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» WHAT CAN I DO?
WHAT CAN I DO?
It’s up to ALL of us to make our city a dynamic community of
welcome and hospitality. Here are just a few pointers to get you
started, or email us with more ideas…
Sign up to Couch Surfing to
offer (and receive) hospitality in Leeds or wherever
you go!
Help give people a second chance: join one of the schemes supporting
local prisoners at HMP
Armley. Phone 01132032600 for more info.
**
THIS IS MUCH BIGGER THAN IMMIGRATION, BUT… **
Get familiar with the history of UK
migration: for instance, did you know that Marks and Spencer
and Burton’s Menswear were both founded by refugees in Leeds? Websites
like Wikipedia
and Moving Here have lots
of good info and stories. And immigration is NOT a
black and white issue, so check out websites like Sovereignty
– and even Migration Watch,
for the other side of the argument.
And join the debate! Write letters to newspapers with
your views and stories of engaging with different people, immigration,
and how we can be a city (and nation) of welcome.
Be inspired by the ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ TV show, research your family tree, and
find out how far your ancestors travelled to get to Leeds!
Watch films like ‘Grow
Your Own’ or TV shows like the BBC’s ‘Meet the Immigrants’
to see the world through the eyes of others.
Do people seeking asylum eat our swans and steal our donkeys? Find out
the FACTS behind the MYTHS about
refugees and asylum, according to the UN,
The
Daily Mirror, or Refugee
Action.
Invite the Refugee Council’s local ‘Talks Team’ into your school /
tenants group / community forum, to hear the real life stories
of refugees and people seeking asylum: email
or phone 01132449404.
Choose to use the (more humanising) phrase ‘people seeking
asylum’ in place of ‘asylum-seekers’.
Perhaps even consider becoming a Shortstop host to
offer short-term accommodation to homeless refugees and people seeking
asylum.
And there are lots of box-ticking, politically correct ‘diversity’
initiatives, but we really rate the Leeds-based National Centre for
Diversity, who are passionate about enabling different
people to engage well together!
Car share or lift share, to
save money, cut your carbon, and meet people!
Join the Freecycle network in
Leeds, to share unwanted stuff with people who might need it more!
**
BUT THIS IS MUCH BIGGER THAN ALL THESE SCHEMES IN THEMSELVES. IT’S
ABOUT EACH OF US DAILY OPENING OUR LIVES UP TO ONE ANOTHER: OUR
NEIGHBOURS, PEOPLE ON THE BUS, IN THE PARK, AT THE BUS STOP, AT WORK,
THROUGH SPORT, EVERYWHERE.
EAT WITH PEOPLE. OPEN UP YOUR HOME. TALK ABOUT DIFFICULT ISSUES.
PLAN A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER. CAN YOU? **
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