Hope Only Exists When We Fight for It but No One Is Alone Is This Fight - Interview SEEAC Welfare Officer

I have been the Welfare Officer at SEEAC since last November. My primary role is to support SEEAC’s clients and community dealing with welfare, benefits, and mental health issues. Being a migrant in the UK, it has been a privilege to support other fellow migrants, especially from Southeast and East Asia in navigating their challenges.  

Navigating Complex Challenges to Ensure Client Welfare and Safety  

My role is a case advocate and support by nature. I spend lots of time with and for clients: either catching up on cases via emails or calls or coordinating with public sectors and other charities. On the other hand, I ensure the government is doing their jobs pertinent to my client’s welfare and put pressure on them if necessary.  

A case can be complex and intersectional, but the priority is always their safety. For instance, what I need to take into account in a case of a migrant woman subjected to domestic violence ranges from her physical and mental health, food and financial security, risks of becoming homeless, disruption of the welfare and education of her kids if any and ultimately the visa status. Sometimes I need to follow up on the progress of judicial proceedings or police investigations, so my clients receive the justice they deserve.   

My work is challenging now. The demand for resources is much higher when what is available, particularly housing and social care. Sometimes I didn’t hear back from the government after the request had been made for a while.   

My Clients and I Give Each Other Hope and Meaning  

A case involving a single mother with two small children deeply moved me. She was nearly homeless when we first made contact, following a dispute with her landlord. Despite her dire situation, she declined an available grant, saying that others needed the money more than she did. Her big heart, thinking of others' needs before her own even in such hardship, was remarkable. 

The positive changes in my clients' lives give my job purpose. Many of them were in very tough situations and suffering mentally when they reached out. They were determined and worked incredibly hard to put their lives together despite facing numerous disadvantages. While I point them toward available help and resources, seeing their progress during our weekly calls gives purpose and meaning to my work. 

My heritage and cultural affinity with my clients, mainly those from Southeast and Asia. . play key roles in establishing and strengthening trust between us. Additionally, my personal experience as a migrant allows me to understand the shared difficulties of integrating and settling in a new country. 

Persistent Fight for a Society that Reciprocates Migrants' Contributions 

Migrants are often denied access to public funds, benefits, or housing assistance in this country. Exceptional decisions are only made when a migrant faces extremely tough circumstances or destitution, and even then, it can take months to receive aid, which is usually minimal. 

My aspiration in this role at SEEAC is to foster a society where migrants are treated equally, and their contributions are acknowledged and reciprocated. From domestic workers to nurses, migrants significantly contribute to the UK's economy and social welfare, yet the country reciprocates so little and so rarely. I also strive for a system where it is easier for victims of violence, including asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking, to receive support and justice. 

There is always hope and humanity but sometimes hope only exists when we fight for it. We need to insist and ask the government for the things you deserve. Remember, no one is alone in this fight. The days may be dark and long, but we will fight together.