. He added: “Making people feel and look good is our trade so when we get to do this on a grander scale with a little bit more understanding and appreciation we’re right in there.
“If we can give a bit back we’re 100 per cent in, it’s a little bit of our time and it makes a big difference.”
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