Volunteers from Christ Church in Southport have created 130 special parcels for asylum seekers staying in The Scarisbrick Hotel.
Lizi Rothwell had the idea of creating a warm welcome for them after hearing of negative reaction to their arrival from some people.
She said: “I have just delivered 130 welcome packs and as a church, we are looking into ongoing support also. Serco have been really helpful.
“It has been great to show the love of God and the care of Southport towards these people.
“I had the idea after reading negative comments, in response to the news they were arriving!
“I then spoke to the church family to see if there would be any support from them, and I asked for donations of toothbrushes and toothpaste and general toiletries also.
“I bought items in bulk from Amazon out of my own money but it has been totally reimbursed by the church’s financial donations.”
Volunteers at Christ Church in Southport have created parcels for 150 asylum seekers staying at The Scarisbrick Hotel on Lord Street in Southport
Around 150 asylum seekers were temporarily homed in The Scarisbrick hotel on Lord Street last month by Serco.
Sefton Council’s leader said the local authority has ‘every sympathy’ for people fleeing war and human rights abuses.
Cllr Ian Maher said: “The council has every sympathy for people who are fleeing their homeland to escape persecution and has previously passed a Full Council motion, supported by all political partie
s, which welcomed asylum seekers into our Borough.
“Ultimately, the placing of asylum seekers is the responsibility of the Home Office, supported by public services provider Serco Group plc, and the Council is keen to work with them to help these people who have had to flee their homes, possibly because of war or human rights abuses.”
Jenni Halliday, Serco Contract Director for Asylum Seeker Accommodation, said: “Serco had a constructive dialogue with officials in the Local Authority before any asylum seekers arrived in Southport and we are grateful for their support.
“Asylum seekers are being accommodated in the hotel in single rooms, unless they are a family.
“They are being given three meals per day and the Serco team is providing support in the hotel to these vulnerable people 24/7.
“We are ensuring that the asylum seekers are provided with all the Government and Public Health England guidance about the steps they need to take to keep everyone safe, including such measures as social distancing.”
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