3 March 2025
Earlier in January, Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani and Lord Michael James German, accompanied by Archdeacon Jonathan Croucher and a small team of parliamentary advisors, visited Wethersfield Asylum Accommodation Site as a House of Lords Delegation.
Wethersfield is the largest accommodation centre for asylum seekers in the diocese and sits within Braintree deanery in Stansted Archdeaconry. Archdeacon Jonathan has written a report on the visit and its outcomes.
“The Wethersfield site is a former Ministry of Defence base which has been brought back into use to accommodate single male asylum seekers from a wide range of countries. This is a ‘first stop’ provision of accommodation so individuals arrive at the site soon after arriving in the country after being registered by the immigration authorities. Subject to any individual assessments and special circumstances, the maximum length of stay for individual asylum seekers accommodated on site is usually nine months after which time alternative accommodation should be provided. Asylum seekers at the site are not ‘detained’ although it’s isolated location means there is little for residents to visit or occupy themselves locally. The centre provides a minibus service between Wethersfield and Chelmsford, Colchester and Braintree.
“The use of the site has been controversial locally - Wethersfield itself has a population of 750 compared to the target of 800 individuals living on site. Refugee and human rights organisations have been highly critical of conditions on the site, noting inadequate opportunities for socialisation or engagement with local communities and poor standards of food, medical and mental health provision.
“During our visit we were hosted by the on site Home Office Lead and the Senior Manager from Clearspring Homes the private contractor who operate the site. We were joined by Melanie Shillito, a curate in the diocese who is committed to serving as chaplain on the base two days each week. Melanie reports positive engagement with church services and bible studies, principally with Christians from Iran. The multi faith building also provides space for the significant Muslim community.
“Our impressions were mixed. There have clearly been significant improvements on the site since the early reports. There is a medical facility which is responsive to the needs of those being housed onsite, and they have worked hard to increase the range and quality of food. The leadership appeared committed to ensuring wellbeing across the site is a priority. Concerns continue around access to legal advice - something which is a problem across the system in the UK - and mental health support. Individuals share a room in threes, with a shared toilet and shower between two rooms. There are concerns about the capacity of the site to expand to its target number of 800 residents without significant investment in facilities and activities - and questions about the impact of housing such a large number of single men in a rural and isolated community. Whilst the Home Office has invited partner organisations and charities on to the site to organise activities and sport, the site is very remote and the scope for individuals to leave the site other than via the Home Office bus service is restricted by the rural roads and the distance to larger towns. Care for Calais, one of the significant providers of charitable support to asylum seekers in the UK is not permitted to access the site and provides it services through a church in Braintree.
“In order to follow up on the visit, Bishop Guli and Lord German are seeking a meeting with the Lords Minister to highlight ongoing concerns.”
Prayers for Wethersfield
The Rev'd Melanie Shillito who acts as chaplain to the site has offered the following prayer points for those wishing to join her in prayer:.
- Peace and harmony; respect, tolerance and understanding; the ability to love our neighbours as ourselves
- For all Christians who have been persecuted, penalised, imprisoned or exiled for their faith
- For the families of all asylum seekers, that they feel the strength and love of God in what is also a difficult and worrying time for them
- For those who have power to bring peace, to work together to bring an end to all atrocities.