Mohammed was an IT specialist and teacher in his country of origin but was forced to seek asylum in the UK. He lived in an asylum hotel with his wife and young daughter for six months, where taking part in activities and teaching in classes run by the Refugee Council helped him regain his confidence.

When we arrived, we didn’t know how to send our child to school, how to get legal help, or any sort of information. Amelia and Katie from the Refugee Council really helped us.

The positive activities, like the conversation club, really helped my mental situation and my stress. I was a teacher in my country. [At the conversation club], we used to teach people of all ages, from 15 or 16 years to people in their 50s, all age groups.

This is important to make people a part of society. They should not feel segregated, they must feel a part of everyday life.

Isabel fled civil war in Uganda. She comes to our Destitution Service on Fridays.

I called the Refugee Council on the phone, they explained how to get here, which buses to take. The people here are very nice, they’re very supportive. They smile, they are very lovely.

I feel like I’m home! The environment and atmosphere is very good. The office workers and kitchen workers are friendly. The advice they give is very useful. They attend to people one to one... This is a place where they welcome newcomers with an open door. I enjoy the food they normally provide for us, the tea, everything. I was welcomed. In some other places, instead, they are not welcoming.