Case study: Ivie’s Story
The following story contains distressing themes and mention of physical violence, murder and abuse. Names have been changed to protect anonymity.
Ivie first came to the UK over twenty years ago, after witnessing a brutal murder while on her way to work one day. When she later testified in court, Ivie herself became the victim of a violent revenge attack that almost took her life.
Traumatised, in fear for her safety and receiving no protection from local police, Ivie and her daughter were forced to flee Nigeria, leaving behind the life she had been building as a mother and businesswoman.
But arriving in the UK was just the start of what would be a long journey to sanctuary for Ivie.
“I had to run for my life.”
For many years, Ivie lived in hiding, unaware that she could officially claim asylum. Instead she moved from sofa to sofa, first with a family in Manchester, then to the homes of her fellow churchgoers. All the while living with fear, extreme poverty and deteriorating mental health.
Eventually Ivie ended up staying with a man who promised to provide stability, marriage and help her claim asylum, but who instead became threatening and abusive. When Ivie realised the man might kill her and no one would even know she existed, she had to flee once more.
“Destitution is not an easy thing.”
The next few years of Ivie’s life were marked by destitution. Unable to work or rebuild her life, Ivie experienced constant homelessness, poverty and food insecurity. Her only lifeline was the church, through which she was able to access a food bank and some semblance of community.
Still, life was still very difficult for Ivie. Isolated and alone, she struggled to maintain her mental health after everything she had experienced, and was still experiencing.
“When I had no one around me, I was just crying all the time. I was seriously depressed and angry.”
And then she found WAST…
“My life started again when I joined WAST.”
Ivie joined WAST in 2017, quickly becoming a much-valued member of our community. With WAST’s support, Ivie soon joined in our activities like choir group, Friday drop-in and campaigning for women’s rights. Through WAST, Ivie was also able to access other vital services to help start rebuilding her life.
For the first time since arriving in the UK, Ivie had a room to call her own thanks to Boaz Trust, as well as being able to pick up clothes and necessities from the Red Cross, access the local food bank and receive vital donations like simple toiletries.
WAST also supported Ivie in other ways. When she needed new glasses or bus fare to doctor’s appointments, WAST was able to help. When she had to travel to London to appeal an asylum decision, WAST covered her transport costs. When Ivie had to represent herself and her asylum case, with no access to an immigration lawyer, WAST offered much-needed solidarity and signposting to legal resources.
Now, many years later, Ivie is a member of WAST’s management group, leading the charity and helping others like herself by sharing her experiences, offering peer-to-peer advice and solidarity, and campaigning for the rights of all women seeking asylum in the UK.
Ivie’s advice to women seeking asylum
Despite what some people think, seeking asylum is not easy. You don’t just arrive and have everything laid out for you. The road is often years long, difficult to navigate and incredibly isolating.
On reflection, Ivie wishes she’d known that she had a right to claim asylum, instead of hiding and living in fear for so many years. Hiding is ultimately what led to her being arrested and detained by the Home Office. And though it was in detention where she first learned about her right to seek asylum, being arrested and detained ultimately damaged her case and led to a long cycle of appeals, unstable housing and immense anxiety.
Ivie’s advice to other women is to not make the same mistake she did, but to instead seek help and tell your story.
“When you come, don’t hide. You’ll make it longer and more difficult for yourself. Go and report your situation straight away.”
Ivie’s hopes for the future
Ivie has now been in the asylum system for ten years, waiting for an answer. Until then, she is unable to work or truly plan her future with some sense of stability. However, she still has hopes and dreams.
Ivie would love to set up a business of her own where she can cook for others and bring them the food they love to eat. During her experiences of destitution and detention, Ivie got so sick from the food she ate she ended up in hospital for days at a time. So she understands how important good food is to wellbeing and survival. With the skills and confidence she has gained through WAST, she knows she can do it!
Being part of WAST has helped Ivie start to rebuild her life. She hopes that others will keep supporting WAST so that we can in turn keep supporting women like Ivie. Women who have experienced unimaginable trauma, violence and persecution, and who just want to live safely and in peace as part of a supportive community.
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