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

Wonderful @RefugeeWeek fun at @johnperrynps yesterday. And they were so pleased to see Z, our lovely volunteer barber, offering free haircuts to young (mostly) and old. #refugeeswelcome

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

Should there be a Padel Court in lovely Acton Park? The proposal is to replace the garden by @PuttinthePark but local residents think that’s a bit obtrusive and it should be on the periphery (or in Springfield Gardens) Please comment here: www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201042/...

Good to be part of the launch of #Ealing becoming a Borough of Sanctuary. So proud of one of our asylum-seekers, who spoke no English when she arrived, learnt only with us for a year, making a speech in English to a full hall including Ealing’s mayor & @blerinahashani.bsky.social #RefugeesWelcome

Our K usually volunteers as a barber. And much appreciated too. But yesterday he applied his cutting and chopping talents to making the prettiest salads we’ve seen in some time. So appetizing. (And yes, those fasting could take some home to eat later) #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

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

These @limebike.bsky.social are really @limebikelitter.bsky.social when they nearly completely block our local shopping street. Is this OK?

Stashing away the #Goods4Goods goodies at #bigyellow as can’t manage a distribution before next term. Just as well we have some storage (7 sewing machines should be moving out soon) #refugeeswelcome

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

Do sign the petition to save this iconic cinema. Best thing about Leicester Square (not that hard!)

Reported to have been at KFC in the Oaks. Glad the two boys don’t seem to have suffered serious injury. Said to have been a group from a local school…

Spring is looming in #ActonPark with the first snowdrops and something yellow but anonymous.. (any ideas what this is?) Anyhow, very cheering.

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

Lots of local people gearing up to support those who really need it…

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...

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…

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

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…

Neighbours dont have many details so specualtion (like road closires) rife…https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c791dnjglq5o

Should take some pressure off councils too, shouldn’t it? Hope it doesn’t just delay action.

All prepared for the school fair today. Haven’t decorated a fairy cake for a while. Is a cupcake just one with excessive icing?

Last collection of term of supplies from @bigyellowss. We get through quite a lot of nappies and period products - mostly supplied by @bloodygood__ and @GOODSFORGOODuk - as £49 a week not enough for real dignity. We close after our #christmasparty next week. Back in January….

Our very first post in what we hope will be an environment supportive of those we support: asylum-seekers and refugees in Ealing, west London #refugeeswelcome

Come work with me! Job going in Westminster/ Ealing and Acton www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a... Spread the word to anyone you know who’d fancy a post in admin and comms at team Rupa

View from the front line (two London asylum-seeker drop-ins this week) is that more decisions are coming through but communication is erratic & homelessness almost inevitable for single people especially men. And the new e-visas mean no cards = no bank accounts as the banks are unaware & reject.

All the glamorous gigs! #HamYardHotel for @wickedmovie.bsky.social screening with some rather famous people at the Q&A

Poised for asylum-seeker drop-in this afternoon with 100 SIM cards from @vodaphone.bsky.social going to people in hotels on £8 a week, for whom connectivity is key. Translated how it works into key languages (thanks #GoogleTranslate) #RefugeesWelcome

Good to see volunteers from #UnivercityWestLondon helping our local asylum-seeker drop-in by repairing donated sewing machines, so they can start a sewing club. #RefugeesWelcome

What to say in a first post? This is a harmless handle, featuring news and views about what was #ActonCentral ward & is now the patch round #ActonPark. We love our local cinema. This is what’s on this week…