Home Start Glasgow South helped our family find community
Tahir: My name is Tahir, and I’m from Pakistan. I came to the UK in August 2014, seeking asylum with my wife, Shazia. Everything here was new, unfamiliar, and difficult.
I remember sitting at the Home Office all day with no idea what was next. Then eventually they sent us to Glasgow. They gave us temporary accommodation, but it was far from ideal.
Shazia: When we first arrived here, I was really scared. It was a huge change, from Pakistan to UK. I had no money, no papers and no home. And I did not speak English.
After my daughter was born, I started to struggle with anxiety and depression. I just could not cope. These were very dark days for me.
Tahir: My wife’s anxiety was very bad. She would wake in the night, reliving the trauma of our journey. She would wake up, screaming “Somebody’s killing me?”. The GP referred her to a mental health hospital. That was a very scary time for me. It was the lowest point.
Shazia: Then one day the GP referred me to Home Start Glasgow South. A kind lady came to see me and really helped give me the courage to carry on. She would visit me every day and speak to me. She would say, “These feelings will pass. Maybe tomorrow will better.” And slowly, slowly, it was.
She encouraged me to visit the library and join Home Start Glasgow South’s Parents and Family group. Meeting other mothers, and sharing our struggles changed everything.
“The GP referred me to Home Start Glasgow South. A kind lady came to see me and really helped give me the courage to carry on.”
Home Start Glasgow South helped us
Tahir: We have so much to thank Home Start Glasgow South for.
When we arrived, we had no money. We just had an Aspen card that we’d use for anything we needed – if we wanted to make a phone call, or if we wanted to buy food, or have our hair cut. But very few places would accept this card. It was a real challenge for us.
But Home Start Glasgow South helped us. They gave us vouchers so we could buy food. They made life bearable again.
We were moved several times, sometimes with just a few days’ notice. One of the homes was terrible – there was mould and water leaking through the walls. In another home, there was a neighbour downstairs who smoked weed all day.
Home Start Glasgow South were always there to help out and to fight for better accommodation for us. They also supported our claim for asylum, until eventually we were granted leave to remain two years ago. This was a huge relief for us. At last we felt safe.
We are so grateful to Natalie who worked hard to find us a permanent house. And finally, we got it.
"I am making good friends. I go to the Warm Start group, we have fun together and laugh a lot."
I finally feel at peace
Shazia: I love this house. It is close to the GP, shops and my children go to a good school. I finally feel at peace.
Now I’m studying English at college. This is thanks to Kim, a volunteer tutor from Home Start Glasgow South, who helped give me the confidence to apply.
I am making good friends. I go to the Warm Start group, we have fun together and laugh a lot. I feel confident now. Previously, I was a college lecturer in Pakistan, teaching Urdu. I would like to teach again one day. I want to improve my English, gain new skills, and work – to help my children, my community and myself.
Hope for the future
Tahir: I am so proud of how well my kids are doing in school. They are always bringing home certificates and ‘star of the week’ awards. I am learning from them now!
I volunteer at the Lunch Bunch community group and it feels good to give something back.
My dream is for my children to be happy, to get a good education and find a job to contribute to society – a doctor, engineer, or whatever they want to do.
I’m so thankful to Home Start Glasgow South, especially to Natalie. She is like family – like a sister to us. Without her, I don’t know where we would be. She has given us hope for the future.
Tahir and Shazia were supported by the team from Home Start Glasgow South.
