I’m Perrico, and I’ve served as a trustee of Praxis for decades. I joined when the organisation had just been established and when there was a strong presence of refugees escaping Latin American dictatorships needing support.

In the 1970s Chileans started arriving in the UK, fleeing Pinochet’s dictatorship and seeking safety. Their presence brought a different perspective on refugees' situations in the country. Solidarity for refugees was strong during those times, and the community in the UK offered significant support.

As a refugee and former political prisoner myself, I knew that what migrants and refugees need is both professional support and someone who recognises their humanity and can understand their situation – someone who can understand why they’re depressed, what they have gone through and what they need.

What has always made Praxis the outstanding organisation it is, is both its high level of professionalism and its ability to recognise and talk to the human beings sitting at the other side of the desk. This is the ‘hidden benefit’ that Praxis’ service users receive: when they come here they find someone who is a friend.

Praxis has always been made of ordinary people who decide to show solidarity, who know how to defend and work for migrants and refugees, who recognise that migrants and refugees aren’t just “nobodies”. Praxis has always recognised us as “somebody” who has something to contribute to our societies and this country.

At that time, Praxis operated as a community-based organisation, offering vital services such as advice. I was actively involved with the Refugee Arrival Project and with the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (now Freedom from Torture), which frequently referred people to Praxis. Over time, I often accompanied people who had just arrived to the UK and needed advice, a safe place to meet, and a new community.

Praxis has always been responsive to the needs of the people, and it has undergone many transformations to adapt to those needs. We connected with migrants in the local community, for example the large Bangladeshi population in Bethnal Green. We provided interpreters to accompany individuals to the GP, at a time when children were often tasked with interpreting for their parents.

Additionally, we recognised the challenges faced by young migrants and refugees who often found themselves sidelined in their family’s immigration process. Our youth group Brighter Futures stands as one of Praxis' greatest achievements. It empowers young people to integrate into society and become key actors in their communities.

Perrico Rodriquez, Former Trustee