Last week, while supporters of the Labour Party gathered in Liverpool for their annual conference, our team traveled to Birkenhead via train. We visited the inspiring Future Yard venue, which is community-owned and contributes to the area’s regeneration. There, we screened a film from our series ‘Island of Strangers’ to the local community who collaborated with us on its creation.
The experience was deeply moving for us. For several months, my colleagues Claire Donnelly, John Domokos, and I have been involved with Refugees Rock, a remarkable initiative that originated when a climbing wall in Liverpool began offering free climbing sessions to asylum seekers and refugees in the area.
In a period when services supporting refugees have faced opposition, the Climbing Hangar’s gesture of solidarity and compassion, where refugees are paired with ‘Boulder Buddies’, stands out as a beacon of hope. Ali, a 21-year-old climber who fled Iran, expressed the challenges of adjusting to a new country and city, likening it to being stranded on a desert island. His transformation from a reserved figure to someone sharing moments of joy with his Boulder Buddy, Sev Domela, is a testament to the power of empathy.
Despite efforts by many to unite communities, there are those intent on sowing division through violent means. The recent attack on a synagogue in Heaton Park, Manchester, on Yom Kippur, highlights the threat posed by such acts. The motive behind the attack by Jihad Al-Shamie remains unknown, but it underscores the importance of fostering tolerance in a diverse, multi-faith region like Manchester.
In response to the attack, Labour MP Graham Stringer condemned it as an assault on the city’s tolerant ethos and interfaith relations. Merseyside, too, has witnessed instances of division, such as the misinformation following a tragic incident in Southport and an attack on asylum hotels in Knowsley.
Nevertheless, amid these challenges, heartwarming stories of unity emerge. In Toxteth, just a stone’s throw from the conference center, an old Victorian presbytery serves as a hub for the local refugee community. Asylum Link Merseyside, a focal point for Far-Right protests, received overwhelming support from thousands of people, showcasing a wave of solidarity and love that transcends hate.
Manchester has also shown resilience in the face of adversity, with diverse communities coming together following tragic events like the Manchester Arena attack. The city’s Lord Mayor emphasized the importance of unity in creating cohesive and resilient communities.
In times where division seems prevalent, initiatives like ‘Island of Strangers’ aim to spotlight the positive endeavors within our communities. The film delves into the experiences of individuals like Sev and Ali, whose friendship blossomed through Refugees Rock, demonstrating the transformative power of camaraderie and support.
Through the lens of climbing, the film symbolizes the perseverance needed to overcome obstacles, echoing Sev’s analogy that life’s challenges are akin to solving problems on a rockface. The shared journey of Sev and Ali embodies the spirit of mutual understanding and growth, even in the face of adversity.
As we navigate through turbulent times, let these films serve as guiding lights, illuminating paths of unity and resilience within our communities. The ‘Island of Strangers’ series releases every Friday on our Mirror Originals YouTube channel, capturing stories of hope and solidarity in challenging landscapes.