Working with people in the Tees Valley who are seeking asylum
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Case Studies
Josiah’s Story (not his real name)
Josiah fled Guinea in January 2004 after being tortured by the authorities. On arrival in Britain he was dispersed to Blackburn. He was refused asylum and his subsequent appeal was dismissed. At this point all material support from the National Asylum Support Service was terminated and he was evicted from his home. Josiah made his way to Stockton-on-Tees, the home of the only friend he had in the UK. His friend directed him to a voluntary sector support organisation where he was given the following help:
He was put in touch with a church organisation which provided free accommodation. He was also introduced to a local charity which provided material help on a weekly basis. He was assisted, by a case worker, to prepare a summary of his circumstances. This was sent to a local solicitor and resulted in the case being re-opened. The case worker arranged for Josiah to see a GP who specialises in medico-legal reports . A report was prepared and presented in evidence, since the abuse Josiah suffered has left him in constant pain and in need of surgery.
Josiah was later able to assist the charity which had helped him by working as a part time volunteer in one of its charity shops.
Rachel’s Story (not her real name)
Rachel suffered serious abuse in Rwanda before escaping to the UK in 2003. She was already experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the rejection of her asylum appeal prompted a desperate response. Fearful of forcible repatriation to the dangers of Rwanda, she fled to London severing all connection with her friends in the Tees Valley.
Eventually Rachel was traced through church contacts and returned to Middlesbrough. Here she was seen by an experienced adviser who made an appointment with a new solicitor and also referred her to a trauma counsellor.
The solicitor made a fresh application for asylum, as a result of which Rachel’s support from the State was reinstated.
Currently, as her new application goes forward, Rachel is training as an unpaid volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau. This has greatly improved her self-confidence as has her enrolment in weekly art therapy classes in the Tees Valley.
Amir’s Story (not his real name)
Having fled conscription by the Taliban in 2003, Amir has exhausted all legal avenues for seeking Asylum and now is destitute.
When Amir first came to Justice First his distress was palpable. As a deserter, Amir fears for his life if forced to return to Afghanistan. He accepts destitution as the only option left to him. Justice First offers Amir vital Trauma Therapy. Under the care of Alan Brice of the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, Amir is learning to manage flashbacks that threaten to overwhelm him.
Justice First provides welfare support -5£ a week and a bag of food. Amir finds his position of need deeply humiliating. Justice First has helped meet the cost of tracing his fiancé who he feared was dead. In 2008 the Red Cross finally brought Amir the good news that she was alive. Whilst this positive outcome has relieved Amir of some of his darkest fears, he is tormented by his inability to help her.
Justice first continues to explore every avenue to ensure a humanitarian outcome for this gentle young man, whose only wrong was to avoid being forced to harm others.
Grace’s Story (not her real name)
When Grace was forced to flee Sudan, her one desire was that she would be able to keep her young family safe.
Grace’s cycle of depression and isolation, symptoms common to many Asylum seekers, was recognised by her Health visitor and she was put in touch with Justice first.
Justice First has now become Grace’s mainstay for both legal advice and emotional support in the roller coaster ride that is the Asylum Application process. She became a Justice First volunteer. Using her considerable skills in their busy office, Grace blossomed, regaining both her self-confidence and a sense of progression in a life held in limbo by the grip of a slow-grinding legal process.
Justice First also gave practical help by recommending a solicitor when the Home Office won its challenge to a successful Appeal. Justice First paid for translation work on documentation to support a fresh claim, worked carried out by the North East Refugee Service, an agency with which Justice First works closely.
With friendship, respect and the practical support of staff, volunteers and clients, Justice First has helped restore Grace’s self esteem.
With renewed confidence Grace’s family lie has greatly improved. Her one desire now is for a positive legal outcome, so that “My children can have a safer life than the one I had”