Letter from prominent people in Bristol and the South West to refugees in their community for Valentine’s Day 2024:
Dear refugees of Bristol and the South West,
This Valentine’s Day we are writing to share love and solidarity with you, to make it clear to you and to our political leaders that we welcome you into our community.
As people from all walks of life in Bristol and the South West – from trade unions, business, sports teams, faith groups, schools, student unions, the arts and music – we are signing this joint message to you to show that Bristol is standing together with refugees and calling for a fair new plan.
Given the chance, we know communities like ours go the extra mile to welcome refugees – opening our homes, befriending, speaking up, volunteering and donating to provide practical and moral support. Given the chance, refugees do so much to enrich our society as they build new lives.
There are so many inspiring and heartwarming initiatives across our communities to support and welcome those seeking refuge here. The Bristol City of Sanctuary Transport Fund is only one shining example – a project where First Bus matches the money raised from our communities to provide free bus tickets for destitute asylum seekers, thus enabling them to attend crucial solicitors’ and medical appointments, and to visit the several Welcome Centres, where they can share food and the company of others.
We’re so grateful for your wonderful contributions to our communities, culture and economy.
We want you to know that there is overwhelming support across the region for a fair new plan for refugees, one that’s rooted in fairness, justice and compassion – a positive alternative to the current uncaring, costly and chaotic refugee system. Now is the time for a fairer and more compassionate approach towards refugees in the UK.
With love from,
Susana Askew, Manager of the Bristol City of Sanctuary
Shahid Akram, Managing Director, Ummah Funerals
Jacob Anderson, actor and musician
Rachael Bee, Co-Founder, Refugee Welcome Homes
Mijanou Blech, Director, Bristol Hospitality Networks
Will Brown, CEO, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Dave Chapple, Chair, Bridgwater Trades Council
Hannah David, PCS National Vice President and Chair of South West Regional Committee and South West TUC
James Davies, PCS South West Regional Secretary
Robert Del Naja, Musician, Massive Attack
Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol
Dan Green, Co-founder and Managing Director, Bridges for Communities
Donovan Hawley, Chair, Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation
Lawrence Hoo, Poet
Layla Ismail, Development Manager, Refugee Women of Bristol
Ken Loach, Film Director
Abdul Malik, Chair, Easton Jamia Masjid
Andrew McCarthy, Acting CEO, Bristol Refugee Rights
Rev Richard McKay, St Nicholas of Tolentino Church, Bristol
Seb Michnowicz, Secretary, Bristol ASLEF Branch
Tariq Modood, Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy at the University of Bristol
Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, poet, playwright and former Children’s Laureate
Lady Clare Morpurgo
Reverend Sue Parfitt, Climate Justice Campaigner
Alex Raikes, Chief Executive, SARI, and former High Sheriff of the County of City of Bristol 2022-2023
Farooq Siddique, Columnist
Phoebe Westwood, Development Manager, Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership (BRASP)
Amber Williams, President, Bristol NEU
Dom Wood, CEO, 1625 Independent People
Waqar Younis, Secretary Pakistan Association Bristol (PAB)
