Najada’s Story

“I became involved with Refugee Resource almost three years ago. I moved to the UK in 2012 and I wanted to continue supporting refugees and migrants because this is what I've done in Italy. It all comes together [with my] personal experience as a refugee. It's a good way to share my skills in a positive and productive way.

Since I was little girl, I’ve always felt like I want to be on the side of helping people. Refugees are my cause because I know what it means, and I know all the stages that one has to go through. The trauma was mild in my case but is much worse for other people. That is what motivates me to help refugees. I don't want to be part of the political debate - should they stay or should they go? They are here now. They have already taken the decision to cross the sea and taken all the risks. As a human who was on the other side, I appreciate this.

I moved to England after over 20 years in Italy. I felt I could use my skills as a linguist, as an interpreter and my own experience to help Refugee Resource with their clients. Now I interpret in counselling and therapy sessions. That was something that I've always wanted to do, but I didn't know that there was a place that was doing it.

It's been an enriching experience for me. I've learned new ways of interpreting where you have to be more sensitive. All that work comes to really positive results. And when that happens you really see how impactful all this effort has been. Recently we had a client, a mother, who had been waiting in the hotel for a very long period of time. Then she got a positive answer. She got a house and she is feeling in a much better place. Now she can face life and she has worked with her past traumas. She has now the tools to carry on. [People might be] new to counselling but then they start seeing the benefits. It’s amazing when you see how much confidence they have gained.

The services that Refugee Resource offer are holistic. They take care of all parts of a person's experience. You don’t just look after mental health and the trauma; you offer a lot of other services too. You help the clients with any other issues that they have. You are in contact with social workers and solicitors. You help with housing, language courses and information that people need to feel more connected with this community in Oxford. Refugee Resource deserves all the help and all the funds that anybody can give.”