Toiletries donated to women seeking asylum at Cumbria Park Hotel

Pamela Birks, a Carlisle City Councillor, got together her Labour colleagues to bring toiletries for the women seeking asylum, expected at the Cumbria Park Hotel in Carlisle.

The Cumbria Park Hotel in Stanwix said in a social media post that it will cease operating as a hotel for the general public and begin hosting families seeking refuge from Friday, November 11.

This is an endeavour of goodwill and comes after significant backlash from some of Carlisle's residents over the news that these people will be arriving at the hotel.

In response to this, Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson said: "The gossip and misinformation that is going around Carlisle at the moment is appalling.

"The gossip mill has caused a lot of upset to the parents and residents north of the river."

Pamela explained of the bags: “Bags and toiletries were brought to our last council meeting, including toothbrushes, toothpaste deodorant shower gel, shampoo, sanitary products, moisturiser, combs, and brushes.  

“This would provide a welcome pack for those who were arriving in Carlisle with nothing to let them know the majority of people in Carlisle wish them well and want them to feel valued by giving them items that we take for granted.

“It wasn’t just the female labour councillors the male councillors ransacked their wives’ toiletries and brought those in.

“These were given to CRAG’s (Carlisle Refugee Action Group) Jon Greenwood to make sure they got to the correct place.”

This is also a part of Pamela’s project Dignity in a Bag, started in 2018, which provides bags of essential toiletries for women fleeing domestic abuse.

Pamela explained that as women nearly always put themselves last after children, they don’t get nice things like face masks or moisturisers that really make a difference.

She added: “I asked my friends if they had an old handbag that they could put an item into each week until full, then hand it to me to deliver to those who support women fleeing abuse. 

“Since 2018 I have had the great pleasure of handing over nearly 300 handbags.

“We all deserve to be respected and allowed some dignity, and that is what the Labour councillors hope we have given to these women.”

Lib Dem Brian Wernham, Councillor on the Cumberland Shadow Unitary Authority, said: "I have been contacted by the manager of the hotel in Stanwix. 

"The women refuge seekers have arrived but their bags have been lost on the way from Kent.

"They are in urgent need of donations," he said. 

A spokesperson from Cumbria County Council said: "Please don't take any more donations to the Cumbria Park Hotel.

"Thank you to everyone who has donated clothes and goods for women and children arriving at the Cumbria Park hotel. 

"The support is welcome but the immediate need has been met. Please do not take any items to hotel directly. 

"We are working with local support group to manage donations."

Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson said: "Whilst we get an idea of long-term needs, if you would still like to support, we would recommend donating to Cumbria Community Foundation's Welcome Fund. 

"There is now a drop-off point at the Civic Centre for women's undergarments and coats, please could they be new or washed. 

"No bedding or blankets, nothing else is needed at the moment besides nightware and personal underware, sizes ten to eighteen preferably," she said. 

READ MORE: Plea for compassion and tolerance as Carlisle asylum hotel triggers strong response