By Marinela Bojaxhiu, Community Outreach Worker, New Europeans UK
‘’My wife’s Settled Status has been refused for the third time!’’ This is how it all started for me.
My neighbour asked for my help with his wife’s Settled Status application a few months ago. He asked if I could help him with it, because he was not confident reading and writing in English. Fortunately, I knew a legal advisor who happen to be one of my friends. She helped a lot by taking their complicated case over. My neighbour and his wife were so desperate after so many rejections. I felt the pain in their eyes and hearts and that’s where I thought maybe I could do something to help more people in their situation. The vacancy at New Europeans UK for a Community Outreach Officer in Leicester opened in August and I grabbed the opportunity!
Back in Albania, I used to work as a laboratory technician at a hospital. Apart from being totally new territory, working as a Community Outreach Officer is a welcome challenge for me. My role includes building partnerships with existing communities and organisations in Leicester, providing their staff and volunteers with information about the EU Settlement Scheme, so that they can have more clarity about who is affected and what changes and difficulties EU citizens are facing post-Brexit. I also equip community actors with understanding around when they need to refer people for immigration advice. Leicester is a diverse city, which is the perfect environment for this project.
During my first month on the job, I have been in places that I never imagined would be so friendly and inspiring. I attended Family Hub meetings, different trainings organised by the Leicester Police and Crime Commissioner, Voluntary Action Leicester, activities and events organised by community organisations celebrating Black History Month and Diwali. In October, I also attend the 10th anniversary celebration for New Europeans UK held at the House of Lords in London.
I have begun to understand the importance of people coming together, discussing matters that affect them and their communities and making their voices heard. Previously, I never really knew how important it is to know about scanning a QR code, leaving a review or celebrating a community event. The more we connect and collaborate the more we will have to celebrate and feel our communities as empowered. Being an EU citizen, with lived experience of the EU Settlement Scheme makes me think about all the people and communities that are struggling with the English language, with the digital application and with providing evidence of 5 consecutive years living in the UK.
People are uncertain about this form of digital status and what it means. What I would like to achieve with this project in Leicester, is to empower communities and enhance their understanding about their rights as EU citizens. We offer free legal advise and support through our WhatsApp helpline and face to face support in Leicester at our office in the Highfields Centre. Our door is always open!
Marinela is a qualified laboratory technician, Greek citizen with Albanian roots. She has experience in volunteering for the NHS conferences and seminars, local community activities and in care homes.
At New Europeans UK, Marinela provides information and education to individuals, organisations and communities in Leicester to better understand the EU Settlement Scheme and enabling networking opportunities with organisations and communities working with vulnerable EU citizens.