Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Young Person

Upon arrival to Willow Tree Support Services, a comprehensive assessment was conducted to identify immediate and long-term needs, including health needs, Initial medical check-ups and assessments, optician appointment, dentist, audiology, education history and aspirations.

As un unaccompanied asylum seeker, this young person had very limited English. He was encouraged and supported to enrol at college. He started enjoying his participation in class. He was supported with his English lessons in and our of college and encouraged to practice his English watching movies, listening to music and having keywork sessions with staff.

WTSS was regularly in contact with the college, following the young man’s progress. In few months he was able to have conversations with staff and was able to share his wishes and feelings. He started to attend college four times per week. His determination led him to pass on his exams going up a level every term and bringing home many certificates of achievements.

As un unaccompanied asylum-seeking young man, he experienced lots of trauma to arrive in the UK. His traumas did not define who he was or is now. And they don’t restrict what he can now achieve. Knowing about his passion to play football, staff supported him to join a local football team. Staff and his housemates have been to support him by attending his matches. He got two trophies while placed at WTSS. He has been supported to have a healthy and balanced diet. He has also joined the gym. He is now very focused on what he wants for his future.

Seeing the young person’s academic and personal development, WTSS contacted Manchester United to see if there might be an opportunity to reward him. We managed to obtain a match ticket. The young person told us this was the best day of his life.

Just before he turned 18, the young person was called up to play football for a team in London. Due to his age and for the football opportunity, we made it made possible for the young person to be in London so he could follow his dreams. He has now moved on, but he keeps in touch with Willow Tree Support Services. It is amazing seeing his progress and goals.

We worked with this young man to prepare him to independence through keywork sessions, exploring topics such as trafficking, money management, preparation to post 18, house transition, employment services and much more. He is now confident in his knowledge about the UK health and emergency services, how to open a bank account, how to attend his appointments and more. He left our service able to put into practice everything we have supported him with during his stay.