Residents have reacted after a banner thanking immigrants for their work in the NHS and care sector was displayed outside a home in Reading.
The banner, hung on the door of a house along a busy bus route, read: “Thank you to all the immigrants working in our Health Services and our care homes. We are very glad you came to Britain.”
A photograph of the sign was later shared on a social media page with hundreds of thousands of followers, attracting hundreds of comments from people praising the message.
One commenter said the banner had helped lift their spirits amid growing tensions around immigration debates online and in society.
They wrote: “I’m genuinely happy when people recognise and appreciate our effort, hard work, and the contributions we make.
“To be honest, over the past few months I’ve been feeling disheartened by the growing division in society, the unwelcoming attitudes towards immigrants, and posts suggesting that we are a burden rather than a contribution to the UK.
“But seeing a message like this… it truly meant a lot. It reminded me that there are still people who understand, who see, and who value what we do.”
Another person commented that staff at their father’s care home all came from ethnic minority and immigrant backgrounds.
They wrote: “ “My dad is a care home and 100% of the staff from management, care workers to security are all from ethnic backgrounds- mix of 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants! Amazing people!”
The banner appeared just weeks after a branch of Lush in Reading displayed anti-racism messages in its shop windows.
One sign read: “Migrants are blamed to distract you, don’t fall for it.”
Another said: “Landlords raise your rent. Politicians underfund the NHS. Billionaires make you poorer.”
