REFUGEES DIG DOWN FOR CALM

ASYLUM seekers have been finding peace of mind on a community allotment. 

Transition Allotment in Loughborough, one of the Transition Towns’ movement invited immigrants currently staying at the Cedars Hotel to work on their community plot. 

Loughborough Town of Sanctuary coordinator Leigh Adams said the improvement in the mental health of the refugees was visible. 

“You can see on their faces spending time working with people on the allotment has lightened their mood,” said Ms Adams. 

The volunteers help with various jobs including woodwork, digging and mulching and have become valued members of the team. 

The stories of their individual journeys are varied starting in places facing internal conflict such as Libya and Sudan, currently involved in a bloody civil war. Gardening gives them time in green space away from the restrictions of their accommodation as well as the opportunity to improve their language skills. 

Transition allotment coordinator Martha Worsching said they come from diverse places and experiences.

“Many have witnessed terrible events and can suffer traumatic stress but at the allotment they have peace and quiet and a chance to unwind,” said Ms Worsching. 

Loughborough Town of Sanctuary welcomes immigrants reporting to the East Midlands Home Office Immigration Centre in the town. The volunteers help the arrivals with information on services, a voucher for food and drink, warm scarves and gloves in winter and toys for children. It has connections with the British Red Cross as well as Leicester City of Sanctuary and Nottingham Refugee Forum. 

A spokesperson said: “We are also actively involved in providing support for asylum-seekers living in Loughborough in collaboration with other local volunteer and church groups, including providing support with clothing provision, English language support and help on some of the daily practical problems which they face. “