My journey with RETAS began as a client on their 28-day project, then as a volunteer, and now I am fortunate enough to be employed by this amazing organisation. My experiences at RETAS have had a profound impact on my life. They have helped me to settle in the UK, graduate from university, integrate into the community, and familiarise myself with the British culture and working environment. RETAS has not only had an impact on me, but it has also given me the opportunity to make a difference in other people's lives.

As an advisor at RETAS, I had the privilege of working with a family who had arrived in the UK seeking asylum. They had four children and two parents, and their arrival at RETAS marked the beginning of a journey towards securing fundamental human rights. My first task was to ensure that they had a secure home for themselves and their children. However, the language barrier made it challenging to communicate with them effectively. Once we were able to get past this hurdle with the help of an interpreter, I discovered that they were no longer receiving any financial support. Together, we worked on adding them to the system and applying for Universal Credit to help them receive financial assistance.

The biggest challenge we faced was finding them a home in the midst of the ongoing housing crisis. We contacted the Council and private housing agents, but it was proving to be difficult. Despite the challenges, we persevered and eventually, after many phone calls and emails, we succeeded! However, later the family informed me that they wanted to move to London. I advised them on the importance of having a planned move to ensure they don't end up homeless. Unplanned moves resulting in homelessness are common among the refugee and asylum community.
The whole process took three months and even though they moved outside West Yorkshire I didn’t want them to feel abandoned and so outside of my working hours, I continued to work with them. I obtained information on several organisations that could help them settle in London and since they moved, we have remained in contact. The family is now settled and their children are enrolled in schools. They were extremely grateful for the support provided, and seeing photos of them enjoying their new life gave me a great sense of achievement in helping them restart their life.

RETAS has not only changed my life, but it has also given me the opportunity to help others. My experiences with RETAS in different positions have made me realise that "once you drink from the Nile, you are destined to return." RETAS has become a second home for me, and I am proud to be part of an organization that provides essential support to asylum seekers and refugees.