By Harry Mottram: Fairfield House day centre users are gearing up to help the people of Jamaica hit by Hurricane Melissa after the island was devastated leaving scores dead, hundreds injured and thousands homeless. The house in Bath left to the city by the head of state of Ethiopia Haile Selassie after his stay in Bath when he was exiled by the Italian Axis forces in the war is the social and welfare centre for many of the city’s ethnic minorities – and mainly senior citizens who use the house have declared ‘a go situation’ for the appeal. BEMSCA (Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association) and Fairfield House Bath CIC (Community Interest Company) are joining forces in a ‘heartfelt call to action’, coordinating a whole-community response to support those affected by the catastrophic Hurricane.
Initially the airports were closed and the majority of the 2.8 million islanders were without electricity and many were without fresh water and access to medical help and food. Homes were flattened and infrastructure upended as trees blocked roads and floods swamped schools, hospitals and shops. An international effect is underway but Bathonians can do their bit. BEMSCA and Fairfield House Bath CIC are working closely with a range of community partners including local churches, Bath & North East Somerset Council, radio stations Imperial Voice, Crystal Love, and UK Pressure, as well as the Jamaican High Commission, to ensure a coordinated and effective relief effort.
Norma Jaggon, BEMSCA Manager said “As Jamaica faces this unimaginable hardship, we remember how Caribbean communities once stood shoulder to shoulder with Britain during its times of struggle. Today, we in the UK have the chance to return that kindness and compassion. Together, we can help rebuild lives and restore hope.”
How to Help: Monetary donations can be made directly to the official Jamaican government relief fund at: https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/donate
Community Appeal and Donations
The appeal is calling for donations of the following essential items: Canned food, rice, flour, dry beans, pasta, oats, cooking oil, personal hygiene items, and baby food. All items will be shipped directly to Jamaica, where the Government of Jamaica has generously waived all import duties on humanitarian aid.
Drop-off Point for Relief Items:
Fairfield House, Via Partis Way, 2 Kelston Road, Bath, BA1 3QJ
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm
For further information, please contact the BEMSCA Office: Tel: 01225 464165 email admin@bemsca.org.uk
Fairfield House is used by people of all heritage backgrounds but has a strong link to those from the Carribean, Etheopia, Africa and Asia – although everyone is welcome. In their publicity BEMSCA say: “The heartbeat of Fairfield House, Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association (Bemsca) offers a day-centre service for the local elderly of Bath. Bemsca promotes active ageing, volunteering, creative activities such as needlework and dance and provides culturally appropriate food and entertainment.” And in a statement the organisers said: “In the spirit of solidarity and remembrance, BEMSCA and Fairfield House remind us of the deep historic ties between Jamaica, the wider Caribbean, and the UK.”
If you would like to donate items you can also visit Fairfield House as it opens to visitors most Sundays – it features the former residence of Haile Selassie and a museum and it also holds regular events including music, talks and table tennis. For details visit https://www.fairfieldhousebath.co.uk/
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
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