Children’s Asylum Centre ‘too welcoming’ 😢

By the time my grandchild is of an age to discuss such matters I will be long gone westendgirl. I’m not interested in courting popularity. I don’t feel sympathy for people of any age who could stay in any of the safe countries they have traveled through but choose to pay thousands to people smugglers to come to the UK.

On our local television last evening, there was a very pleasant lady who fosters unaccompanied small boat children. She explained how the children are and behave - very fearful, withdrawn and very quiet, when they arrive. I can only imagine what an unwelcome arrival at these centres must do to them.

Some people have no soul. I recognise what they are. I thought history was behind us.

Callistemon21

annodomini

Our late and much missed friend, Phoenix, had a good line in curses. Does anyone remember one?

I was only trying to be helpful!
😁

Yes, and I'm sure Phoenix's curse use was jokily. Which is fine.

I'm not so sure curses against politicians one tends to diagree with would fall into the same category. If such were applied from right to left of the political spectrum, I think it would be seen as hate speech, which many people condemn.

That is by the bye. I was simply pointing out it was not equivalent in the current case, should curses be applied.

It was indeed pointless cruelty

Not just to the children but to the staff who must find it am incredibly saddening and stressful place to work

..but I am suggesting this action was abhorrent.

westendgirl

I wonder how some people will explain their stance to their grandchildren when they are of an age to discuss such matters.

I would and will if it comes up do what my parents did - talk to me about the state of life for many others who dont have what we have, and why, war, famine, lead to the consequences they do, and what asylum means. Tolerance of difference.

And tell them about the mural and how hatred and intolerance breeds more hatred and intolerance.

No I am not suggesting an open door policy but

That'll fix it!

As soon as children hear there is no longer murals they won't get on the boats at all!

In fact, they will probably just stay in war torn countries and slowly starve if they can't come look at Mickey Mouse!

I agrée with every word BlueBelle no humanity, for a few murals which could be the first normal thing seen by these children and the vast majority are children, lost souls.

I wonder how some people will explain their stance to their grandchildren when they are of an age to discuss such matters.

choughdancer

JaneJudge

Long term it is better for children who arrive here to feel safe, it is my understanding that most stay. I'm also aware through my voluntary work, that volunteers are allowed to go into the centres and play with the children, help the families of those that cant stay. It is called humanity

That's good to hear JaneJudge.

Seconded.

I feel great grief some wish to punish. It's not the world I want to live in. Do as you would be done by.

annodomini

Our late and much missed friend, Phoenix, had a good line in curses. Does anyone remember one?

I was only trying to be helpful!
😁

Beautiful post*foxie*that’s what any decent human being would wish for their fellow man.

Wish there was a like button here.

I knew our agreement on another thread wouldn’t last long GSM
I really find your views on Refugees and others fleeing from violence, war, and poverty so hard to swallow when you are in a favourable position in life yourself

I totally agree Westendgirl it was despicable and I hope the people who are saying they will paint it straight back, manage to do so

Many or even most landing here would happily pay their way if they were allowed to work GSM Let’s hope you never fall on hard times and get treated with the hard hearted ways that you are in favour of

My preference would be for every country to be a safe place where people can live in peace regardless of their religion, ethnic group, sexuality..................There are so many very valid reasons why people become refugees. It's not an easy option. I think it's a measure of desperation that anyone, child or adult, would get into a rubber dinghy and risk their life or tuck themselves into the landing gear of a plane or any of the dangerous things people do to flee their country. When we "detain" unaccompanied children, we don't know who will qualify for refugee status or those who have been trafficked, or those who have had parents die on route. We don't their history or their traumas or their age or very much at all really. What we do know though, is they are people just like you and me, so I would prefer them to be treated with humanity.

It was a disgraceful act which desrves no support at all and shows the government in their true colours.Harsh in the extreme and not necessary. Who was he trying to impress ?
Interesting that the Lords are not willing to agree.

I know precisely what you’re getting at and won’t rise to the bait.

Do you feel that about all vulnerable people who can't pay tax or is it limited to refugees?

My preference is for them not to come here and not to stay. Unless they have family here who can keep them without resorting to taxpayers’ money until such time as they pay their way.

JaneJudge

Long term it is better for children who arrive here to feel safe, it is my understanding that most stay. I'm also aware through my voluntary work, that volunteers are allowed to go into the centres and play with the children, help the families of those that cant stay. It is called humanity

That's good to hear JaneJudge.

Long term it is better for children who arrive here to feel safe, it is my understanding that most stay. I'm also aware through my voluntary work, that volunteers are allowed to go into the centres and play with the children, help the families of those that cant stay. It is called humanity

I make no comparison with hospitals. You might wish to make them feel welcome. As you will have realised, I don’t.

Germanshepherdsmum

They refused to paint over the murals, yes, as I understand it. This is a detention centre, not a nursery.

Should we then remove all the comforting fun things in children's wards in hospitals then? After all, it's a hospital, not a nursery.

These are children, who may well be unaccompanied because their parents have been killed or imprisoned! Or they got separated on the incredibly arduous journey from their homelands! What is it in anyone that thinks it is right deliberately to remove something that might make them feel slightly more welcome and safe?

Children’s hospitals can’t be compared with detention centres for people who have come here without permission, who could have stayed in another safe country.

Lots of adults like Disney too, so I guess some 16 year olds might also like it.

Do you think immigration centres for unaccompanied children shouldn't have toys in either? How can having a sterile environment be in vulnerable children's best interests? and if we bring tax into the scenario, how does it cost any more tax to have a painted mural on the wall.

There is a psychology between art and trauma, it's why they paint children's hospitals with scenes and murals and why there is art in hospital. People going through trauma benefit from it