Justice First


	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. Now, with his case re-opened, Josiah is assisting the charity which has 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.

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.

Now, with his case re-opened, Josiah is assisting the charity which has 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.