Mohammed arrived in Scotland in 2007 to claim asylum due to issues in his native Sudan. After 3years of waiting, his asylum claim was refused by the Home Office and several appeals later, he was evicted from his accommodation and became homeless. People seeking asylum in the UK are not permitted to work so when they lose the financial support provided by the Home Office, they have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and end up destitute. This was the case with Mohammed. He lived rough for over 2yrs, with occasional sofa surfing. Mohammed was referred to Refugee Sanctuary Scotland, and we provided him with a home, financial support, a bus pass and access to legal support. In Mohammed’s own words,
‘more than that, Refugee Sanctuary Scotland gave me hope and some self respect.’ He continues, ‘Refugee Sanctuary Scotland changed my life for the better by 100%. I was able to cook my own food, form lasting relationships, start volunteering and I began to feel like I mattered again. I began to feel secure as I knew my accommodation would not be snatched away, it was a fresh start for me and I was able to rebuild my mental strength’.
During the time that Mohammed was with us, we supported him to find a new solicitor and he has now submitted a fresh claim for asylum. Mohammed said,’ without Refugee Sanctuary Scotland, I don’t know where I would be now’
