Mariatu, an asylum seeker, faced hardships but found solace and support by joining a local choir in Glasgow.
They slept badly their first night at a bus station. Later, they stayed at a hotel near Cowcaddens. Mariatu struggled a lot, finding it hard to speak English.
The pandemic made life harder. Mariatu could not go out or easily talk to others, which made her feel unhappy. Getting help became quite difficult.
Lockdown hurt Mariatu’s mental state. She stayed in a small room with the two children. She knew no one in this new city and often cried. She could not easily leave the hotel because she could not afford bus tickets.
Asylum seekers got £39.60 each week, which later increased a bit to £47.39 weekly by 2022. People in hotels received £8.86 each week. Living costs were high then making it hard to pay for things.
The government said support covered basics including clothes and travel. However, campaigners said it wasn’t enough. People needed food banks and could not afford travel costs.
Mariatu moved to Maryhill later because her prior home was not suitable. She joined support groups there including the Maryhill Integration Network which supports positive change.
“My mental health got better,” Mariatu said after joining the Joyous Women’s Choir.
The group helped her a lot. She felt much relief and said her confidence and self-esteem grew stronger.
The choir performed around Scotland, sharing empowering messages through their singing.
Mariatu joined the Women’s Group and found good friends who offered emotional support. English classes helped a lot and she speaks more confidently now.
The group campaigns for asylum seekers’ rights, wanting people to work and receive travel support. Budgets had cut this travel support before however, it was later included again.
“I am so thankful,” Mariatu stated. She loves being part of the network and has zero regrets about it.
It was a long, slow waiting time. Years passed with uncertainty and Mariatu could not work during this time.
Many asylum seekers shared this wait, awaiting news about their future. The Home Office tried to clear cases but created new backlogs instead.
Mariatu’s case faced delays. She waited many years to get a decision that involved many steps.
Now, she is officially a refugee. This happened in December 2024 after years of waiting. People at the meeting celebrated and she feels hopeful about her family now.
“I want a job,” she explained. She wants to work in the NHS or a council and will also study part-time while working twenty hours each week.