EP had been to the Manna Centre the day before I saw her and a few of the staff were concerned that she seemed vulnerable and prioritised her for an Advice appointment.
When I interviewed her, I learned she had arrived in the UK as a single female domestic violence survivor who had fled from her country, (a member of the Commonwealth) to start a new life and seek Asylum here. She had several items of luggage, including a large and very heavy suitcase, I wondered how she managed it with her slight frame. I give credit to the other service users who saw the two of us struggling with her baggage in and out of the office and offered to help or obliged if I asked them to do so.
EP advised me that as her country was part of the commonwealth she was entitled to be here for six months. She stated that when she initially sought help, she was advised by an official that she had too much money to qualify for assistance and she should return when her funds were depleted. She stayed in hostels briefly and shortly after commencing her asylum claim, her handbag containing her ID and phone was stolen. She was now street homeless, had no money and her status here had not been determined.
I managed to get her a mobile phone from one of Manna’s homeless packs, buy her a Sim card and £10 Credit and purchased an Oyster card which I also topped up. In the office she managed to contact Migrant Help who had been helping her with her asylum application but were unable to continue because they were unable to contact her, now they had a new number for her. Additionally, I instituted her “mail permission” status so she could now use Manna’s address for correspondence for the next six months. Whilst in the Centre she was also able to have a hot meal and have her phone and laptop charged. I also contacted a shelter where she could sleep for three nights and made a referral to another one for a longer-term shelter placement.
She returned the next week, I made another referral for her, and she was really grateful for the phone and Oyster card and happy to have slept in comfortable surroundings. She confessed to having slept rough at least once in the UK. As her asylum claim was ongoing, I could not support her to apply for Universal Credit. She called Migrant Help again and was signposted to legal services. I applied to another night shelter, because she can use that service without being in receipt of benefits. Once finished she took a shower and had a meal, looking more relaxed than she had previously been.