Help Alia Through a Mental Health Crisis

I have set up this fundraiser for my dear friend Alia Ramna, our Fem Queen, member of the Welsh Ballroom Community and 1/3rd of Asian Purrsuasion, as part of her chosen family.

On new year’s eve, Alia had an episode of psychosis and a general breakdown of her mental health, leading her to be hospitalized. We learned that due to many reasons, one of which being acute financial stress, Alia's mental health has been deteriorating gravely over the past year.

Alia has dedicated herself to her community wholly, from being a role model to young transfemmes, to championing queer people of colour all over Wales, to leading trans pride marches. She is a pillar of our community in Cardiff - her sunny personality, generosity, glamour and talent means that she is widely known and loved. Unfortunately, Alia is not able to access the funding and sponsorships that more affluent, stable, and privileged performers are able to receive to carry out the equivalent amount of labour and cultural contribution that Alia does.

Alia is currently admitted to a local mental health ward and is undergoing intensive care and treatment. Her chosen family has recognised that the single best thing we can do outside to help her return to her normal life and prevent future crises is to clear her debt, make sure her rent and bills are paid while she is in hospital, and fix up her apartment.

Her current debts are with her electric and gas company, the DWP, rent, the council, and personal loans from friends. They total £4900, and the most urgent ones would be paid first. Clearing these debts will enable Alia to start with a clear slate when she comes out of hospital. But due to how substantial they are, reducing them by any amount would be life changing for Alia. We will be fundraising at some events on top of this GoFundMe, but anything you can spare helps hugely.

In addition to her debts, Alia also has regular bills and living expenses that need to be paid. They total £699 a month, and cover her rent, utilities, and food.

We have identified that her dilapidated flat is a source of mental distress and that giving it a revamp will allow her to return to a comfortable and soothing space when she is discharged. However we will focus on her debts and monthly expenses first; if there is enough money in the fundraiser, then we will look into cleaning and fixing up her living space as well. We would also love to have some money left over to help her access consistent trauma therapy when she leaves inpatient care.

Before her admission Alia had been working with a debt advice charity to help calculate her finances and work out her budget. She really has been working hard to clear these debts, but with her Universal Credit not covering the cost of her rent it's been hard for her to manage even minimum payments. We're now working with her to make sure her Universal Credit is increased during her stay, and beyond, but as they pay monthly it's likely she won't receive any increase until the end of February.

Alia is an older sister to me, my inspiration, my family and my teacher when it comes to our work together. It is deeply painful for us all to watch Alia’s health be chipped away to this extent due to the systems of oppression that she has had to constantly fight against. We are hoping to take one stress from her shoulders so she can focus on recovering, healing, and so has a leg up when she is eventually discharged from the hospital. Please help us help our wonderful Alia to return to her life with all the peace, dignity and joy she deserves.