The Okwo Family
Henry and his family faced extreme poverty and hardship since seeking asylum in Glasgow. Despite following the rules, the Home Office wrongly informed Henry that he couldn’t work. This led to the family being unable to pay their rent and becoming destitute.
The Okwo family sought emergency assistance from the Home Office, Mears Group, and MigrantHelp, but encountered neglect and a failure of duty of care. They were forced to leave their rented accommodation and take refuge in the corridor with their three young children during a severe weather warning. They had to shelter in the freezing corridor for hours and later spent hours in a police van. The Home Office contractor, Mears Group, then moved them forcibly to a hotel in York. Our Homelessness Team intervened, returning them to Glasgow and providing crisis support. The case was highlighted in the local press. The family has now moved to temporary accommodation. They remain traumatised and bewildered by the treatment they received but are grateful for the public’s love and support.
We have some measure of peace while we attempt to rebuild our lives thanks to your intervention.