In the past year, the number of refugees seeking homelessness support has risen by a massive 255%.
Imagine fleeing war and persecution, only to end up homeless during a British winter.
In our recent blog, we spoke with Omar. He fled Saudi Arabia, where he’d faced relentless persecution due to his Eritrean heritage. He spoke to us about arriving in the UK and his harrowing experience of homelessness.
We heard about his struggles, his isolation and the terrifying vulnerability of sleeping on the streets.
In this blog, we speak to Omar about our Destitution Service and how it helped transform his life.
Omar found help and support through the Refugee Council's Destitution Service
I was homeless and sleeping behind a supermarket when I found the Refugee Council. It was the middle of winter and really cold.
When I first spoke to Kellie from the Refugee Council’s destitution service, she immediately gave me a food voucher. She said “nobody should be hungry.”
Suddenly I felt like I wasn’t alone.
Registering with a GP and receiving housing support
The food voucher was just the start. The Refugee Council helped me register with a GP and find a housing solicitor.
I have Type 1 Diabetes and have to keep my insulin in a fridge. With the support of my solicitor, I was able to find a new home, where I could store my insulin properly.
Help with my mental health
The team at the Refugee Council supported me in so many other ways. They helped me get help to improve my mental health, so I could begin to cope with the trauma I’d been through.
I had tried since 2019 to get help with mental health and I was struggling to get therapy through the NHS but with the Refugee Council I was able to get support.
Omar received employment support from the Refugee Council
Help finding a job
I received support with writing my CV. I had several sessions 1 to 1 with Tim from the Employment Advice service. He took me step by step through how to write the CV and cover letter and how to prepare for a job interview.
Other support
We have a weekly online call with Kellie and a group of other refugees in a similar situation to me.
It’s helped me a lot because we talk about our different stories and different challenges. We talk about solutions and Kellie follows up with anything we may need help with.
We share good advice and learn from each other’s experiences. We became friends online. I enjoy listening to other people and helping if I can.
All the support I was given meant I could start building my new life.
I was finally granted asylum. When I got my decision from the court, I was very happy! I spent nearly five years waiting.
Omar has started to rebuild his life
Omar was able to rebuild his life, thanks to the generous donations of our supporters. You can help people like Omar and transform lives today. Please donate to the Refugee Council now.
To respect and protect Omar’s privacy, an actor has been used in these photographs. ■
