Object #1: Stitched purse and scissors

Lily lives in a safe house. She is an artist, studying for her PhD.

I only have one nephew, so I put his initials [on my embroidery scissors] because I’m always missing him. I just put him everywhere. So that’s why it’s really important for me. It keeps me happy.

Lily has not seen her parents for twelve years.

I have to save at least a little bit of money for their medicine. And I have to send it to them because they’re elderly.

Lily is not legally allowed to sell her work due to immigration restrictions, so she is searching for a job under the ‘Shortage Occupations List’ that asylum seekers can apply for. Despite suffering health complications, she is frequently advised to take on care work.

If my physical health is not good, how can I take care of somebody
else? I have applied for so many positions, but I’ve got nothing. Not
one job. Just care work.

Lily appealed for support from staff at a local college, but the advice she received was still dictated by her immigration status.

He said, ‘You know, I can help you, but I need to take some stuff off
your CV because you’re too well educated [for care work].’

Lily refuses to remove qualifications from her CV.

I’ve said it for many years, and I’ll continue to say it: I don’t need
the Home Office or anyone else to make me a victim. It’s not possible.
My life has already done that. And I refuse to be one. So I’m not going
to compromise myself just because. It’s not going to happen.

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Object #2: Jewellery

Lily keeps herself occupied through jewellery-making and embroidery.
Although she feels safe from her traffickers, life at the safe house can
be overbearing. She believes that Home Office restrictions on asylum seekers’ work and spending influences the safe house staff’s line of questioning.

Lily says that she is asked about how she is using or saving her money.

They are always checking up on us… And they ask, ‘Why this? Why that? Why are you not using all your money?’

In one instance, when Lily was asked where she was going, she
said she was on her way to the foodbank. She was taken to one
side and asked to accept budgeting advice.

It should be our problem how to manage our money.
They check cameras all the time. Checking receipts. What you’re
bringing in, what you’re taking out. That is the trigger point for
me.

Lily has started second-guessing the time and investment she has
put into studying when her future seems so uncertain.

Why are [people seeking asylum] getting education? Why am I
learning advocacy? Why am I doing my PhD? Why have I done
past jobs? It doesn’t matter to [the Home Office]. They just want a
person to be in slavery again.

For Lily, life at the safe house reminds her too much of her life in
exploitation.

This is your freedom and you’re not free here.

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Object #3: Laptop

Lily is determined to pursue academia, but studying in the safe
house can be challenging. Wifi is not always available and Lily
cannot always afford mobile data.

I’m trying to cope with it in this 21st century, where everything is literally digital.

Lily was gifted a laptop by a local charity.

This lady has been encouraging me to study since I met her…She gifted
me a very nice laptop, so this is what I’m using at the moment.

Survivors often rely on informal support and, due to the absence
of guaranteed formal legal advice, can be unaware of the assistance they are entitled to through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

You shouldn’t have to wait for legal representation.

That’s what gives you confidence, and the information you need. There’s lots of examples of charities fulfilling a function that’s meant to be giving you information, case workers, but they don’t feel they can offer any legal advice. But that’s exactly what you need to feel confident.

Lily worries about life after the safe house. She is being encouraged to complete forms that will begin the process of transferring her to National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation, which can range from hostel rooms to the marine vessel Bibby Stockholm.

I don’t want to go there because I know it’s not healthy living and it’s more dangerous to live there.

I’ve got so many friends who tell me stories of living there.

I am so worried.