'HMOs are spaces that encourage community living, preventing isolation' - Your Letters: September 4

I am shocked and disheartened to see the lack of empathy and unkind words people are using to discuss the proposed HMO in Bridgnorth. Firstly, there has been no mention at all of who will be housed there. In the current housing crisis, young professionals are unable to rent, let alone buy, and HMOs are often the only way of having any space at all. As well as this, counter to the unfounded claim that they bring anti-social behaviour, HMOs are spaces that encourage community living, preventing isolation.

But most concerning to me are the comments surrounding the claim that this HMO will house "illegal immigrants". The lack of empathy and dehumanising language in these comments is heartbreaking. Referring to people who have had to flee the most dire conditions via routes too dangerous for many of us here to imagine as "illegals" is unspeakably cruel and dehumanising. It completely goes against the values of kindness, inclusivity, acceptance and community that were instilled in me through my education here in Bridgnorth. The only difference between those of us living here and refugees is sheer geographical luck. All of us are far closer to needing the support of our fellow man than we may realise.

I implore people to look inwards to their own values and kindness, to extend empathy to others rather than being blinded by fear-mongering stories they see online.

E Jameson, Bridgnorth

WOLVES VIEWS ARE MISTAKEN

W F Kerswell is incorrect in his assertion about wolves (letters 2 September). Wolves have not escaped from captivity and eaten sheep in Scotland recently; a wolf at the Highland Wildlife Park was recaptured within an hour of escaping in 2010. What evidence does he or Peter Rhodes, whose views I tend to take with more than a large pinch of salt, about wolves escaping and killing a lot of sheep or being shot by farmers? Wolves tend to eat other prey rather than sheep, unless they are starving. The last wolf was reportedly killed in Scotland in the late 17th century.

Jon Dews, West Midlands

SO GRATEFUL FOR HOSPITAL CARE

I am writing to say a big thank you to all the staff in Clinic 3 at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for all their dedicated, professional care and kindness. They operated on my skin cancer on my forehead. Too many hours of sunbathing in my past. No suncream.

Please use it everyone, especially red heads and anyone with pale skin. I am so grateful to be cured.

Judy Arliss, Copthorne

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