20th Anniversary Story Collection

“I arrived in the UK in 2009. I’m from Nigeria. I found out about WERS through Iqbal the Education Welfare contact at Newcastle City Council. I have been a client of WERS since 2013, when I was matched with my first befriender Sarah.

I came to WERS with my second befriender Liz, who was also a support worker there. I went to the clothing store - she had invited me to come to see collect some things from there.

WERS has helped me with befriending. Sarah was the befriender I had for the longest time. She helped me a lot to be shown around Newcastle. She wanted me to feel well, feel loved and feel welcomed. She wasn’t from Newcastle, but she was studying and living here, so it was easy for her to show me around and she helped me around my health too. She encouraged me to go out walking with her, to help improve my health.

I have still got a befriender, Kate. She is as lovely as the first!”

“I arrived in the UK in November 1999 from Iran. I first found out about WERS in November 2014 from NERS (North of England Refugee Service), who referred me for hardship payments and clothes.  I also had friends who recommended to me WERS.

When I first came to WERS I was very depressed, stressed and worried about my situation here.  People were lovely and friendly.  I don’t have enough words to express how it makes me feel.  Thank you is not enough! Coming to WERS has helped me to feel better about myself. Being amongst people, being able to talk and feel relaxed has helped a lot. Just being able to sit and watch people helping each other makes me feel happy, less isolated and more a part of life.

I am a shy person but coming here makes me happy, as people will talk to me and help me and others.  I have seen that WERS has helped people to grow and be able to go out there and cope on their own.  I am not there yet but hope to be in the future.”

“I’m from Cameroon and arrived in the UK in 2013. But I’ve been an asylum seeker for 2 years now. I know WERS through Mr Iqbal who works for the city council.  He showed me where WERS was located and how they can help me.

I think I first went to WERS in November or December 2017. But I used their services later in December 2018. WERS has helped me with the befriended scheme. Through it I made an incredible friend named Emma. Through her I know more about British culture and I discover new places.

WERS also helped me to find volunteering jobs which are helping me to improve my confidence and my skills. WERS has made a big change in my life, I feel more confident about making new friends, I feel useful and appreciated”.

“I arrived in the UK in August 2001 from Saudi Arabia. I am Eritrean. I was only in Newcastle for 2 days when I was told to come to WERS by a volunteer at the church I visited. Faisal, a client at WERS, brought me and my sister to meet everyone. My first visit to WERS I began to cry, because people were being so helpful and friendly to us refugees. We were given drinks and biscuits and were able to get lots of items that we needed for our home - plates and cups and lovely clothes. I was so happy! WERS helped us so much. We got help with food and clothing. This was so useful when the Home Office had given us vouchers. We didn’t get any change if the whole value of the voucher was not spent. This made life very difficult. 

WERS helped support my sister when she was unwell with home visits and lots of emotional support. WERS helped me when I got status in 2002 and referred me to Welfare Rights. I have also had help from National Energy Action to navigate utility companies to get the best deal. It was great to be able to share the news of my Indefinite Leave to Remain in 2006 and I am proud to say I am a British Citizen since 2009. WERS means so much to me. I have made some very good friends here at WERS and we still are very close.”

“I arrived in the UK in September 2006 from Sierra Leone. I first found out about WERS from a friend who was also an asylum seeker and she brought me here in August 2011. When I first came to WERS it was a great opportunity for me. I was so grateful to have been brought to this place as I had no decent clothes. I was able to choose some lovely things from the clothing store.

I was very happy that day I registered with WERS. They also had food and I was able to take some of that too. I volunteered in the clothing store for a while, it made me feel very happy to help out in the place that had helped me. WERS to me is my family home when anything happens to me or I need help that is where I go first. The people at WERS are like my parents and they help look after and care about me, especially my support worker. She has worked and tried hard to help me to succeed. I haven’t yet got there yet but I know WERS are there for me and help me to stay positive and strive for a good outcome. 

The WERS team have helped me to access advice from solicitors and always update me on any changes and new programmes that are available. WERS has made me have more confidence in myself and being able to speak out. I have at times lost my faith and been very down and the staff at WERS have picked me up and spoke to me and reinstated my faith and positivity – they don’t give up so I won’t give up!”

“I arrived in the UK in January 2004 from Iraq. I was referred to WERS by NERS (North of England Refugee Service) in December 2005 for hardship payments. When I first came to WERS it was a long time ago so I don’t remember very clearly my first visit. I do remember feeling that the people there were very kind and helpful.

Over the many years WERS has helped me too much! I will never forget all the kindness, support and advice you have given me! I really enjoyed my time working as a volunteer for around 4 years in the clothing store; it made me feel good to be helping those who helped me. My favourite memories are my two visits with WERS staff to Minsteracres. The first visit was a day trip the second visit was a weekend trip. This visit was wonderful it made me feel so relaxed something that I have not had for many years. 

My enjoyment was everything we did, the scenery, gardening, hugging trees, making things sharing food having a very good time! All of the people there were very nice. It’s a big help to me many friends, too much help I don’t know what I would have done without you all.  It has made me feel supported and I know whenever I need help where to go.”

“I first heard about WERS from a friend at the Comfrey Project. She told me to go along to WERS for help and advice. I was referred to WERS by NERS in February 2008. I had a refusal from the Home Office. WERS supported me until I had my appeal accepted in June 2008. What I remember about my first visit to WERS is the amount of people in the place. Many, many people, it was loud and very busy! My friend came and interpreted for me. The support workers were friendly and very helpful. It made me feel better.

WERS has given me lots of help. I had another refusal in 2013 and WERS supported me during this difficult time. I have had food, toiletries, clothing from the store, which has been a big help to me. I have found it difficult at times to understand some of the paperwork and letters I receive. The support workers have helped to explain what the letters mean and link me with appropriate services to assist me when I am in need. I have helped WERS with my friend.  We have helped do some gardening and very much enjoyed helping to paint inside the building to make it look nice for everyone to use.

I am happy for WERS to let me know whenever they need help I would be willing to give a hand. WERS has made me feel happy because without them I do not know what I would have done. I would have nothing and I would not know where to go. Because of WERS I have many friends from all over the world.  This makes my life better! I have been on two day trips to Minsteracres with WERS. This was amazing and made me feel like I was on holiday. Having a day like this is so good for the mind. It stops you thinking constantly about your asylum claim, and frees your mind to be relaxed and enjoy something for yourself, not just for me but for everyone who was there.

I would like to thank all the people who work at WERS for everything they do for us all, especially my support workers for still being there. It is good to have a familiar face that welcomes you. It makes you feel more secure. WERS to me is now my family. It is a special place where I feel relaxed. This is because everyone, no matter what language or place you are from, you are made welcome. “

“I arrived in the UK in September 2003 from the Congo. NERS (North of England Refugee Service) referred me to WERS for hardship payments when I received a refusal of my case, in March 2005. On my first visit to WERS I was so pleased to see lots of my friends there. I met my support worker who spoke my first language, Lingala. That was so lovely to speak my language again. It was a very good feeling being at WERS. It made me feel so happy. I got support money, food, toiletries good clothes and kind words.

I received my Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2010 and amazingly WERS supported me for all that time. I used to come to WERS every week for my money and food parcel. This helped me to survive a very difficult time. The food parcel was great. We used to get semolina, a stable favourite in my country. My life was saved by WERS. They helped me get a solicitor and I gained my ILR. I shared this happy news with my new family at WERS. Everyone was so happy with me. WERS is our place!

WERS is a sanctuary to me, I know I can go there and I would get help no matter what. It is a safe and familiar place to go. The regular contact I had was so important to me it kept me going. I am so happy to say that I have my own business right next door to WERS running a barber shop I was so pleased to be able to work with my family so close to me!”

“I arrived in the UK in May 2003 from Iran. First visit to WERS was in 2004 when I received my first refusal. I was referred by NERS (North of England Refugee Service) for hardship payments. I was very happy to come to WERS.

It is a very good place. I got money, food, friendship. I have made lots more friends around WERS too. I was given a gym membership card, it was all very good. WERS has helped me a lot. I have had hardship payments, toiletries, lots of clothes from the store. I have a friend who is a tailor and if the clothes I take are a bit too big, he alters them for me. I have some lovely clothes from here. I also have been referred to Red Cross for help and support to put in my Fresh claim at Liverpool. My support workers have helped me to get counselling which has been a big help to me.

I only have one place to go I feel and that’s WERS. They always help me. I always go there first for everything. WERS is more than just family to me it is everything!”

“I arrived in the UK from Eritrea in 2006 and came to Newcastle in 2007. I was living with my friend at that time. She told me “I will show you the Refugee Service”. I can’t remember the first time I went there but they helped me with money and food and clothes because I didn’t have anything.

They have helped me with my house and with social services. They have helped me with lots, lots of things including, now, benefits and Universal Credit. They found me Ann, my lovely friend. She comes to my house and helps me and my stress is gone. My life is changed. The Refugee Service is like my family, my friend. When I go there they hug me and say “Hello Muna, how are you?” and I feel happy. They make everybody happy.”

“I arrived in the UK in July 2005 from Nigeria. I first heard about WERS from NERS. They sent me to meet with the support worker. I explained to him my situation and he referred me back to NERS for further immigration advice. They then referred me to WERS for hardship support as I had a refusal from the Home Office. I was feeling very disappointed when I came to WERS for the first time because of the refusal from the Home Office.

After my visit I felt so happy. My support worker had given me good advice and direction.  I felt I had somewhere that was going to help me and not leave me lost and alone. I have had hardship support from WERS since January 2016. This has helped me so much. I receive toiletries, am able to choose clothes and food from the store. I really enjoy being able to call into WERS in a morning and make myself a cuppa. Being able to get free clothing and food enables me to save some of the cash support so I can report in Middlesbrough, as the Home Office do not give us transport costs to do this.

WERS has helped me to remain responsible, keep my dignity and independence! I am able to dress in smart suits from the store when I attend church or group meetings. I don’t have to beg and ask others for bus fare to Middlesbrough.  Without WERS I would have lost these things which are so important to me. WERS is my home where I feel comfortable and relaxed.”

“I arrived in the UK in November 2004 from Burundi and claimed asylum at the airport. This was an extremely stressful and a long process! I was in a centre for asylum seekers in London for one week and then I was dispersed to Angel Heights in Newcastle, which was accommodation for single women for one year. 

One of the residents where I stayed told me about a charity – WERS - and I went and got some clothes from their store. WERS made me feel so welcome and I really liked what they were doing. I came back and asked to volunteer. I have now volunteered on and off for WERS for 14 years which I still really enjoy doing. My experience of being in the UK would have been so very difficult without WERS. I feel I had the whole team by my side fighting with me to get my leave to stay in the UK.

WERS has provided counselling, a weekend break at a Friary with the counsellor and support worker from WERS, where I was able to relax. I still have very fond memories of the experience, I will never forget it!  WERS more recently referred me to Wise Steps and this has aided me to develop my skills and become more confident in my abilities! Thank you for WERS you have given me my life back!”

“I arrived in the UK in October 2008 from Zimbabwe. I was referred by NERS (North of England Refugee Service) in August 2011 for hardship support.When I first went to WERS I was relieved to see the setting was not another office! The atmosphere was friendly and accommodating. WERS has helped me a lot with hardship payments, food, clothing, a referral to Red Cross to help me get transport for a Home Office interview. I have volunteered at WERS helping in the clothing store and also with some admin tasks.

Being a part of WERS helps you to feel integrated and part of the society you are living in not just the asylum process. It is also work experience which is always useful to have. I feel part of a community, it’s like family. It is good to have familiarity when I come to WERS and see my support workers’ faces. It makes me feel a part of something and not just an asylum seeker. Familiarity is rare when claiming asylum, there is so much that is unknown.”

“I arrived in the UK in August 2010 from India. A friend told me and brought me to WERS to see a support worker. I needed help with my accommodation and WERS helped me get these problems resolved.

I was pregnant at the time. This was in 2016. My first visit to WERS was so helpful you can't imagine! I received a baby pack and was able to choose some lovely baby clothes, pushchair and clothes for myself. WERS referred me to Red Cross for £30.00 which was to buy some new baby goods for which I was most grateful. I have had so much support from WERS.

I feel lucky to have been part of the Bititi project for the last two years. A support worker from WERS comes to visit us every two weeks. She told us Bititi is a Swahili word meaning 'strong woman'. We like this! I feel this has helped my mental health, the Support Work Manager’s positivity, actions and suggestions have been so helpful to me. She has helped me to go on. As part of the Bititi project, we have had clothes from the clothing store, nappies, toiletries, toys and sanitary towels; this has helped us a lot, as we only get a small allowance.

Some of the women have had befrienders too and this has helped them. It's good to have friends from this country. I feel the project has been good for the children too. We had a music session, where we all sang and played instruments. We had a great time together and the children loved it. I have also had help with child development advice, when my daughter was a baby I was worried she was not sitting up on her own. The Support Work Manager helped me with this and contacted my GP surgery to link me in with a health visitor and nursery nurse who then gave extra support and advice. I was so grateful as this was my first child and I felt unsure and wanted to do things properly.

I have had lots of help to contact Migrant Help when issues in my accommodation or with my support have arisen. I am hopeful recent issues will be resolved soon, The Support Work Manager is helping me with this and I feel positive with WERS being there for me. WERS has been good in helping to resolve house disputes which have occurred and has been fair to everyone, giving kind advice.

I feel WERS has been too much helpful, I was alone no friends, they have guided me too much, it is so great - it's hard to find the words to describe it. When I meet with my support worker she is positive and helpful. She makes me forget my depression and makes me feel hopeful”.

“I arrived in the UK in September 2001 from Israel. My first visit to WERS was in November 2009.  I heard about WERS from NERS (North of England Refugee Service). I was referred so I could receive hardship payments. I have been involved with WERS so long it is hard to remember exactly my first visit. 

When I first came to WERS it was a very helpful experience. I did not know much English and I was able to take many books which helped me to learn.  Coming to WERS was a good experience as everyone was very friendly and helpful. It is hard to remember everything, what I do know is that I am very grateful to everyone I have been involved with at WERS. WERS has helped me with many things, the first being items from the clothing store which helped me to furnish the sparse accommodation I was given. WERS helped my family when my mother passed away, this was a very difficult time and this helped us out a lot.

I was referred to Advocacy Centre North by WERS who helped me with issues connected with my fathers’ access to statutory services. I am part of the WERS skillsmatch programme and love the voluntary opportunities this has opened up for me. I have particularly enjoyed the yearly plant festival in Haltwhistle where I have helped out on the stalls and in the café.

I have great memories of my trips to Minsteracres - two were day trips and one was a weekend stay over.  We enjoyed many activities together and volunteered to do work in the gardens there which I found particularly beautiful. 

The experiences I really enjoyed were my first taste of Reiki and the yoga session was great too. The people at Minsteracres were so lovely!  I also had a beautiful room to stay in which had a bookshelf full of books which I had read in Russian as a child. It evoked some wonderful memories for me.

I have also enjoyed being given the opportunity to be part of the Curious Monkey theatre group and being able to attend Jazz events via the free tickets given out at WERS on behalf of Jazz North East. Without WERS I would be on the street, as I was referred to Action Foundation who have supported me with accommodation.”

“I arrived in the UK in January 2000 from Algeria. Other asylum seekers I met told me about WERS and brought me here to get help that was in 2016. When I first arrived at WERS I had to wait a little bit to be seen but it was good, everyone was very friendly and helpful. I get hardship support and clothes from WERS, I have also had food from here. 

I really enjoy being able to make a coffee and have social interaction with others who are at WERS whether that is staff, volunteers other clients or visitors. I have a befriender through WERS and have enjoyed many trips out and about sharing stories over lunch and generally having a lovely time. I was referred to Action Foundation for accommodation support which has been very useful in making me feel safe. WERS has helped me to carry on and keep going through very tough times!”