I am so happy to have a job. I have applied for jobs and not even got an interview. I worked for the British Army in Afghanistan, and I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t even get an interview here. Working at the University is a great opportunity.
Testimonials
Recent food bank service user
Tomorrow will be the last time I need to visit the food bank. Please thank everyone at Voices in Exile and yourself for all the support you have been providing through such a difficult time for my family. It has been a lifeline!
Recent immigration casework service user
I came to the UK five years ago after fleeing conflict in my home country of Sudan. Voices in Exile have been supporting me here in Brighton. I go to their English classes, and they have helped me with applying for refugee status, getting a job, and helping me to reunite with my wife. I had to leave her behind in Sudan and I didn’t see her for more than five years. She recently got her visa to come to the UK after Voices provided immigration advice and support and now, finally, she is living here with me.
Ethnic Minority Achievement Service – Sarah, Team Leader
EMAS often refer asylum seekers to the Voices … advice service and there is nothing else we have to offer sometimes to most distressed and worn-out parents. The food bank is also a much needed lifeline with some dignity for families too.
Integration Groups – service user
My wife joins Voices in Exile’s group activities. This helps her to feel confident, mentally better to spend time. Seeing her feeling better makes me feel good.
Integration Groups – service user
My caseworker introduced me to the Groups at Voices in Exile. This referral really changed my life in the UK developing my English, meet new people, and integration to society. I am getting free IT sessions through the group activities; this helped me get better on digital literacy.
Advice & casework partner testimonial DRAFT, Richard Healey
I have worked with VIE since October ’21. I have worked with their caseworkers and directly with their clients providing welfare rights support and advice. All of the caseworkers I have supported have been extremely diligent and committed to their roles. They have been keen to build their knowledge based on the advice I have given and very pro-active in in identifying and solving problems for their clients.
SIS – Nadine, Volunteer Interpreter
I enjoyed working with the caseworkers from Voices in Exile, I am impressed by the high professional standards and the compassionate person-centred approach to members from the diverse ethnic minority groups.
Brighton & Hove City Council Adult Education Hub – Kirsty, Programme Lead
Our very first ESOL group was made up solely of learners referred by ViE and we continue to work well together to provide vital ESOL courses for newly arrived refugees and migrants.
It’s always a pleasure to work with ViE and we value your expertise in working with vulnerable refugees and migrants.
Ethnic Minority Achievement Service – Team Leader, Sarah
Clients really develop sustained and trusting relationships with their Voices caseworkers and value the non-judgemental flexibility with which they are supported. The understanding and recognition of the barriers their particular situation presents with is also a relief as they do not have to constantly retell their story.
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust – Candy, Community Public Health Nurse Specialist: Refugees and Migrants
VIE have been one of my main referral sources for many years. The support provided for newly settled Refugee families is fantastic and must make a huge difference to their experience of arriving in a new country/culture at a bewildering and stressful time.
I have been able to link with individual support workers for specific families on my caseload. The collaborative working is really valuable and despite language challenges I feel clients are given a very good service.
Employability Service – Skills & Employment Brighton & Hove Council – Becs, Employability Manager
ViE staff advocate strongly on behalf of their families and will make home visits or accompany to interviews as appropriate. I have found staff to be committed and ready to professionally challenge and also be kind and curious when working with resettled families.
Volunteer – Mentor, Paula
I’m a retired GP and moved to Brighton from Manchester 10 years ago. Some of my patients in Brighton were refugees and I saw how hard it was for them. I wanted to do something useful when I retired and Voices in Exile felt like a good fit. I have done my best [mentoring] two healthcare professionals (service users) in their search for work in the healthcare sector. They have a lot to offer and will be an asset to the NHS.
Adult Social Care, Brighton & Hove Council – Christine, Social Worker
I especially appreciate Voices in Exile’s knowledge and skills on how to support service users who are refugees and their clear communication and willingness to work collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for people we support.
Sussex Interpreting Services – Arran, Director
Sussex Interpreting Services have worked with ViE over many years. We provide Community Interpreters to support their invaluable casework service and make referrals from our Social Prescribing and Advocacy services. We always find ViE to be responsive, caring, and effective.
They are a vital service, operating in a challenging and complex landscape and in the best interests of asylum seekers and refugees.
Recent service user
Brighton was completely new to me and my family. VIE always supported us in every aspect, these interventions helped us feel more settled and increased integration to the society.