We talk about compassionate alternatives to immigration detention existing, but it’s often not clear what this actually means!. This blog from the King’s Arms Project lifts the lid on their compassionate, community based alternative to detention.
Read More - A Community-Based Alternative to Detention: The Advice Service Read More7 Reasons to Hang Out in Kings Cross
Written by: Rachael Chadwick
Founder and editor of London lifestyle site, Ensemble.
Kings Cross, once known as a place of transience and travellers, has developed into an exciting area full of wonderful spaces and yummy eateries. It is fast becoming one of the trendiest spots in London. Here are 7 reasons to hang out there:
There’s nothing like a cup of caffeine to kick-start the day and Pattern Coffee on Caledonian Road is a firm favourite of ours to grab one from. The indie has quirky décor, quality beverages, tasty sweet or savoury treats and a very chilled atmosphere.
You wiill be spoilt for choice. Enjoy a Campari-fueled ‘Death in Venice’ in the Grain Store, sip a sexy sangria in the courtyard of Camino or treat yourself to a glass of bubbly at the long bar of the Booking Office in the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
Drink Shop Do is a café/bar with a twist. Once you have devoured a slab of Oreo cake with a cuppa, you can take part in array of ‘doing’ activities in the evenings - learn the dance to Beyoncé’s Single Ladies, play musical bingo or take part in some tea towel printing.
Kings Cross doesn’t have a huge range of shops but you might stumble upon a little hidden gem, such as Pop Up 38 charity shop (who are currently having a revamp), which is full of gorgeous clothes and trinkets. All of the money raised by this cute community store goes towards building a school in Afghanistan.
Head north up Kings Boulevard from the station and cross the canal over to Granary Square. Here you will find a beautiful space in front of the Central St Martins building, fit with fountains and plenty of seating areas. And food options are vast – go to one of the surrounding restaurants, sample some of the Kerb street food or you can even take your own picnic to Lewis Cubitt park, just behind the square.
Forget swimming pools and lidos - in Kings Cross you can swim in a pond. Yes, a pond! And while you take a dip in the fresh water (careful, it’s chilly!), you can appreciate the urban view around you. KX is definitely one to watch. Go explore!
It’s Pride Month and people are celebrating up and down the country. But, as this guest blog highlights there’s No Pride in Immigration Detention - whatever month it may be. Get the full scoop from Qussai Ramzi - a member of Rainbow Migration’s campaigns advisory group - on why we need to come together this Pride and call for the end of detention for all LGBTQI+ people.
Read More - No Pride in Detention: End the Detention of LGBTQI+ People Read MoreYou’ve probably heard of Priti Patel’s plan to forcibly send people to Rwanda - you know the one that even Conservative MP’s are calling ‘ugly’ – but with the first flight planned for Tuesday 14th June, we need to do everything we can to stop this going ahead.
Read More - 6 things you can do to stop the Rwanda Plan right now. Read More