EUSS Advice and Support in Leicester
From July – September 2024 in Leicester, we have helped over 100 EU and non-EU nationals, supporting them with their EU Settlement Scheme applications, and providing one off advice.
We are seeing the complexity of the cases increasing, and the threat of removal for those with no status. The majority of our service users are facing difficulties in providing evidence for 5 years continuous residence in the UK.
A new trend that we are seeing recently is the cancellation of the PSS from HO, a non-EU spouse of an EU citizen received news from the HO that her status was cancelled due to their separation. We are also seeing more people who are facing mental health issues, while having to deal also with their immigration status and wondering what their rights are after receiving a status.
Some applicants make mistakes on when they can apply for SS; often apply before they satisfy 5 years of residency, then they have applications refused. Refusals may cause problems at the borders. We have dealt with a case when the applicant has had PSS but then had SS refused. The border could only see the refusal and could not see that the applicant actually holds PSS. The applicant was held at the borders for hours causing great distress and disrespect.
We are also receiving referrals through our wider networks, including British Red Cross, in Leicester, through word of mouth, and recently through a private solicitor in Leicester.
NEUK continues to help develop the capacity building of the partners by coaching community groups in Leicester to apply for OISC Level 1 registration and our partner Seraphus will oversee that process.
Outreach
In Leicester, we are building the capacity of the staff and volunteers of our partner organisations. We will run 4 EUSS Info sessions each month, equipping staff and volunteers to be aware of the EU Settlement Scheme, so they can help their communities through the referral process and support them without having a legal background. If you are interested in attending a session please get in touch.
We were invited by Woman for Change (woman-only Somali organisation) to have an EUSS info session with their community members on 11th October. Women4Change
In the past months, we enjoyed the activities organised by Migrant’s Rights Network, “Abolition and Decolonising, organising day” facilitated at Highfields Centre, an activity organised in the context of Black History Month. Home – Migrants’ Rights Network (migrantsrights.org.uk)
We also attended the annual conference of Voluntary Action Leicestershire, “Focus 2024” which was held in a lovely hall in Loughborough. This event brought together people from the voluntary sector engaging in different workshops on key topics affecting the sector, sharing ideas and networking with one another. Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) | Changing lives for the better (valonline.org.uk)
EUSS Drop-in Sessions
We run regular drop ins at Highfields Centre on Fridays and De Montfort University on Wednesdays.
Contact us for outreach work in Leicester:
If you are a community group or organisation which would like to discuss working in partnership with us, or for us to run a session with your staff/ volunteers on the EU Settlement Scheme, please contact
Marinela Bojaxhiu on marinela.bojaxhiu@neweuropeans.uk
If you work with someone who needs support with the EU Settlement Scheme please email: help@neweuropeans.uk
