Cawo’s story
Cawo was 18 when she arrived in the UK, from Somalia.
Cawo felt an initial wave of safety on arrival in the UK, but it did not last long, as she soon found herself destitute and street homeless.
She was placed in emergency COVID-19 accommodation with older residents and felt incredibly alone. The experience was daunting.
Cawo wanted to access education to improve her English, access legal advice and meet other young people like herself.
She sought support from Young Roots, joined our youth group and young women’s group activities; took part in our online one-to-one English-language mentoring sessions; and engaged with our Casework service.
Working with Young Roots has helped me feel happier and calmer in many ways. Being able to interact with other young people who were in similar situations to myself made me feel less alone.
Cawo says she feels overwhelmed with emotion thinking about how things have changed.
Young Roots’ Caseworkers supported Cawo to move to stable accommodation, and after a long wait, she was granted Leave to Remain in the UK.
She enrolled on an ESOL course and feels much more confident in her language abilities.
Cawo is now working part-time, which she says is one of her greatest achievements as she always wanted to be able to provide for herself financially.
Most importantly, she says, her Caseworker supported her to engage a solicitor to help apply to bring her two young children to the UK:
This time last year, I could not have imagined I would be in the position to financially support the applications.
I feel much more stable and am hopeful that I will be able to reunite with my children.