Volunteers are due to greet asylum seekers at Portland Port with a welcome pack made up of donations from the local community.

The first 50 asylum seekers were due to arrive at the Port on Tuesday August 1, however their arrival was delayed over concerns about fire safety on the barge.

It is understood between 25-50 asylum seekers could arrive at Portland Port today (August 2).

Portland Global Friendship Group are a group of local people who will work to support asylum seekers once they arrive in Dorset.

They have been taking donations from members of the public to put together a welcome pack for the asylum seekers who will be living on the barge.

The pack includes basic toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and shaving equipment as well as a map of Portland.

It also includes a postcard with a number for the Dorset Global Friendship Group

Heather Joans, a member of the Portland Global Friendship group, said: "We are a group of local residents who formed as a group who were concerned about support from asylum seekers.

"These are all donations, there has been an incredible amount of donations from the local community and yesterday about 20 of us got together to make up these packs.

 

 

"This is a part of Portland history, we want to show how kind and amazing the Portland Community are.

Dorset Echo: Portland Global Friendship Group have put together 50 welcome packsPortland Global Friendship Group have put together 50 welcome packs (Image: Portland Global Friendship)

Dorset Echo: Members of Portland Global Friendship Group putting together the welcome packsMembers of Portland Global Friendship Group putting together the welcome packs (Image: Portland Global Friendship group)

"As much as we didn't want the barge to happen, we want the asylum seekers to know we see them as part of our community."

"The postcard which is included has our phone number, which is a communal phone which we are all sharing around so if they want to meet local Portland residents, they can phone that number for support or help or friendship so they know they have friends on the island."

Members of Stand Up to Racism Dorset will also be welcoming asylum seekers at Portland Port alongside the Dorset Global Friendship Group.

They have planned to hold up a sign of large cardboard letters saying "Welcome" 

Dorset Echo: The Welcome sign which will be help up as asylum seekers arriveThe Welcome sign which will be help up as asylum seekers arrive (Image: Portland Global Friendship Group)