When a mother of two, with a newborn just three months old, transitioned from an international student visa to refugee status, she faced overwhelming challenges. With her refugee status granted but unable to work due to childcare responsibilities, and her husband’s asylum case still pending, leaving him also unable to work, the family had no stable income and struggled to meet their basic needs. 

We carried out a needs assessment and provided emergency food support, whilst also signposting her to Migrant Help for vital advice. In the weeks that followed, we supported the family with fuel assistance, shopping vouchers, and hygiene essentials. We also ensured information was shared in her first language, Bengali, and linked her with Luton Borough Council for housing support, helping her navigate a system she was unfamiliar with. 

Through consistent follow-up and joined-up support, the client accessed a range of help including food, financial assistance, housing guidance, baby products, and language-accessible advice. Importantly, her husband has since secured a two-year visa waiver, easing some of the family’s uncertainty. 

Reflecting on her journey, she said: ‘I am very grateful for your support. Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to get all this important support. As an international student, I wouldn’t have known where to go to seek advice.’ 

Her story is a clear example of how tailored, compassionate, and consistent support can empower families navigating the difficult transition from student status to refugee life, helping them find stability in the face of hardship.