Well, Yvette, maybe refugees are applying for family reunification as soon as they can because 1) they've spent ages waiting for status and miss their kids; 2) it takes ages for reunification applications to be approved; and 3) their kids are ineligible once they turn 18 www.gov.uk/government/s...

The Jura is gorgeous. Really shouldn’t pass through en route for Italy

Outrageous use of language! The @bbc ought to think harder. But also this could be the introduction of safe, legal routes which we’ve all been looking for. No-one wants smugglers or small boats. A proper application process (like for the Ukrainians) is what’s needed.

Last drop-in before the summer break saw the children playing, the craft table in full flow, and lots of goodies from @cityharvestnyc.bsky.social @vodafonegroup.bsky.social and others to distribute. See you all in September #refugeeswelcome

@refugeeweek.bsky.social continues in #Ealing with our communities joining together to make art speak for us… alongside #UWL students… bringing colour and joy

Z does such good work and is such a key volunteer at @easeealing.bsky.social . We only wish he could get refugee status this @refugeeweek.bsky.social and get in with his potentially very productive life.

Goldsmith Avenue annual street party today (going since 2012) Good time had by all, especially the children: singalong; dog show; cake competition; games and the famous odds v evens tug of war. Builds our community!

Lots of young children at our drop-in this week. Early half-term? Luckily we had plenty for them to do, including the famous, free haircuts. Z will be snipping more at @johnperrynps @RefugeeWeek celebration. #refugeeswelcome

Lovely to see people volunteering to prepare the best roast potatoes in west London. Whatever else our brilliant cooks serve, there’s ALWAYS roast potatoes (most asylum-seekers can’t access ovens, so a real treat) We need a LOT - enough for 100 or more each week. #refugeeswelcome

First off, if people are eligible for family reunification then they should be getting it anyway and not being swapped like Pokémon cards. That's before the inevitable outcome of this leading to more smuggling and trafficking as people sent to France try again. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

I got to talk too…

It’s arrived! Can’t wait to read this @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social

Our barber had such a busy day yesterday… several chaps (as usual), a couple of kids wanting sharp, razor cuts, and Ros: pillar of the church who leads our art, knitting and crocheting activities. She emerged looking very smart and tidy #refugeeswelcome

Particularly sorry to miss lunch yesterday - have withdrawal symptoms from the ace roast potatoes - and apparently there was a feta and tomato tart too. #refugeeswelcome

More new people arrived today. We see about 40 applications to attend a month. And of course others get status or get randomly moved away or find themselves with English classes all Thursday. And others we see regularly for a year or more.. #refugeeswelcome

Thanks to @miss-magpie-spy.bsky.social for the art and the @refugeesathome.bsky.social team for commissioning this to mark my retirement from the board. Isn’t it delightful? #refugeeswelcome

End of a 10-year era. Maybe we will host again after the grandchildren move out…

Love the picture @miss-magpie-spy.bsky.social Thank you so much!

Any #Acton residents interested in this hyper-local job bringing community cohesion to our patch?

Labour's decision to prevent people who have been granted asylum getting citizenship should be roundly condemned. It is a repugnant policy, cynically pushed through without scrutiny or debate, and liable be found unlawful the second they try and implement it. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...

Love this! A snazzy haircut may not be critical in life. But my goodness, it makes a difference to how people see themselves.

Over the moon to hear our last @RefugeesAtHome guest, J, has finally got refugee status after a long haul, detention at #BrookHouse for #Rwanda, bailed to us and a wait of over two years for an interview. Hope to see him at @EASEealing drop-in tomorrow.

Thanks @timhess.bsky.social for the regular support with this.

Our - wholly volunteer - kitchen team beavered away to provide a delicious lunch for, oh, about 100 people at this week’s drop-in. Menu: fish pie (thanks to @CityHarvest for fish) mushroom flan, rice, best roast potatoes in w London, yoghurt, salad. Plus yummy cake courtesy of The Felix Project

Wonderful production of #theproducers at #menierchocolatefactory. So funny and engaging. Do get tickets if you can - hope it transfers.

Feeling hugely nervous for my last asylum-seeker guest, J, who had his substantive interview yesterday. He’s Sudanese, was detained for deportation to #Rwanda (no rationale I could see) bailed to me… in UK 2.5 years. Family fled bombing to Chad. Interview lasted just one hour. Is that good news?

Sourcing the SIMs is one of my tasks (alongside finding other stuff, laptops, nappies & period products) and funding when I can get it (thanks @hiteshtailor.bsky.social & your mayoral year…) so happy to do this…

Ho hum! Clearly not an effective communication method at #TurnhamGreenStation

The bookswap at #ActonCentral is in very good order: a lovely station person tidies it every morning she’s on. Thank you. And do come and take/borrow a book: children’s/adults/fiction/non-fiction and many languages

First drop-in of the new year and a renewed appetite for the @vodafonegroup.bsky.social SIM cards after the break. Our guests crave connectivity and appreciate these no end (we could also refurbish and deploy any laptops donated and could do with dozens) #RefugeesWelcome

Poised with @vodafone SIMs too. I’m running the show tomorrow, so let’s hope it isn’t too chilly and runs smoothly…

My mum’s sheltered housing flat is for sale in Acton W3 - 2 bed, 2 bath (inc wetroom) overlooking Acton park: fab transport links, free parking, nice concierge. good value at £300k because only open to 60+ buyers Do DM as agents closed til early January. www.astonrowe.co.uk/property/334...

Today marks three years since the first women were detained at Derwentside detention centre. Three years of harm and cruelty. Derwentside should never have opened, and we won't stop until it is SHUT DOWN. 1/🧵

Poised for second night #hannukah candle lighting this evening with the full complement of latkes and doughnuts.

Pleased to see #joinin has made it over here. Such a clever and supportive idea. We hit 1)Xmas 2)first night Hannukah and 3) - most important though - granddaughters fourth birthday… all on the same day. So won’t be joining in (or sitting down/drawing breath for a bit) Those who are - Enjoy!

Sleeping in the carer’s room in my late mum’s sheltered housing flat because daughter and family have taken over my house. But not because it’s #duvetknowitschristmas but building works. Donated as first Xmas without mum…

Such fun at our #ChristmasParty today.. what with presents and a wrapping station and carols and Santa and lunch and crackers (and of course a seasonal barber!) A lovely event - many thanks to all who contributed.

Getting ready for tomorrow’s #ChristmasParty. What would we do without our volunteers, #FelixProject @cityharvestnyc.bsky.social #Goods4Good #BigYellow and local supporters? Looking forward to a great day…

UK unlawfully detained migrants on Indian Ocean island, judge rules www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

Current Awareness - 'Aspiring barristers from underrepresented groups supported by Bridging the Bar 2024 Outreach Programme' Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary www.judiciary.uk/aspiring-bar...

This is dreadful @candidaj.bsky.social @alfdubs.bsky.social I’m so sorry…

Early prep for #Hannukah and the latkes are sorted. Better freeze quickly though if I want them to survive.

Huge thanks to Nish of @Pearls Drycleaners who offered to provide our guests with duvets when they move on (some customers don’t pick theirs up and it sits in his shop for aeons) What better use than to pass it on to recent refugees starting their lives int he UK? We (& they) are jolly grateful

The #AngryBirds meeting #Cafetropea for a festive gathering. This time we’re angry about the cashless society and the state of the world (or maybe we’re just sad about that) @alisonrooper.bsky.social @phoebetaplin.bsky.social @jeanniemackie.bsky.social

A local carer made these for asylum-seeker babies and children - and did for a decade. Now she’s moved on so these are the last of them going out this morning #refugeeswelcome

It’s the big day when the new @care4calais.bsky.social #xmasjumper arrives. Suitable for almost everything I’m doing (except the odd tribunal) in the next fortnight. First outing at @easeealing.bsky.social tomorrow…

So are Syrian asylum-seekers going to kept in limbo by the Home Office for even longer? Or those applying for indefinite leave? Its far too soon to make this sort of decision. What about women in new regime? LGBT+? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...

German ambassador is absolutely right to emphasise that it is far too early to know whether it will indeed be possible for Syrians to return home yet. Austria’s talk of repatriations are pure irresponsible political theatre. Over the next weeks & months, Syrians will be watching in hope #r4today

It does seem unduly speedy. We (and the Home Office) have no idea how safe Syria is now. It’s likely to be in turmoil for some time. And then there’s the questions about the new regime. Are they Jihadists? What will happen to women/LGBT+ or minority faiths?

Hurrah! Will make a HUGE amount of difference to those of ours currently getting refugee status - especially as the e-visa debacle makes move-on almost impossible.