Hi, My name is Paulo.... and thank you for taking the time to read my story.

My wife and I are of British and Portuguese heritage and spent most of our youth and young adult lives living and working in South Africa.

In May 2019, we welcomed our son into the world, joining our then two‑year‑old daughter. Just one month later, our lives were turned upside down.

After 6½ years with my employer, I was informed that my position would be terminated as part of a broader workforce restructure (BBBEE) I was one of 32 employees affected.

With limited future prospects and wanting safety, stability, and opportunity for our children, we made the incredibly difficult decision to leave everything we knew and immigrate to the UK.

Within three months, we sold all of our worldly possessions, left behind our family, friends, careers, and support networks, and arrived in the UK in October 2019 with:

A 5‑month‑old colic baby

A 3‑year‑old toddler

13 suitcases

No credit history

No family or friends

No understanding of how to navigate UK systems and requirements

We arrived believing we would stay for a few years, rebuild our footing, and then decide where to settle long‑term. What followed proved far more difficult than we could ever have imagined.

With no UK credit history, everything required cash upfront:

Six months’ rent in advance

Purchasing a car outright

Furnishing a home from nothing

Childcare costs so high that my wife was unable to return to work

Our life savings — including pensions — were quickly exhausted.

Then COVID arrived, wiping out what financial stability we had managed to establish.

We were forced to leave our home in Leeds and relocate outside York simply to survive on a single income.

Over the following years, we had to moved repeatedly — each time rebuilding our children’s sense of normality, only to be displaced again when landlords decided to sell.

Each move took an emotional toll, especially on our children, both of whom are under 10 and have diagnosed medical needs.

Recently, we received yet another notice to leave by 30 June. Once again, we face uncertainty despite working hard, doing everything asked of us, and trying to provide a life for my family that they can feel secure and cared for.

For the first time in years, there is a small glimmer of hope.

I have finally been approved for a mortgage in principle — something I never thought we would achieve after everything we’ve been through. The only thing preventing us from moving forward is the house deposit and acciosiated fees.

Why we are asking for £5 000?

The £5 000 we are trying to raise is required for us to formally apply for a mortgage and make an offer on a modest home for our family in our community.

As first‑time buyers, there are so many other fees involved any funds raised beyond the £5k would go directly towards essential buying costs associated with securing the property.

We are committed to full transparency and asking for help like this does not come easily.

We have exhausted every other avenue. Our family back home are struggling just as much and are unable to help financially. This campaign truly represents our last option.

We are not asking for luxury — only for security, stability, and a place our children can finally call home.

If you are able to donate, no matter how small, it would mean more to us than we can express.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page would help us just as much.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any kindness you are able to offer.

With gratitude,

The De Carvalho Family.