This week, we’re getting to know Becca, one of our Resettlement Caseworkers. Becca works closely with families who have recently arrived in Brighton and Hove, helping them to settle into their new community and build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the UK.
What is your name and role at Voices in Exile?
My name is Becca and I’m a Resettlement Caseworker at Voices in Exile.
What does your role involve?
I work with people who have been resettled in Brighton and Hove. All of my clients are from Afghanistan at the moment, which is true for most of the team. We support people to access the services they need and are entitled to, so that they can live full and independent lives in the UK.
I work with around seven families and they each get 2 years of casework support, which means we often get to know them quite well. I help people to access and understand their benefits and healthcare, set up accounts and pay bills, understand their budgets and access social opportunities so they can meet new people.
Our clients also work with our dedicated ESOL and Employability Caseworkers who support them to improve their English, if they need to, and to find work.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Voices in Exile?
Seeing people build up skills and confidence as they settle into the local area is a lovely part of my job.
Recently several of the women I work with have all started attending ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) class for the first time. For some of them it’s the first time they’ve been in a classroom and written or read in any language. Some people are unsure if they can learn English and joining a class is a huge step. They’re all doing really well and have started to use English in our appointments. It’s brilliant to see and means that they can be more empowered and independent in their daily lives.
What’s something about your role or our work that you think people might not know?
We do a lot of practical things with our clients but sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is listen and make people feel heard. Starting from scratch in a new place and culture is a long and complicated process, giving someone a safe space to say how they feel and ask questions and can be just as helpful as filling out a form.