When Ana* approached Citizen’s Advice, she had just been
granted refugee status after living in the UK as an asylum seeker. Ana had fled
her home country with her four daughters two years previously, when her life
became under threat; like many asylum seekers, Ana and her children were all
suffering from PTSD and other trauma-related conditions.
Her status as an
asylum seeker meant that she was unable to work, access healthcare or permanent
accommodation while she waited for her refugee application to be processed,
meaning she had been living in ‘limbo’ for two years.
Shortly after being meeting with her Better Off Finance Key
Worker, Ana moved into her own social housing, and was massively struggling
with her finances due to being hit by the benefit cap. Her Key Worker set to
work on obtaining the correct benefits for Ana, and also successfully applied
for a series of grants, including the Citizen Support Scheme and Merseyside
Holiday Fund.
Ana’s Key Worker tried to get Ana’s qualification from her
home country transcribed, but as the certificate was incomplete, this proved
impossible; they instead had to look at her doing another course, which cost £1500.
Her Key Worker approached the European Social Fund manager for Liverpool, who
agreed an application of £750 towards the course costs, as well as Ana’s social
landlord, who agreed to pay for the remainder through a funding charity. She
now has a diploma, which allows her to apply for jobs in the UK.
Since taking part in the Better Off Finance programme, Ana’s
mental health has hugely improved. She said:
‘The changes to me and my life have been so great since I
started getting support, it has affected my whole life and my family’s.
‘A year ago, I was depressed, and I felt buried with my
mental health and life circumstances, but today, I’m applying for jobs and
going to interviews. The emotional and psychological improvement is remarkable,
and attending self-confidence and finance management courses has been
absolutely great.
‘No words can show my appreciation for everything my Key
Worker has done for me and my family. I feel more hopeful for the future and I
feel confident with her by my side that my life and the lives of my four girls
will definitely be better’.
About us:
Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support.
This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.
Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:
Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work
• Access employability sessions within the programme
• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity
• Progress into training and education opportunities
• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.
Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.
Better Off Finance is a programme jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative.
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