Vivian and hosts Ian and Jen

*Vivian's story highlights the impact of kindness and support of community connections people find through Room for Refugees. She is an asylum seeker from India who originally came to Scotland on a scholarship to complete her Computer Science degree at the University of Glasgow. When this ended, so did her student accommodation and support, leaving her destitute with no recourse to public funds or housing. Valsa was able to stay with friends for a few weeks but was asked to leave due to overcrowding, leaving her homeless. This is where Positive Action in Housing stepped in to support. 

Our Lifeline casework team supported Vivian and connected her to our Room for Refugees hosting network, where volunteer hosts Ian and Jen offered her a place to stay. Ian and Jen had thought about hosting for years. Ian’s parents came to this country as refugees as teenagers, and he was a trustee for a refugee charity for several years, an experience which motivated the couple to support further. They had the space and felt as if they had something to give back to the ‘next generation of refugees’.  

Vivian stayed with Ian and Jen for over a year and told us she enjoyed listening to their stories of world travel. They often enjoyed meals together at home and going out to events. Jen even introduced Valsa to her theatre group, which she began attending. 

Vivian told us that she had received lots of help from both hosts. She also found stability by volunteering in the local community and advocating for herself and others in the asylum system. This allowed her breathing space to make plans for her future—even though she is still awaiting an outcome on her asylum claim, she has secured a scholarship to pursue her Master’s degree at University. 

‘I’ve had trouble with my mental health, and it’s been very difficult for me being in limbo with my status. Having my hosts knock on my door to check in on me during my stay really made a difference.’