“We Are Not Just Homeless; We Are in Pain”: BAME HUB-UK Calls for Immediate Intervention as Homeless Residents in Reading Face Eviction" Reading, 28 July 2025, in a powerful show of compassion and leadership, BAME HUB-UK, in collaboration with His Excellency Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Joseph Warui, local health professionals, and community advocates, visited a homeless encampment in Reading to engage directly with individuals experiencing severe hardship. What began as a grassroots outreach mission quickly revealed the scale of a growing emergency. Several residents, including seven Kenyan nationals, Tanzanians, Jamaicans, Ghanians and multiple British citizens from ethnic backgrounds, disclosed that they had just been served with a High Court Writ of Possession, ordering their eviction from the land they currently occupy. The encampment, situated on non-residential land along Abattoirs Road in Reading, is now at the centre of both legal enforcement and humanitarian concern. Many residents are navigating a complex web of challenges, including unresolved immigration cases, deteriorating mental health, lack of access to healthcare, and profound social isolation. For most, their tents represent the only form of shelter and stability in an otherwise unforgiving reality. The visit was led by Alice Maina, CEO of BAME HUB-UK and Chair of the Reading Kenya Community, along with Joseph Mutonyi, a director of BAME HUB-UK. They were accompanied by His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Joseph Warui PhD, Deputy Head of Mission at the Kenyan High Commission in London, whose presence signalled diplomatic concern and deep empathy. “Their courage, despite their suffering, is humbling,” said Ambassador Warui. “It reminds us that 'utu', our shared humanity, is not just a cultural value but a moral imperative. We must ensure that no member of our community is left behind.” Also present were a senior NHS nurse and Anne Medard, a registered social worker and respected community leader. The team listened attentively to the personal testimonies shared by the residents, many of whom described not only the physical toll of rough sleeping but the emotional trauma and mental anguish they endure daily. One resident described the experience not merely as homelessness but as “a state of emotional pain.” Another explained that breaking free from the cycle of destitution would require more than temporary relief; it would require healing, dignity, tools for recovery, and sustained holistic support. Their message was unmistakably clear: their circumstances cannot be addressed through punitive enforcement or short-term solutions, but only through coordinated, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care. As the outreach team offered empathy and reassurance, residents shared that they had been served with a High Court Writ of Possession dated July 4, 2025. Issued on behalf of Reading Borough Council, the writ authorises enforcement officers to enter the site, remove all occupants, and return possession of the land to the Council. An official record of execution is also required. The timing of the writ has intensified anxiety within the camp, as many now face imminent displacement with nowhere to go. “This situation is heartbreaking,” said Alice Maina. “To serve eviction notices to people sleeping in tents, without offering alternatives or assessing their vulnerabilities, is not only unjust, it is inhumane.” Community leaders and professionals echoed this concern, urging a shift away from enforcement and toward investment in people’s lives. “This is about more than just housing,” said Anne Medard. “It’s about recognising trauma, resolving immigration barriers, restoring dignity, and enabling people to heal. These individuals are not criminals; they are survivors.” The outreach underscored the urgent need for integrated, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate services. Many residents are unable to access formal systems due to fear or prior negative experiences. Some have been trapped in this cycle for years. Others have only recently become destitute due to the UK’s increasingly hostile immigration environment and policies such as No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), which prevent many from receiving even the most basic support. Ambassador Warui, deeply moved by the conditions, delivered a heartfelt statement to the community: “Today in Reading, I encountered seven Kenyan nationals enduring homelessness, sheltered only by makeshift tents. Their resilience was humbling and serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for collective compassion and solidarity. I commend Madam Alice, CEO of BAME HUB-UK and Chair of the Reading Kenya Community, and the fellow community leaders whose commendable efforts are restoring dignity and offering hope to these individuals in need. I respectfully urge all Kenyans across the United Kingdom to embrace the spirit of utu, our shared humanity. Let us remain our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers by extending compassion, unity, and grace. The essence of the Kenyan spirit is not only found in moments of triumph, but in how we uplift one another during times of adversity. Together, let us ensure that no member of our community is left behind.” Amb. Dr. Joseph Warui PhD, Deputy Head of Mission, Kenyan High Commission. In response to the urgency of the situation, BAME HUB-UK has pledged to escalate the matter with immediate effect. The organisation will formally request that Reading Borough Council suspend the eviction order and instead collaborate with local services to explore safe, dignified alternatives. These include emergency accommodation, access to legal advice for immigration cases, culturally tailored mental health support, and long-term casework to help individuals regain stability. In the coming days, BAME HUB-UK will coordinate a broader response, engaging local Members of Parliament, faith institutions, statutory agencies, and civil society to galvanise support and advocate for a more compassionate approach. “This is not just a legal issue,” concluded Madam Alice. “It’s a moral one. We have faith in our British legal system and trust that it will listen, act fairly, and justly with compassion. These people are part of our shared community. If we turn away from them now, we fail as institutions.” For media enquiries, partnership opportunities, or to support BAME HUB-UK’s advocacy on this issue, please contact: 📧 inquiries@bamehubuk.org 🌐 bamehubuk.org