Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre should be closed now. For the safety of asylum residents and of all.
@mearsgroup and @ukhomeoffice are putting people's lives in danger.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan…
#UrbanHouse Today's @CommonsHomeAffs report: "We urge the Home Office urgently to review the way Mears has been operating during the pandemic, to consider its poor management of service users’ welfare, and the wider public health consequences of its approach"
committees.parliament.uk/publications/2…

Thread/
Mears Group, asylum accommodation & Covid 19

4 months ago, a woman at Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre Wakefield asked "How do we wash our hands with no soap in the bathrooms?" Another feared "coronavirus spreading in this crowded place"

symaag.org.uk/2020/03/31/how… Urban House residents complained about forced room sharing, no PPE, no sanitiser, 270 people sharing a few toilet facilities, poor food and no protection for people with severe health conditions inc children.
They protested bravely, including a hunger strike. Mears ignored them

Thanks to London Kurdish Community Centre and our wonderful volunteer team we're on our way to make another delivery of food, clothes and hygiene supplies to asylum residents at Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre in Wakefield

Want to help? read on 👇 "At Urban House the food is horrible, the same breakfast every single day. Porridge often burnt. Soft white bread, no toast, A little butter and jam. There is no special food for children.’ Anne, nutritionist from the Middle East.

Asylum residents at Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre, Wakefield strike and protest for better food.
Last week, a man with diabetes went on a 7 day hunger strike and 40 people returned inadequate food to the canteen in protest.
facebook.com/symaag.person.9 Alongside Urban House residents we have documented the poor quality and unsuitable food there irr.org.uk/news/like-a-pr…. Pregnant women, young children, people with serious health conditions given 'meals' like these

"If she doesn't like it she can leave".

200 asylum residents' lives are being put in danger at Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre, Wakefield by Mears Group and the Home Office.

Mears-run asylum housing is also failing its tenants, from Glasgow to Sheffield

Thread>> 4 weeks into national Covid19 lockdown:
* Unrelated people forced to share small rooms making social distancing/isolation impossible
* Vulnerable people (inc children) still at Urban House
* No PPE, little health info for residents
* Poor food, blocked toilets, bug infestations