(The actual name of the individual has been changed for confidentiality reasons).
Upon arriving at the accommodation, Kim was very depressed and distraught after the trauma she faced with the domestic abuse she was experiencing from her partner. Our housing support staff reassured Kim that she would be in safe hands, and she would be provided shelter as well as emotional support and support in other aspects so that she can slowly get back on her feet again and become more independent.
We firstly booked counselling sessions for Kim with an organisation called Al-Aafiya Mental Health and Wellbeing services CIC. The councillor from the organisation supported Kim a lot by reassuring her that she was in a better place now, and providing her with tips on how she can improve her
mental health as she was in a bad state, being depressed and anxious.
Kim was also financially unstable, so she had no money upon arriving to the accommodation. We provided Kim with food parcels which she would be able to use for the next few weeks until she was receiving some source of income. Because Kim was financially unstable and did not work, support staff assisted Kim with applying for universal credit. Kim’s support staff made her account and went through several questions and finally, submitted her claim.
The support staff explained the procedure to Kim, that she would need to attend appointments at the job centre, complete the to do list on her journal and accept her commitments on time. Kim was able to do this and made sure she completed all her tasks on time. Kim also had citizenship issues with her immigration status, so we referred Kim to a solicitor from the legal company-Optimus Law.
Kim was able to apply for her 3 month leave to remain BRP card through the help from the solicitor. Kim received her card in the next few weeks, and was able to use this as a form of ID. Also, Kim also received her visa, which she is very pleased about. Kim was also receiving support from a Medaille trust officer, who helped Kim by engaging her with community events such as a women pamper day, educational trips etc. Kim has developed quite a lot since she first arrived at our supported accommodation. Kim has now become a much stronger and independent woman, who is able to do many things herself and has learnt a lot from support staff while residing here.
Kim has grown to be a much bubblier and more caring individual and she is also proud of what she has gone through and the journey she has taken to get back on her feet in life and beat her struggles.
