Salesian Cooperator, Paul Barnes, writes about the Salesian ethos he finds in his community's response to the plight of refugees and asylum seekers though the Destitution Project in Bolton, where he is a volunteer. Paul is pictured above left, with Battersea past pupil, David O'Keefe.

 

Since coming back to Bolton from Cornwall in 2016, I have been reintroducing myself to life in the community, including my local Parish of St Edmund's and St Patrick's, and it was through church that I was introduced by a Thornleigh past pupil, Denis Madden, to what is known as the Destitution Project.

 

I have recently started there as a volunteer and am finding it very fulfilling. The project was set up in 2015 and is held in the Methodist Victoria Halls, although it is non denominational. It opens each Wednesday from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Its main purpose is to support and befriend refugees and asylum seekers including those who have failed to obtain refugee status. There are about 28 volunteers at the moment and over 125/150 on a regular basis.

The lead person is David O'Keeffe who happens to be a Battersea past pupil. It turns out that he was a pupil when I was a Salesian brother doing my studies there in the early 1960s. He is a true Salesian in his approach to things, and he thanks the Holy Spirit when things go well and blames himself when things don't go so well! We often chat about about things Salesian. He remembers all the staff especially the Headteacher Fr Chadwick and Brother Joseph who always greeted pupils as they arrived at the school gates similar to my experience of Fr Wilcock at Thornleigh in the early 50s.

 

The attendees come from all over , mainly from Sudan, plus Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, El Salvador, India, Myanmar and Afghanistan. They speak a range of languages, Arabic being the most common, along with Kurdish, Dinka etc. Whilst there they can attend English classes, utilise triage - a screening service which offers help to solve problems such as electricity bills and Home Office Applications. There is also a trained social worker / counsellor who is kept busy most of the day.

 

The main large room contains games such as table football, pool and table tennis. There is an ongoing supply of free coffee, tea and biscuits, and a free vegetarian lunch. There is also a free barber service for the men and donated food and clothes which come from a variety of sources in the community. There has recently been a bicycle maintenance service and there is a drama group and a choir is soon to be started.

 

Initially when people arrive, they are either asylum seekers or refugees evidenced by possession of a card issued by the Home office. If they are asylum seekers they are provided with accommodation and £36 a week. but are not allowed to work until their application for refugee status is approved but then they have 28 days in which to find their own accommodation.

 

The experience for me has been very rewarding as we see people being cared for. Apart from volunteering with people from various local Catholic parishes, there are people from other faiths or no faith at, all plus Sister Barbara and Sister Christine, Sisters of Cross and Passion who are both in their 80's. I have also met volunteers who were at Primary School with me in St. Gregory's Farnworth.

 

It is strange how one's life pans out, I like to think it is the hand of God, and I will miss my Wednesdays for the next 3 months as I return to Tanzania at the end of September.

 

Paul Barnes
Salesian Cooperator