KNUTSFORD residents have come together to support refugees living at a nearby hotel.
Around 50 asylum seekers have called the Casa Mere Hotel home for the past two years.
Living miles from the town, with no communal areas for eating and recreation, and many with only the clothes they arrived in, conditions were 'far from ideal'.
This led to the creation of Friends of Casa Mere, a group of volunteers who have been helping out in whatever way they can.
One of the founding members, 68-year-old Joe Godden, admits he feared the group may be met with hostility but fortunately this has not been the case.
“Some people have strong views about whether asylum seekers should be looked after in hotels, or even allowed to claim asylum in the UK,” he said.
“A group of us decided that whatever the rights and wrongs of the asylum system there was a need to provide support to these people.
“We have found it a privilege to get to know the residents of Casa Mere and have been humbled by the stories of torture, oppression, political, sexual and religious persecution.
“Because we were concerned that there may be hostility towards the residents, we trod carefully in terms of who we asked for help, but we have learnt that so many people and organisations are generous and supportive of what we are doing. It has been really heartwarming.”
Friends of Case Mere was founded by Joe and others like him who had offered their homes up to refugees from Ukraine.
They met one of the residents of Casa Mere who had begun attending Knutsford Methodist Church.
He was a lawyer who had been imprisoned and tortured for representing clients against the state before manging to escape to the UK.
“We felt that the asylum seekers at Casa Mere needed similar support to the Ukrainian refugees”, Joe added.
“We quickly learnt that the situation at Casa Mere was far from ideal.
“Firstly it is isolated, more than a three mile walk into Knutsford and if they did the walk there was nothing for them in Knutsford.
“Many had inadequate clothing and in cash terms they get £8 a week for all non-essentials, including toiletries, clothing, travel, any extra food etc.
“At Casa Mere there is no communal area, so food had to be eaten in their rooms. There is no recreational space at Casa Mere and no activities.”
Friends of Casa Mere has helped source clothing, shoes, and bicycles and have also set up English lessons and social events including football, picnics and musical evenings.
Residents have also been able to volunteer at the Children's Adventure Farm Trust, Tatton Park, and Chaigeley School.
Joe says the whole experience has not only been beneficial for the residents, but also those offering their support.
Joe said: “We have learnt a lot from meeting the residents.
“We know a lot more about their countries – from where they are on the map and their histories to their political, economic and social problems.
“We have also learnt a lot about personal struggles – having to flee a country at a moment’s notice, the challenges of escaping, being cut off from people that they have left behind and the mental health problems as a result of trauma.”
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