Charity Supports Government’s Asylum Seeker Housing Plan at Peterborough Hotel

A refugee support organization has voiced its approval regarding the government’s decision to accommodate asylum seekers at a hotel within the city. Approximately 150 asylum seekers are being relocated to the Dragonfly Hotel, situated in Thorpe Meadows, Peterborough. The previous week, Andrew Pakes and Sam Carling, both Labour Members of Parliament for Peterborough, characterized the decision as “inappropriate” and “disappointing.” Beckie MacLellan, representing HELP, stated her inability to comprehend “what the fuss is about” and asserted that the location was more appropriate compared to certain other city centre venues. HELP, an acronym for Helping Empower Lives in Peterborough, was established two and a half years prior. The organization also manages a mental health initiative designed to assist individuals who have experienced trauma. Ms. MacLellan indicated an expectation that her team would experience an increase in activity over the forthcoming months, as they provide support to individuals relocating to the Dragonfly Hotel. She stated, “There is a stereotype that [asylum seekers] are coming here for fun. It’s not true. Some of them have had terrible experiences and [have] gone through so much. It would be good to dispel these stereotypes.” She further added, “I don’t personally agree that the location is inappropriate. I don’t know what the fuss is about? It is a tranquil location which can help these traumatised people. “People don’t seem to mind other hotels that have been used for years, despite being in inconvenient locations and away from essential services like us – because they look rundown.”” The Peterborough Asylum and Refugee Community Association (PARCA), another charitable organization assisting with refugee integration, had its founder, Moez Nathu, express agreement with Dennis Jones, the Labour leader of Peterborough City Council. Mr. Jones had asserted that the area had accommodated “far more” asylum seekers than its proportional share, relative to other parts of England. Mr. Nathu commented that the government provided local authorities with “very short notice” prior to housing individuals. He explained, “The Home Office is looking for the cheapest available accommodations to house refugees.” He continued, “They are sent here to a new city and they know nothing about the place and language is a huge barrier.”Hotels [are] a good option on holiday, but not for such situations. They face trauma and isolation and should be supported aptly.”” He concluded, “I don’t want to comment on if the location is right or wrong because they are already here and we should try and make them feel welcomed and supported.” The hotel is situated adjacent to the city’s rowing lake and Nene Park, bordering the Boathouse pub. Nene Park Trust announced its intention to collaborate with Peterborough City Council “to ensure everyone feels welcome” throughout all its areas. Matthew Bradbury, chief executive of Nene Park Trust, stated: “We are an inclusive charity, here to serve all our residents, whether they’re newly arrived or long-term.” The Home Office informed the BBC that it had taken over an asylum system experiencing “unprecedented strain.” Approximately 97,000 individuals sought asylum in the UK during the twelve-month period concluding in June 2024. The Dragonfly Hotel, operated by the Surya group of hotels, was approached for a statement. For updates on Peterborough news, refer to BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This content is copyrighted by BBC 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding the BBC’s policy on external linking is available.