"I was in a bad situation...Without you, I would not know what to do." 

Jane* met Salusbury World after a recommendation from a Family Wellbeing Centre. She joined our Women’s Project, hoping to improve her English and to make friends. She had been sofa-surfing with her son for several months, and was barely managing, despite working two cleaning jobs.  

As Jane began to trust our English teacher, she started to talk about the domestic abuse she was suffering. She was unaware that she had any rights, did not understand her immigration status and was reluctant to “make problems”.  

Our advice worker, Nicky, helped Jane understand her rights and advocated for her. With our support, Jane applied for Universal Credit, housing, Child Benefit and challenged a tax penalty.  

Jane’s 15-year-old son was struggling at school; he did not speak English and had little academic support. Nicky referred him to Salusbury World’s mentoring scheme, and he began weekly mentoring sessions 

Jane and her son then became street homeless. She did not know where to turn and was very distressed. We advised her and, with our help, she took her case to housing officials at Brent Civic Centre. Her claim was initially refused because her immigration status and rights were not recognised but together we provided evidence and secured her entitlement.  

During this time, Jane’s ex-husband made threats to kill her and her son; criminal proceedings in relation to attempts to traffic her into sex work are ongoing. Inevitably, Jane’s health has suffered as a result of the stress but she tells us that it is improving – she and her son are living in new accommodation away from her ex-husband and near her son’s school. We have been able to provide them with a laptop and furniture donations, as well as food bank referrals. Both feel more settled: Jane’s English has improved, and she has formed close friendships with two women in the Women’s Project; her son feels more confident at school and is making good progress. One day Jane wants to find work empowering women, perhaps running a refuge.