Volunteers Week 2021 – George

We round up our Volunteer Week celebrations by hearing from George, who has been doing vital work at HMSC as a triage volunteer. Below he explains his motivations for volunteering and the impact of the experience:

• • •

Volunteers Week 2021 – Catherine

First up, we hear from Catherine,
who has been doing a fantastic job as a triage volunteer at HMSC since we
started operating our remote advice-line, in March 2021. Below she explains how
rewarding the experience has been:

• • •

Introducing Volunteers Week at HMSC

Prior to the pandemic, HMSC ran a drop-in, where visitors could have a hot meal, socialise and receive advice on immigration, health and welfare. This was chiefly possible due to volunteers, committing their time and skills to ensure the success of the drop-in.

• • •

Adowa*’s story

Adowa came to the UK from Ghana a few years ago to join her
husband. Things did now work out, and they divorced. He returned to Ghana, and
Adowa had to struggle to survive on her own. At her church, Adowa met a woman
who asked her to clean her house. Then she said Adowa could stay there in a
small room. 

• • •

Yaa’s story

Yaa* didn’t know anyone when she first arrived in the UK. When she became pregnant, she had nowhere to go. She met a woman who let her stay with her, but after a couple of months she was asked to move on. Yaa found a single room to rent, and the father of her baby provided some financial support initially, but once the baby was born, he left her to cope on her own.

• • •

Ella’s story

Ella* was a teenager when she moved from Ghana to the UK. She came here with her mum and siblings to join her dad who had moved here some years previously. Once here, she studied at college and was working too. However, when Ella’s visa expired, it meant she couldn’t study or work anymore.

• • •

Pearl’s story

Pearl* came to London from Nigeria over a decade ago to stay with her aunt. When her visa expired, she tried to renew it, but it was refused. Pearl had a daughter and later tried to register her as a British citizen, but this was refused too. When Pearl’s mum became seriously ill in Nigeria, Pearl was unable to visit her.

• • •