Asylum seekers give back in environmental charity project

Asylum seekers staying in Thatcham have been keeping their neighbourhood clean.

The group – seeking refuge from atrocities in various countries – are still unable to work until necessary Home Office paperwork is completed.

The group, of mixed descent from countries including Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan and Iran, have been staying at the Regency Park Hotel since last January.

They are unable to work due to their current immigration status and lack of progress with their paperwork.

They had been cleaning the hotel that they’ve been staying in for the past 12 months in a bid to keep busy and give back.

The group of volunteers are called VIAN, a Kurdish word meaning ‘for the love of’ and have now completed their tenth session of litter picking.

West Berkshire Action for Refugees (WBAR) has praised the group for keeping the neighbourhood clean and taking care of the environment.

The charity has asked residents to say hello if they ever see the VIAN group out on their volunteering sessions.

WBAR lead volunteer Karen Reeve said: “The group have been self organised with a little bit of support from us initially.

“They're keen to give back something to the community that’s taken them in so kindly and this was a very positive way of doing so.

“They also love environmental causes so it makes for a great project for them.”