After struggling to claim asylum in the UK, Lorraine* ended up at risk of destitution due to the Home Office placing a condition of No Recourse to Public Funds on her visa. She talks about her experience, and how Praxis supported her family to get the essential help they needed.

When people fall through the cracks in the system, they can find it almost impossible to live in safety. That was the situation facing Peter.

Gaining permission to stay in the UK was so important to Chaneti - because it would enable her to access student finance and higher education.

Sayeda has faced so many challenges in 2020 - moving to a new country, escaping her abuser, having a baby and finding somewhere safe to live – all in the midst of a pandemic. Now she is building a new life for herself and her baby.

Tahj-Li and Nashstacia spent most of their life in the UK, but inhumane immigration policies forced them to pay extortionate fees for years just so they can renew their leave to remain.

When Covid19 hit, Jeremiha lost his job and only source of income. For months he had to rely on charities to feed their children, often going hungry while debt was mounting, because of unfair immigration policies.

When I get worried, or when my son asks me not to go to work because he’s scared that I will die, I remember: if I don’t do my job, we won’t beat the virus.

I was 66 and had always worked, but if I had retired from my job at a local school my pension would have not been enough to live on. At Praxis they explained what options I had, and made sure I could escape destitution and retire.

I came to the UK in 1973, but because of Windrush I became homeless and got charged £54000 for my cancer treatment. With Praxis I could speak with the media about my situation: it felt like a roller coaster, but it worked.

Two years ago I lost my job because of issues with my immigration status. I felt like I was facing a wall, I had no hope in front of me, I could only think about my problems. Thanks to Praxis this is now part of my past.

I was a victim of Windrush. With no papers to prove that I was legal in the UK, I couldn’t work or have a bank account and was homeless for years. After Praxis helped me it felt like I was coming alive again.