I'm George

I’m George and 2018 has been rough, same as the five years before as I was homeless, 2019 will be better, I have my status sorted I will be able to get my own place, to have my home.

When my solicitor told me that I was a Windrush citizen and could get leave to remain it was great, but because I didn’t have a passport I still couldn’t open a bank account to get my pension, which I was entitled to since January 2018 but I couldn’t access it. At that time Praxis, who was already helping me with my accommodation, supported me to speak out about it in the media.

Soon after my story was published in The Guardian I received a letter saying that I was finally recognised as a British citizen. The day of the ceremony was the best of the year, I offloaded my head of such a heavy weight, it felt like I was coming alive again.

With my new British passport I have been able to open a bank account and receive my pension. Now I can move on with my life, one step at the time.