Reflections from Our October Community Lunch
Building Community, Shaping Change: Reflections from Our October Community Lunch
Each month, the Cotton Tree Trust hosts a community lunch that brings together people at different stages of their asylum and refugee journeys. These gatherings are more than shared meals, they are spaces for connection, collective reflection, and conversation about the issues shaping people’s lives.
At our latest lunch, members from across our community joined us to meet new faces, share experiences, and talk about what’s happening right now. One member, who recently received her refugee status, described Cotton Tree as “more than an organisation – it’s like a family and a community.” Her words captured what many people in the room felt: that belonging and solidarity are powerful antidotes to isolation.
What We Heard
The discussion this month centred on accommodation and stability: two areas where people’s experiences continue to reveal deep systemic problems. Members spoke about the poor quality and insecurity of both asylum and temporary accommodation, highlighting how unsuitable living conditions can impact health, mental wellbeing, and a sense of safety.
A strong theme emerged around the gap between public perception and lived experience. While the media often portrays hotels as comfortable or generous provisions for asylum seekers, the reality is far from it. Members shared that these spaces often lack privacy, safety, and dignity - basic needs that every person deserves.
There was also visible anxiety about the proposed policy to extend Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years. Members expressed concern that this change would prolong uncertainty and make it harder for people to build stable, fulfilling lives in the UK. For many, the five-year route already feels long and uncertain; doubling it risks pushing security even further out of reach.
Why These Conversations Matter
Our community lunches are not only about support and belonging, they are also about listening to lived experience and building collective understanding. Every story shared helps us identify where things aren’t working well for people and how we can work together to make them better. At Cotton Tree, by creating spaces where people can speak freely and safely, we gather real insights into how policies and practices affect daily life.
Looking Ahead
As we continue hosting these monthly lunches, we remain committed to turning shared experiences into collective action. The voices and realities of our community must be at the centre of any effort to create change. At Cotton Tree Trust, our mission is simple but urgent: to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers not only survive, but also have the chance to live with dignity, safety, and hope.
