Miss S story
Thirty-three year-old Miss S and her two children fled from Zimbabwe to the UK. She left because of increasing tensions there; growing violence, political hostility and the high level of human rights violations which left her with no choice but to leave. Miss S says “I really didn’t want to leave Zimbabwe . . . . . . . .no one would like to leave his or her home but at the same time it was impossible to stay. Because of my situation there I really feared for my own life and the future of my children”.
We helped Miss S to lodge an asylum application in the UK and three months later she and her children were granted refugee status. She was then referred to the Refugee Integration Service where we helped her to find a local council flat to accommodate her and the children. We helped with an application for a Community Care Grant to buy basic furniture and electrical appliances and helped apply for and secure a supply of gas and electricity into her flat. Advice and assistance was also given to enable her to apply for child benefit, child tax credit and housing benefits.
We supported her interest in making a better life here in this country, providing help to find a university course and supporting her to make all relevant UCAS and grant applications. She is now an undergraduate studying Social Work at Warwick University. Miss S is also putting her experiences to good use by volunteering at the Centre to assist other vulnerable people who need support.
She says "I'm touched and honoured by the range and depth of support given to me by the Centre, especially the Integration team" and particularly 'Dimple' (her Case Worker) for her "great contribution to me and my family”.