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2020 was a difficult year for so many of us, but there was at least one bright moment. In November, our friend Meg heard that the Home Office were no longer going to contest her asylum claim and that she and her son would be granted leave to remain in the UK. We are Lynda Castle and Jenny Baker, two friends in Ealing who have got to know Meg over the last three years. Meg is smart, funny, compassionate and determined. She has the opportunity for a fresh start this year and we want to make sure she has what she needs to make the most of it. (For reasons that will become clear, Meg is not her real name. The photo is of Lynda and Meg's son with his face obscured.)
What we’re raising money for
For the last year, Meg has been living in a refuge for female asylum seekers who have experienced domestic abuse. When her papers come through she will be given 28 days’ notice to leave. Her local council will provide accommodation, and she may be placed somewhere temporary for a while, but eventually she will be given a place to live. If her experience is anything like the other women at the refuge, she will need to provide all the basics to make it habitable – flooring, a cooker, fridge freezer, furniture, bedding and so on. All the money raised through this campaign will go directly to Meg so she can make her new home comfortable and safe for her and her son. We know that these are difficult times, and any amount will be gratefully received.
Meg’s story
Meg first came to the UK to study at university. While she was here events happened which meant that if she were to return home, her life would be in danger. We’re telling her story in a way that protects her identity for her own safety, but we can absolutely vouch for her and the truth of her story. She has no other family she can turn to.
Meg paid for legal advice to support her initial asylum claim, but she was taken advantage of and her claim failed. We met her when she needed a new place to live. Jenny offered Meg her spare room to live in and welcomed her into her home. Around that time, Meg’s case was taken up by a legal organisation who support asylum seekers. They believed that she had a strong case to be granted asylum, and they resubmitted her claim to the Home Office with fresh and compelling evidence.
Meg gradually settled into living in London, and we got to know the real person behind the shy exterior. Unsurprisingly, because of all that she experienced she has been diagnosed with PTSD and suffers from depression. In the past she had got involved in campaigning and worked as a community organiser, but threats from her home country meant that she had to go under the radar. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work or earn money, but they can study. Meg applied for a scholarship to do a Masters at a prestigious London University and was delighted to be successful, one of only three asylum seekers in the UK to be awarded a full scholarship.
The next year was very difficult for Meg. While studying for her degree, the relationship she was in turned very abusive. She had a baby son and because the abuse increased, they were moved to a refuge for their own safety. Her baby is now an active, curious and demanding toddler who is the centre of Meg’s world. And just before Christmas, Meg heard that she has been awarded her Masters after she persevered with her studies through all the upheaval of the last year - a fantastic achievement.
The refuge is the 17th different place Meg has lived since claiming asylum and while she has been there, Meg has used her community organising skills on behalf of the other women. She has alerted the council to the poor and dangerous state of the accommodation, which is managed by Serco, and as a result the council has stepped in to demand that Serco put things right. Meg is a natural leader who is passionate about justice and wants to use her skills and experience to help other women who have experienced similar things to her. She just needs an opportunity to build a safe home after the trauma of the last few years, and then she can use her passion, skills and determination on behalf of others.
Meg’s asylum claim was submitted afresh in November 2017. For the last three years, the Home Office have repeatedly denied Meg asylum and it has been clear that they haven’t even read her claim properly, at one point referring to her as a man. The legal organisation have been tireless in their support of her case and brought a judicial review against the Home Office. Jenny went to the hearing with Meg in November 2020 to be a witness. Her lawyer was briefing us on what to expect, and went to say hello to the Home Office lawyer. He came back into the room to say that they had (at last) considered her case properly, and they were going to withdraw from the case and to grant her full asylum. As you can imagine it was a joyful and emotional moment! Because of Covid, all we could do to celebrate was drink peppermint tea in the rain. After seven years of living in limbo, Meg has a fresh chance to start her life again and provide a positive future for her son, and we are behind her all the way.
About us
Jenny Baker is Chief Operating Officer for a youth work charity and has lived in Ealing since 1995.
Lynda Castle is an interior horticultural technician and has lived in Ealing for 20 years.
What we’re raising money for
For the last year, Meg has been living in a refuge for female asylum seekers who have experienced domestic abuse. When her papers come through she will be given 28 days’ notice to leave. Her local council will provide accommodation, and she may be placed somewhere temporary for a while, but eventually she will be given a place to live. If her experience is anything like the other women at the refuge, she will need to provide all the basics to make it habitable – flooring, a cooker, fridge freezer, furniture, bedding and so on. All the money raised through this campaign will go directly to Meg so she can make her new home comfortable and safe for her and her son. We know that these are difficult times, and any amount will be gratefully received.
Meg’s story
Meg first came to the UK to study at university. While she was here events happened which meant that if she were to return home, her life would be in danger. We’re telling her story in a way that protects her identity for her own safety, but we can absolutely vouch for her and the truth of her story. She has no other family she can turn to.
Meg paid for legal advice to support her initial asylum claim, but she was taken advantage of and her claim failed. We met her when she needed a new place to live. Jenny offered Meg her spare room to live in and welcomed her into her home. Around that time, Meg’s case was taken up by a legal organisation who support asylum seekers. They believed that she had a strong case to be granted asylum, and they resubmitted her claim to the Home Office with fresh and compelling evidence.
Meg gradually settled into living in London, and we got to know the real person behind the shy exterior. Unsurprisingly, because of all that she experienced she has been diagnosed with PTSD and suffers from depression. In the past she had got involved in campaigning and worked as a community organiser, but threats from her home country meant that she had to go under the radar. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work or earn money, but they can study. Meg applied for a scholarship to do a Masters at a prestigious London University and was delighted to be successful, one of only three asylum seekers in the UK to be awarded a full scholarship.
The next year was very difficult for Meg. While studying for her degree, the relationship she was in turned very abusive. She had a baby son and because the abuse increased, they were moved to a refuge for their own safety. Her baby is now an active, curious and demanding toddler who is the centre of Meg’s world. And just before Christmas, Meg heard that she has been awarded her Masters after she persevered with her studies through all the upheaval of the last year - a fantastic achievement.
The refuge is the 17th different place Meg has lived since claiming asylum and while she has been there, Meg has used her community organising skills on behalf of the other women. She has alerted the council to the poor and dangerous state of the accommodation, which is managed by Serco, and as a result the council has stepped in to demand that Serco put things right. Meg is a natural leader who is passionate about justice and wants to use her skills and experience to help other women who have experienced similar things to her. She just needs an opportunity to build a safe home after the trauma of the last few years, and then she can use her passion, skills and determination on behalf of others.
Meg’s asylum claim was submitted afresh in November 2017. For the last three years, the Home Office have repeatedly denied Meg asylum and it has been clear that they haven’t even read her claim properly, at one point referring to her as a man. The legal organisation have been tireless in their support of her case and brought a judicial review against the Home Office. Jenny went to the hearing with Meg in November 2020 to be a witness. Her lawyer was briefing us on what to expect, and went to say hello to the Home Office lawyer. He came back into the room to say that they had (at last) considered her case properly, and they were going to withdraw from the case and to grant her full asylum. As you can imagine it was a joyful and emotional moment! Because of Covid, all we could do to celebrate was drink peppermint tea in the rain. After seven years of living in limbo, Meg has a fresh chance to start her life again and provide a positive future for her son, and we are behind her all the way.
About us
Jenny Baker is Chief Operating Officer for a youth work charity and has lived in Ealing since 1995.
Lynda Castle is an interior horticultural technician and has lived in Ealing for 20 years.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenny Baker
Organizer