Client Stories

“I’d like to express my profound gratitude to WTRRP team for the constant support towards my family, most especially at this difficult time in purchase of my daughter school uniform. She is more than happy to start her journey in secondary school and to have all her uniform in place, with the help of the grant provided. I don’t know how I could have coped without the grant. Thank you again and again to the wonderful team WTRRP for all your support and efforts to put a big smile on my children faces.”

Lulu’s post

Lulu is an asylum seeker from Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2021, her Family Support Social Worker referred her to WTRRP, as she had separated from her partner and was struggling to support her four young children (5 years, 3 years and 2-year-old twins). WTRRP provided Lulu with free legal advice and part-funding for a solicitor. As a result, she has now been granted Limited Leave to Remain and can provide a stable base for her children. She has also built up enough self-confidence to take on a part-time job as a care assistant.
Lulu is really grateful for the Food Vouchers that WTRRP gives her. “Thanks to these food vouchers, I can choose a good range of ingredients, so my children eat healthy, colourful meals that they like,” she said. She also uses the vouchers to buy nappies and wipes for the younger children and school items, such as PE plimsolls and stationery, for the eldest. “Really, these vouchers are such a blessing. I can sleep knowing that my children have had a good meal every day and I won’t run out of nappies,” she said.
Name and country of origin has been changed to protect identity

Afa’s* story

Afa first visited the WTRRP drop-in service around two years ago, having been signposted to us by the ‘Doctors of the World’ charity. Originally from Kenya, she had experienced domestic violence and is applying for asylum for her safety. Afa has a one-year-old baby, and three other children who live with their grandmother in Kenya. We’ve been supporting her with advice, friendship, food parcels and washable nappies. She is now helping regularly as a volunteer at WTRRP and is participating in our English language classes.
Afa says: “Without WTRRP we’d be without gas and electricity and also miss some meals. The organisation’s support also allows us to buy seasonal clothes. Mentally, it helps us feel relaxed being in a friendly environment.”
* Not their real name.

FA’s story

My name is FA. I am a 40-year-old refugee from Africa. I have a wife and four children – ages 17, 14, 11 and 7. We came to live in Watford in 2017 and were introduced to Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership in November 2017. Since that time, we have received immense support from the charity.
From providing food and food vouchers to providing moral support. The charity helped us to integrate in the community with invitations for parties, get together events. We have always felt loved, and we appreciate everything.
From helping us to drop our son to his football club, paying the subscription for the football club, checking on us to make sure we are okay. We will always be grateful.
During Covid19, when children could not go to school-we received a donation of a Chromebook that our eldest daughter has been eternally grateful for. She used the computer to prepare for her final examination – it would have been very difficult for her if we had not received that donation.
Our befriender/case worker has become like a family member to us, and the children are always looking forward to seeing him whenever he comes around. He takes interest in our wellbeing and encourages us during difficult times.
On occasions when we want someone to talk to, he is always available to talk and give us reassurance that everything will be okay – sometimes we just want someone to talk to.
Being a refugee is one of the hardest things that someone can go through, but the situation feels better with a caring, loving community that makes you feel safe and loved. Recently when I went for a Home Office interview, one of the volunteers came with me. This was an amazing gesture and I went through the interview knowing that there was someone there who had my back and I felt more confident.
We have been helped in so many ways by WTRRP over the years. From my wife and children, thank you WTRRP for all the good work you have done for us and for the other people that we meet in our events.
May you all be blessed.
Yours,
FA