|
As she was imprisoned and tortured in her home country, the housing association in Newport made Alia a priority and offered her a council flat. However, the new arrival was completely alone in an unfamiliar country and desperately needed support during her first few months in the city.
A new home
Help soon arrived in the form of Teresa, a Red Cross volunteer. She said: “I went with Alia to view the flat she had been offered, which was in a terrible state and also quite far from other people in Alia’s community.
“At first she wasn’t sure about the flat but I reassured her that, with the money she would receive from her community grant application, she could soon make it feel like home.
“Four weeks later, the flat looked fantastic. Friends helped Alia to redecorate and we bought furniture from a second-hand furniture project. By now she was receiving her benefits, so we also helped her to get connected to the gas and electricity supply.”
Grateful
Safely settled and comfortable in her new home, Alia could also rely on the Red Cross with help in other areas of her life. Teresa remembered: “Alia mentioned that her feet had been really painful for a while and she’d like me to go with her to see her GP. Following our visit, she has now been booked in for an x-ray and is awaiting her first podiatry appointment.”
Looking back on a busy few weeks, Alia said: “I’m so happy that I’ve been able to settle into my new home – I’ve even got an interview for a job with a local bakery. I’m so grateful for all the help the Red Cross has given me to help me settle into Newport.”
Teresa added: “When she left Eritrea, Alia had to leave behind her 11-year-old son. I’ve now put her in touch with the Red Cross’ international tracing and message service so that hopefully, in time, he can join her in her new home.”
*Name has been changed to protect identity
Become a volunteer
Learn more about first aid
Donate
History of the Red Cross | 
