This week we’re introducing Anerley, one of our dedicated Generalist Advice Caseworkers. Anerley is part of the team providing vital, day-to-day support to our clients, helping people navigate complex systems and access the rights and services they’re entitled to.
What is your name and role at Voices in Exile?
My name is Anerley and I’m a Generalist Advice Caseworker here at Voices in Exile. I’ve been involved in the organisation for 3 years, before this I supported young adults aged 16-25 years old at The Youth Employment Hub and have managed my own caseload for over 5 years.
What does your role involve?
My role involves casework and advocacy around housing, asylum support, welfare benefits, destitution, section 17, care act, financial inclusion, health and wellbeing, skills and development. A typical day is so varied so I’ve included what my role has looked like over the last couple weeks.
I’ve provided outreach advice in the food bank and external sessions provided by Network of International Women. This week I’ve been training new Casework Volunteers who have joined our Generalist Team. I’ve assisted clients with casework and advocacy for PIP and advice on housing decisions. I’ve referred clients to solicitors for housing and section 17 and supported them to sign legal aid documents. I’ve attended a network meeting with the No Accommodation Network (NACCOM), Temporary Accommodation Action Group Brighton and Hove, Casework Solidarity Forum in London as well as attending internal meetings with my team. I’ve supported with hardship grants to migrants, and I’ve also assisted with signing parents up to AMAZE and referrals to Hummingbird Project.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Voices in Exile?
Connecting with people who have unbelievable resilience and supporting them to integrate into the community.
During one off advice sessions, I often feel this casework support is very limited as we provide 1-5 hours of advice and support compared to the longer-term casework where support can last several months. Nevertheless, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is referring clients to local community groups and seeing the transformation that follows. These spaces offer opportunities for peer support, advice, and genuine connection, helping clients build independence and a sense of belonging.
For instance, I supported a client who had recently claimed asylum and was experiencing severe isolation while living in an asylum hotel. I connected them with VYD CIC (a football group for people with refugee status and people seeking asylum) and the Brighton Table Tennis Club. Just a month later, they were volunteering and expressed deep gratitude for being introduced to these services. Seeing him smile felt great.
What’s something about your role or our work that you think people might not know?
There are a few things we do that people might not always be aware of. We match Migrant Support Volunteers with clients who have specific needs – for example we may set up sessions with a Migrant Support Volunteer to improve someone’s confidence with using public transport or post office. The sessions could focus on getting to know the area, practice for theory driving test, feeling nervous about accessing external support groups. We’ve had amazing feedback about the difference ViE Volunteers make in helping people feel more confident and connected to where they’re living.
We’re also active beyond our day-to-day support. We regularly present case studies and client experiences at network meetings to influence local and regional policy. We advocate for the voice of lived-experience to be centre of conversation at network meetings. Our team provides training to external organisations on how to support people with refugee status, seeking asylum and migrants with compassion and best practice. Even when we’re closed to referrals for longer-term casework, we are providing advice and support to new clients during outreach sessions. We support many people in the city living in asylum accommodation who might otherwise be left without access to help.