Portland Global Friendship Group

22/08/2026

A gorgeous watch.....

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcObCU_xT-G/?igsi=MWF0dm03ZzdtNnRzMw==

13/08/2026

* UNDERWEAR NEEDED AT ASYLUM SEEKER ACCOMMODATION IN CROWBOROUGH *

Further to yesterday's post about the army training camp being used to accommodate asylum seekers in Crowborough. A few people have messaged to ask if they can help.

It's heart breaking really but the things that are desperately needed at the moment are socks and boxer shorts.

It's difficult to give out an address publicly (due to the harassment local volunteers are experiencing) but if anyone can help, we can forward a delivery address in a private message.

It would be wonderful if we could extend the kind generosity of our wonderful supporters to our friends in Sussex.

Mainly medium size boxer shorts are needed but a few small/large would be helpful.

Socks to cover mainly size 8.

🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️

Donations can also be made here....

https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-migrants-asylum-seekers-with-compassion/cl/s?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp30-no-carousel&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_US

Or please contact us at... [email protected] if you can help.

12/08/2026

"Crowborough Aware" is a vigilante type Facebook group posting alarmist posts about asylum seekers who are being accommodated locally in the Crowborough area.

We experienced this on Portland with the toxic "No To The Barge" group where people of colour were photographed on buses, having a picnic, just going about their business really. For a period of time (until the racists got bored) it was pretty horrific.

In a recent post on the "Crowborough Aware" group a male has been noticed sitting in a wooded area near a car park. Nothing wrong with that right? Yes according to "Crowborough Aware" as the male has got dark skin, is therefore an asylum seeker and therefore making women unsafe.....so many leaps.

We know that comments challenging horrendous discrimination helped our friends on the Bibby Stockholm barge who, like us, did not understand the fear that was attributed to their presence.

We have been blocked from "Crowborough Aware" for offering a differing opinion but if anyone would like to comment we would be grateful. Our philosophy was (and still is) that people who post these vile comments are unlikely to have their opinions changed by someone challenging them. But it might resonate with other people reading the comments who are only used to one opinion.

Donations can be made to SAMAS, the wonderful voluntary service formed to support the asylum seekers here...

SAMAS - Supporting Migrants and Asylum Seekers in East Sussex

SAMAS offers welcoming community support and projects for migrants and asylum seekers in East Sussex, promoting integration and inclusion.

25/07/2026

An ex-Bibby Stockholm resident who is working is looking for a private room to rent in the Bromley/Beckenham area. Please message if you can help.

15/07/2026

Nadia came to visit us on Portland when the asylum seekers were here. She was very interested to learn about all our experiences.

12/07/2026

‘We plant belonging’: how nature charities and asylum seekers work together in UK countryside

Environmental and refugee groups have joined forces to benefit lives and wildlife in Wales and elsewhere

05/07/2026

Developing in London. Brave speech from 84 year old Reverend Sue Parfitt Hope our Giovanna Lewis is ok.

02/07/2026

As several of our supports are also part of Defend our Juries, and the Lush family have been very supportive of the asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm, we thought we'd share this amazing generosity from the Lush family in case you'd like to take it up.

29/06/2026

Thanks Portland Green Party and friends for the community street clean yesterday 💚

22/06/2026

Huge thanks to ARK Cliftonville for inviting us to talk at the Bibby Boys exhibition with photographer/film maker Thomas Ralph during Refugee Week.

The wonderful community of Cliftonville and Margate came together during the early days of the Bibby Stockholm's tenure, holding hands around one of the coaches with asylum seekers who were forced to leave Margate for the barge. It was a beautiful act of solidarity.

It was so fitting to see The Bibby Boys exhibition in this location.

The Ark and everyone connected with it does wonderful things for their local community and are a shining example of how integration works.

We were welcomed to The Ark with incredible kindness, participated in some amazing events and came away with hearts full of joy. Thank you to everyone at The Ark for all that you do ❤️