Nancy came to the UK as an asylum seeker in 2005, having fled from Kenya as a result of tribal clashes and fears for her general safety and security. The community Nancy was living in was dangerous; on a day-to-day basis her life and that of her family – as well as her home and…
Mohammed and his wife came to the UK to study; with him gaining a specialist Accountancy degree and her undertaking a PhD in Chemistry from Newcastle University, which she recently completed. When the war broke out in Libya in 2014, the situation became too unstable for Mohammed and his family to return to their home…
Yvette was born in Congo in central Africa where she worked as a business woman. She was also very active in promoting women’s rights in her community. She set up a project which aimed to support disadvantaged women to develop their confidence and leadership skills and become financially independent. She explained that in Congo, equality…
After some particularly traumatic circumstances surrounding her migration, and a soul-destroying waiting process before being granted asylum in the UK, what Lucy longed for the most was to find a job and feel useful and independent again. However, the ride has not been as smooth as she had hoped for. In Kenya where she comes…
Coming from a family with agricultural tradition back in Iran, Reza sought involvement with activities that allowed him to be outdoors and care for the land. Maintaining a strong bond with nature helps him stay ‘grounded’ and fills him with a sense of fulfilment; “If we look after the planet then the planet will look…
Early in 2018 a group of enthusiastic and determined young people visited us at the Windmill Hills centre, sharing in one of our weekly lunches. They were members of the North East’s National Citizen Service youth board, wanting to find out about the issues refugees and asylum seekers face on a day-to-day basis. They had chosen…