A safe centre in challenging times…
4th September 2024
Some days just seem RELENTLESS. I always used to say, rather loftily … the challenge IS the challenge. And we, as leaders, are doing our level best to come up with innovative solutions to emergent problems.
The recent far-right uprising has without a doubt had a significant impact on the people we serve and our staff team. These are proving to be exceptionally difficult times to navigate, and our participant voices are more important than ever.
As I drove to work this morning, listening to LBC, the announcement that two more boats had been spotted trying to cross the English Channel rocked me to the core.
I am still trying to process the fact that twelve PEOPLE died after their boat was torn apart while attempting to cross the Channel from France just yesterday. Despite rescue efforts that saved 65 people, the incident is the deadliest in the Channel this year. Most on board lacked life vests, as only eight had been provided.
I cannot imagine the absolute terror someone is feeling that they would expose their own lives and that of their children, to such danger. And in the knowledge that so many poor souls died making the same journey mere hours before.
In today’s team meeting, as we prepare for a new term of activities, socials, and classes at New Routes, we dedicated time and space to thank our colleagues with lived experience for all they do, tirelessly and with grace, to support some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in our communities. We acknowledged the deep and essential connection, knowledge, empathy and guidance that only they can provide to our sanctuary seeking participants.
We could not do our critical work without their guidance. Thank you.
We hope the new government will act fast to create safe and legal routes for asylum seekers to reach the UK, reducing the need for dangerous Channel crossings.
For their sake.
And ours.
GEE COOK
New Routes Chief Executive
Posted in: News
