Case Study Archives - Refugee Women of Bristol

Zumba and Yoga Activities

“I am a black African lady. I came to England in 2010. I used to live in London. When I came to Bristol, I heard about RWoB and joined them in 2017. I used to volunteer in the kitchen at the drop-in centre and attended some English classes.

When the pandemic started, I was really scared, terrified, and so depressed that I could not sleep, eat, or get out of bed. I have never heard or seen anything like this before, but I am handling it better now. I was isolated and did not have any physical activities to do which became boring. Things were accessed differently, but RWoB made activities fun and easy to access with support.

My challenge was not having enough income, so RWoB supported me with a lot of things like food vouchers, a laptop, and top-ups for the online activities that made life easier. The staff and volunteers regularly contacted me to ensure that I was okay. I took part in Zumba and Yoga weekly via Zoom and attended some courses online. I am happy, active, and less stressed now. I am sleeping well because of the support I received from RWoB. I can go and walk around now, and the physical activity changed my life. My muscles are working better, and my brain is thinking clearly.

Also, I am part of a WhatsApp group to connect with other women, share experiences and support each other. I was so happy to meet other women online and socialise with them. I met a lot of amazing women and took many opportunities. I heard about a lot of things that happen in Bristol from chatting with women.

I understand the UK system better now. I also learnt different customs, traditions, and religious norms. This would not be possible for me without the resources and support that RWoB staff and volunteers gave to me which I am incredibly grateful for. I feel happier and confident in better managing my life.”

RWoB member – March 2021

Bereavement and Food Hub

Case Study

I am from Somalia. My daughter and I came here in 2002 as refugees. My husband joined me in 2007 for a family reunion. We had been married for 30 years and had 6 children together. I joined RWoB in 2017 to learn English. My friend introduced me to the drop-in centre which was local.

In January 2021, my husband went back to Somalia to visit his family for a holiday. 3 weeks later my husband became sick from COVID-19. When I found out that he was extremely ill, my daughter and I flew to Somalia in the first week of February. I landed at 12pm and he passed away at 1am the following day. After he passed away, I was deeply affected. In addition to my sadness and devastation, I was then faced with the challenge of contracting COVID-19 as well. My daughter and I both contracted it. We came back to the UK during lockdown and were unable to have visitors or see relatives. This resulted in my children and I having to grieve alone without the support of family and friends. I was physically ill and exhausted from the journey and COVID-19. RWoB supported me emotionally. After I got the support from RWoB I felt a little relief. They signposted me to the right agencies to help with finances and the things my husband used to deal with. Furthermore, they assisted me if I needed any interpreting and translating services.

RWoB gave me practical support. They called me to see how I was managing. They helped with finances and got me food in bulk and shopping to sustain me and my family. They delivered groceries every Wednesday which came from the food hub straight to my door. RWoB were very helpful and supported me with whatever I needed.

Although I am still grieving and miss my husband dearly, I am trying to stay strong for my children. It will take time to heal however RWoB have been a great support. Whether listening to me or helping me practically. They have aided me mentally and physically so I feel a bit of ease knowing that I can reach out and they will be there.

As I had suffered so much stress, it had taken a toll on my health. I already suffered from arthritis and other health issues. I ended up becoming extremely inactive. I had no energy or any intention of doing anything remotely active, to the point where my children were very concerned, and I was unable to communicate with them. RWoB introduced me to online Yoga classes (Zoom) to help me relieve my stress and keep me energised. Additionally, they introduced me to WhatsApp groups run by RWoB where I could listen and chat to other members. This has helped my mental health and I feel more active now.

RWoB have supported me greatly. They have helped me in managing daily tasks and overall challenges in my life. They have aided me financially and mentally which has taken the pressure and stress off during difficult times. I am so grateful they were there for me in my time of need. I hope that they continue to get the funds so that they can continue to support more people from the community.”

RWoB member – March 202

Bereavement

Case Study

This case study illustrates some of the support we gave to our members in this challenging time.

“I am from Somalia, and I come here 5 years ago to join my husband as a family reunion. I have been married to my husband for 16 years and have no children. I enrolled in RWoB 2 years ago, I wanted to learn English. My friend introduced me to the drop-in centre which is local to me.

In August 2020, my husband and I went back to Somalia to visit my family for holiday. One month later my husband got sick from Coronavirus and died on the 7th of October 2020. I come back to the U.K on my own the 22nd of October 2020 and came to a dark and empty house alone and I had to self-isolate for 14 days because of the pandemic. I could not speak English; everything was managed by my late husband when he was alive. After his death I had to pick up the pieces and cope and manage my life alone. It was hard I was grieving, sad, emotionally stressed. I was struggling with pain, and I was physically tired. The pandemic had so much impact. I was socially isolated because no one was allowed to visit me, no family, or friends to pay any condolences. I was grieving alone. After RWoB staff and volunteers called to see how I am, they helped by giving me the support I needed. They were there to listen to all my problems and help me make sense of what I am going through. They gave the chance to get things off my chest and let go of my distressing issues. This gave me some sort of relief.

The practical help RWoB offered me was they called me twice a week (welfare call) to see how I was managing. They helped me with my correspondence through interpretation and signposting me to the right agencies. They assisted me in re-ordering my prescriptions, they delivered shopping to my door, they gave me free food every Wednesday from the food hub and anything else that I needed help with.

I am trying to cope and manage my life. I feel more capable/independent with the support of RWoB staff and volunteers. It will take time to go back to some kind of normality but at moment I am trying to take one step at the time.

I used to lay in bed most of my days, I did not have enough energy. After RWoB contacted me, they have introduced me to activities to help me to occupy my mind and help me to stay active. Now I take part in yoga sessions on Tuesdays run by RWoB for their members online (via Zoom). I also got involved with WhatsApp groups run by RWoB where I can chat and listen to other members of RWoB. These sessions have helped me physically and mentally. I have more energy and I feel much better now.

They gave me the help and support to function again and to move on and take care and look after myself. They taught me how to stay positive. I am so grateful to RWoB for their help and support during this difficult time. I hope they will continue to get the funds to help more people.”

RWoB member March 2021

Family Reunion

Case Study

“I am an asylum seeker and a single mum with 4 young children, and I joined RWoB in 2019 just before Christmas.

Before I joined RWoB, I was struggling with daily communication due to my language barriers. I often felt left out, not knowing what is going on or what lies ahead. I struggled to look after and provide for my children. I did not have many friends and felt lonely and isolated. At the beginning of the first lockdown, I was scared and panicked – what is happening? What am I supposed to do? Will my children and I catch the virus? How am I going to look after 4 children on my own? What if I lose contact with other people? Will I have enough food? When can I see my husband in another town and be with him again?

I have received a lot of support from RWoB! They have given my children presents, toys, gift cards, milk and nappies, food parcels, food vouchers, hardship funds, essential items, mobile data top-ups and laptops/tablets for my children’s remote learning. They have made regular wellbeing checks on me and my children and encouraged me to befriend other members.

They are lifesavers – without them, my children and I would not be able to go through the lockdown. On top of all the support I received, the community worker contacted me regularly throughout the whole year to explain to me and translate for me all sorts of information, guidelines, government letters, school emails, etc. Most of all, the community worker has spent a lot of time listening to me and prayed with me when I was feeling down and scared. The very best news is that with the huge amount of kind help from the community worker of RWoB our family reunion finally happened at the end of February! I could be with my husband and the children finally could be with their father again! My husband, my children and I are ever so grateful for all the heartfelt support and kind help we have received from RWoB. Thank you and may God bless you!”.

Member – March 2021

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