For many refugees, trying to find safety, a place to live and community in the UK is not easy.
Miguel* reflects on the challenges faced by those fleeing war and persecution. Refugees come to the UK, hoping to rebuild their lives. Instead, they face the tough reality of the UK asylum system and the challenge of finding a safe, stable home.
When you have a young family, those challenges can become impossible to overcome.
The UK Asylum System
Back home, I was a businessman and my wife was a doctor. We arrived in the UK in 2018 with our two children. We had fled my country in South America. I was receiving death threats and the government there doesn’t have a way to protect people.
Six years later, we are still stuck in the asylum process. We haven’t been allowed to work. And we don’t have anywhere stable to call home.
The house they gave us was not habitable. There were broken windows, there was glass on the floor
Problems with Housing
When we first arrived, we stayed with a relative but all four of us were in one room.
I’d never asked for support in my country, and I didn’t even know support was available here. But eventually, we were forced to ask for financial and housing support from the UK government.
The house they gave us was not habitable. There were broken windows, there was glass on the floor, there was garbage all over the place, there was rotten food. There weren’t even any beds.
At the time my daughter was unwell and the bathroom had mould. I felt we had to refuse this house because I didn’t want to put my family’s health at risk.
We ended up staying with relatives for several years but eventually they couldn’t help anymore. We were moved into a government hotel. It doesn’t feel safe and I worry for my wife and children.
When you have a young family, the challenges of finding a safe home can become impossible
The Emotional Toll
I have struggled a lot with anxiety and stress. Although I’m coping better now, things are still hard. My wife also struggled with depression for the first three years we were in the UK. She’s getting better but the long wait for our asylum claim decision makes things really difficult.
Support
The Refugee Council has supported us a lot. They helped us with money and helped us to buy school uniforms for the children. We only have £8 a week to live on, so they’ve also helped with treats for the children, like the occasional ice cream.
They helped us access food banks and have given us a lot of advice and assistance. It helps enormously to know that there’s someone who cares.
Britain is a great nation with strong values and great opportunities. We want to give back to this country – my wife as a doctor and myself as an entrepreneur. I try to stay hopeful about the future. ■
Like Miguel, many refugees find it challenging to find a safe, stable home. We believe that if refugees are given the chance to thrive, they can make our communities richer. Please consider making a donation so we can be there for more people who need our support.
* Miguel’s name has been changed to protect his identity.
