The gift of a hand up

This recent story came to us from our partner, Glasgow City Mission. They help individuals who are facing homelessness, addiction or mental health crisis. Their Head of Projects, Phil Wray told us the story of Ali*:

"In 2022, Ali* was found sleeping in a tent in a park in Glasgow. He was encouraged to come into our Overnight Welcome Centre for assistance and we were able to put him in one of our Emergency hotel beds. This helped him feel safe, warm and regather his mental health. He was a Syrian refugee who had been shot in the leg during the conflict and had a sad and compelling story of his past to share. Someone wanting to start a new life, grab it by the horns but who was being rejected everywhere he turned.

Our Housing Settlement Officers accompanied him to a screening appointment. Through perseverance he was granted leave to remain and offered accommodation in May 2023. He eventually got the keys for this property in the beginning of July and we helped him with getting carpets, blinds, chairs, desk, kitchenware, textiles through donations, second hand shops and support through Acts 435.

Ali says he is so grateful for all the care, conversations and advocacy we were able to offer him. He told us that without finding the Mission when he did his life would not be great today. Now, he has a translating job and two modelling contracts! He hopes to go into further education in the future. He offers us free translation for any of our Arabic-speaking guests and keeps in touch regularly."

* Name changed