Suhail's Story
Suhail is an asylum seeker who had to flee his home country due to risk of persecution.
Read Suhail’s story here:
Suhail's Story
Suhail is an asylum seeker who had to flee his home country due to risk of persecution. He had received call up papers and would be forced to fight for Tigray, but he did not want any involvement with the war and did not want to fight. Suhail left Eritrea and travelled on foot to Tigray. He then went to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and then by foot and car to Sudan. Then by lorry to Libya, by boat to Italy, then Paris – and eventually to the UK by boat. He finally made it to Nightsafe through service referrals and support of the home office.
Staff introduced themselves to Suhail and were provided with vital information from the home office. When Suhail first arrived, he seemed overwhelmed. He was shown around the Night Shelter and Day Centre and was asked if he was hungry using hand gestures as he spoke no English, staff made him a sandwich of his choice and gave him something to drink.
The language barrier was a problem between Suhail and staff but we worked together and made flash cards with everyday objects and chores on to help with the basics at the Gate House. Staff used Google translate to get certain points across.
Suhail was enrolled at college on an ESOL course, maths and ICT. Staff encourage Suhail to go to college and he has continued to build on his English and receives positive feedback from teachers. His English is improving and communication is becoming easier for him.
Suhail was enrolled at college on an ESOL course, maths and ICT. Staff encourage Suhail to go to college and he has continued to build on his English and receives positive feedback from teachers. His English is improving and communication is becoming easier for him.
Staff registered Suhail with a doctor, dentist, and optician. Suhail was not on any medication, although all professionals and staff are aware that that his back hurts following an accident on his gruelling journey over to the UK.
Suhail attended his appointments at the dentist, GP and optician to have his health checked and receive any necessary treatments or referrals for treatment. After some assisted appointments with our staff team, Suhail now feels confident enough to attend appointments independently.
He has received braces and his medical needs are being addressed by his GP. Suhail was offered, but said he did not wish to engage with, talking therapies. However, he is engaging with Barnardo’s National Counter Trafficking Service with his allocated worker, Christopher Bailey.
He has been given brochures with illustrations for him to read in his own time and in Tigrinya so able to understand. Christopher has completed journey work with Suhail and he has engaged well with this.
Suhail has got a gym membership and attends regularly. Staff and management encourage exercise and nutritious meals, and currently trying to help him improve his sleeping pattern.
He is very independent and does not need prompting in his personal care. He takes pride in his appearance and personal hygiene and is able to cook independently with very little supervision.
Suhail speaks to his family in Eritrea by using an international calling card which he receives £10 weekly from his social worker.
Suhail enjoys listening to his cultural music and is often seen dancing to his music. Suhail says he would like to play a stringed instrument similar to the one he played in Eritrea.
Suhail has a healthy social life both in and out of college, and has built a strong friendship group. He will soon be 18 and feels he will thrive in the community and is more than capable of living independently when the time comes. We at the Gatehouse will continue to support Suhail in planning for his future, by continuing to encourage him to attend college regularly and to help him look at different housing options.
** Images shown are not of actual person to protect their identity.
