Future interpreter
From Nothing to A New Life.
How community, care and cake made all the difference.
When I arrived in the UK, I had nothing – not even a phone. I knew no one, and it was tough. But Housing Plus helped me change that.
They helped me register with doctors, get mental health support, and look to find my family through the Red Cross. They got me a solicitor, and my asylum paperwork was sorted fast. They also found me an advocate.
Beyond the essentials, they helped me enrol in college, join a volleyball club, and even get a bike through The Bike Project. I went to the zoo with them (loved the penguins!) and connected with my Kurdish community at events like Newroz at the Kurdish Community Centre in Finsbury Park.
When I finally had my long-awaited ankle surgery, they were there every step – driving me to the hospital at 7am, advocating for me when it looked like the surgery might be postponed, and helped with my recovery. They even made sure I had a shower chair and a pain management plan.
I have learned so much through workshops and key work sessions and discovered a passion for interpreting. Housing Plus took me to open days at SOAS, LMU, and UCL where I could study to become an interpreter. SOAS has inspired me – I know that’s where I belong.
On my 18th birthday, staff made me an UNO cake! Now, as I prepare to move on, I feel ready. Thanks to Housing Plus, I’m confident I’ll achieve my dream of becoming an interpreter.
