People seeking asylum are currently being housed at Crowborough Military Barracks in East Sussex. These are former military facilities, isolated from communities, where people are often housed in shared dormitory-style rooms with limited privacy. These are not appropriate places for people who have often experienced trauma, loss, and displacement.
As a local residents group campaigning against the project said, ‘Many of these men are likely to be survivors of war, torture, trafficking, and suffer from PTSD. Yet the government plans to place them in a military environment - surrounded by gunfire from nearby police training facilities and public shooting ranges - an environment that could retraumatise the very people it is supposed to protect. The High Court has previously found that accommodating vulnerable people in such sites is unlawful.'
At the same time, the way government messaging presents both asylum accommodation and the people living there can contribute to fear and division within communities. This approach is not in line with the kindness, fairness, and inclusivity that we know is valued across the UK.
We believe there is a better approach - one that centres empathy and community.
We’ve created a short email template you can send to your MP calling for:
- safe, community-based accommodation
- dignified support for people seeking asylum
- responsible government messaging that does not fuel division.
It takes just a minute to send, and can be edited as much or little as you like.
By taking action, you’re helping to push for policies and conversations that reflect compassion, respect, and the kind of communities we want to live in.
Please also consider sharing this with friends, family, and your networks. The more people who speak up, the stronger the message.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
