What’s it like being a visitor?

‘I felt a mixture of excitement and worry when I met my client for the first time.  After the training I felt well prepared and positive. But of course I was anxious too. When we were introduced by my backup, I was surprised.  He was young, but seemed confident and spoke very good English.  How could I possibly help someone like this?  What could I offer him? As it turned out, in the early days there were many practical things to do, such as helping him with essentials such as bedding and cooking equipment and accompanying him to register with a local GP practice.  Filling in various forms was another important area. We started to meet weekly in a café in Southampton.  We would chat and learn a bit about each other. He began to trust me and touch on the terrible experiences that he had endured.  Beneath the young smiling face lay anger, depression and confusion. As we got to know each other I began to understand what the expression ‘in limbo’ really means.  The weeks of waiting involved in making his fresh claim for asylum seemed endless.  There were times when I felt helpless and was confused and angry on his behalf.

But I’ve always been humbled by his emotional resilience, and his ability to separate his frustrations with the system from his appreciation of my and others’ support. While a short meeting each week may not seem much, to a client it provides a moment of normality. It also offers proof that someone cares and wants to know what they think and feel.

It means there is someone there to accept their anger, sadness and frustration without judging, and to share the celebration if there is good news.’