It took nine years for me to be granted refugee status. My wife and I applied for UK citizenship at the same time. We had our ceremonies together, and we were so happy. Read more
In our work, we meet many incredible individuals. People who have endured war, violence, abuse and poverty. They are determined to build better lives for themselves and their families and we are proud to be supporting them on their journey. Here you can read some of their stories.
Being involved with Migrant Helpline made me a better person. I loved seeing former clients making a success of their lives. I can’t imagine my life now without this mixture of people. Read more
We also got involved with helping trafficking survivors, hearing heartrending stories of exploitation, and how people had found the courage to escape. Read more
My journey to Northern Ireland took me from Ethiopia to Sudan, then to Turkey, then Greece, Romania, Germany and France before arriving in Belfast. Read more
My hope is that at a minimum people can live without fear and survive. Not having to look over their shoulder because somebody’s after them. Having a place to sleep, food and clothing. Read more
Helen Ellis founded Migrant Help in 1963 under its original name, the Kent Committee for the Welfare of Migrants. Her daughter, Margaret Hurst, talks about Helen’s life and memories of the charity’s earliest years. Read more
I really didn’t want to leave Sudan, but my auntie told me that it wasn’t safe for me to stay any more. She said: They killed your friend, and now they are going to kill you as well. Read more
Eskander, an Ethiopian refugee overcame years of adversity to become an elite runner representing Northern Ireland. Read more
The Eritrean government forces thousands of young people - both male and female - to join the national military service. Many women opt to marry and have children early in order to be exempt from joining. I was safe, but my husband was forced to join up. Read more
I was sexually abused by the man who loaned my dad money to fund his gambling habit. When I told my father about it, he told me I needed to deal with it by myself and that I owe him. Read more
I am a woman of steel who lived without the strength of a man in my life. When I fell, I would stand up again. Read more
Despite being the 4th generation and my family living in Kuwait, I am what’s known as a bedouin, which means stateless. I had no rights to health care or further education, and no prospects of getting a decent job. Read more