Ros Wynne-Jones, known for her Real Britain column in the Daily Mirror, advocates against government budget cuts and champions the cause of everyday individuals.
Over the past weekend, as Labour supporters convened in Liverpool for their annual conference, our team traveled to Birkenhead underneath the Mersey River. We screened a film from our ‘Island of Strangers’ series at the inspiring co-operatively owned venue, Future Yard, which plays a pivotal role in the area’s regeneration efforts.
The screening was a poignant moment for us. Collaborating with the remarkable initiative called Refugees Rock, spearheaded by the Liverpool climbing wall offering free sessions to local asylum seekers, has been a transformative experience for me, along with my colleagues Claire Donnelly and John Domokos.
In a climate where services aiding refugees and asylum seekers face hostility from extremist elements, the solidarity and compassion exhibited at the Climbing Hangar, where refugees are paired with ‘Boulder Buddies,’ is a beacon of hope. Ali, a 21-year-old refugee from Iran, shared his journey of transformation from a reserved individual to someone filled with joy alongside his climbing partner, Sev Domela.
While the majority strive to unite our nation, there are factions relentlessly working to sow discord. The recent attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur, a sacred day for the Jewish community, underscores a broader assault on communal harmony. The motives behind the attacker’s actions, Jihad Al-Shamie, remain unclear, but it appears to be another attempt to instill fear and animosity in a diverse, multi-faith locale like Manchester.
Graham Stringer, the Labour MP for the area, condemned the attack as an endeavor to disrupt the city’s tolerant ethos and fracture interfaith relationships. Merseyside, home to instances of discord like the Southport tragedy and attacks on asylum hotels, also showcases moments of unity, as seen in the outpouring of support for Asylum Link Merseyside during Far-Right protests.
The narrative of Refugees Rock and the communities it serves exemplifies a different facet of Britain. In times of adversity, the collective response of thousands converging to shield the vulnerable from hate underscores the prevailing love and unity within the city.
Manchester, too, has a history of resilience against division, as evidenced in the aftermath of the tragic Manchester Arena attack in 2017, where communities rallied together in acts of solidarity and compassion.
In the face of ongoing challenges, initiatives like ‘Island of Strangers’ aim to highlight the positive endeavors within our society. These films honor the unsung heroes who bridge divides, embodying the spirit of unity and resilience that propels us forward.
Through the metaphor of climbing, our film portrays Sev and Ali’s friendship, symbolizing the power of collaboration in overcoming obstacles, mirroring life’s challenges and the pursuit of solutions together.
Join us every Friday on our Mirror Originals YouTube channel for the latest releases of our ‘Island of Strangers’ series. The Liverpool film can be viewed here.