Café Conscious in Barton Hill has changed its decision to reopen into a Jamaican restaurant after the mass evacuation of Barton House on Tuesday this week.
The café has been set up as a “safe haven” for those currently without a home and are asking for donations of supplies.
Denise Dixon, the owner expresses that there have been “more and more volunteers from different communities going out of their way to purchase supplies” for evicted residents.
She adds that the café has put together “sensory packs for children with autism” themselves and that “extra sized diapers are also available”.
Working for Autism Independence, Dixon speaks upon the issue for evicted children with disorders: “I know what it is like to have a child with additional needs and we are completely devastated for the parents and the children.”
The café has received many donations for children including clothing, toys, books and educational equipment.
Dixon expressed her delight in the contributions made for young people and that the volunteers have “contacted autism help groups and all the local schools”.
It has been organised for some children to be given transport from the café to their schools whilst they are evicted.
Stacey Bowen, a receptionist at Barton Hill Academy has informed that “thirteen families” with the school have been affected by the eviction and that “everyone is working together to help one another”.
Doctor Lawrence Hoo, an activist and the owner of CARGO, has been active with donations and has criticised the “lack of intelligence” around the situation and claims that there is no emergency plan for mass rehousing in the local area.
He also spoke about the importance of the café for those who need emotional support saying that it is the “place for those who just need someone to talk to as it can be incredibly lonely and stressful”.
The CARGO owner claims that there have been “multiple complaints” made from residents surrounding Barton House which were not fixed and that residents have been told they would only be evicted for “a few days but there is now suspicion it will be weeks”.
It has been three days since the evacuation took place.
If you’re a Barton House resident in need of support, the We Are Bristol helpline is open 8:30am-9pm. Call 0800 694 0184 for free.
— Bristol City Council (@BristolCouncil) November 16, 2023
In an emergency outside of these hours, call 0117 922 2050.
Alternatively, email barton.house@bristol.gov.uk
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