Residents have come together to call for free internet access for people living in temporary accommodation.
Last week Members of the Lewisham and Greenwich Citizens (LGC) group and Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN) presented Councillor, Will Cooper, with an open letter calling on Lewisham council to ensure those in the most precarious housing situations have access to online services.
In February, Greenwich council partnered with the charity – Good Things Foundation – to provide 7,200 free SIM cards for low-income residents in the borough. LGC and LRMN are now calling on Lewisham council to do the same.
Internet access allows residents to stay in contact with their families, pay their bills, and access vital services from the council.
A spokeswoman for the LGC said: “Having access to the internet should be considered a basic need and a human right nowadays.
“Without internet, we are even more isolated and unable to rebuild our lives.”
This comes as Lewisham’s borough of sanctuary status is up for renewal in January 2024.
The council was recognised as a borough of sanctuary in May 2021, for its commitment to welcoming the resettlement of refugees in the area.
As a borough of sanctuary, the council pledged to protect the rights of all migrants, asylum seekers and refugees who resettled in Lewisham.
A spokeswoman from LRMN said: “Now more than ever there is pressure for the council to deliver on its commitments and prove it is doing everything possible to build a sanctuary for its residents.”
Cllr Cooper – Lewisham’s new cabinet member for housing – has promised to consider the proposals and respond in January.
A spokeswoman from Lewisham council said: “We are reviewing the proposals and cllr Cooper is looking forward to further meetings with Lewisham Citizens and LRMN in the New Year to discuss the next steps.”
Pictured top: Members of LGC and LRMN at a meeting last week (Picture: LRMN)
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