Shekha’s story
“Knowing that there is someone there to support me and to help me out when I really need it has made such a difference to my life.”
I arrived in the UK in August 2020 after escaping from Somalia. I had been separated from my children and had endured years of fear and violence in my home country. My husband was killed during the conflict, so I knew I was the only person who could take care of our children. It broke my heart to be separated from them but it gave me the determination to make a better life for us.
I have an injury to my hand that I sustained back in Somalia and just over a year ago I was attending my GP for treatment. I was referred to the Community Link Worker (CLW) within the surgery and they have helped me and my family so much. I have learned to speak English since living in the UK but I struggle to read and write and sometimes to understand complex conversations but my CLW has been an incredible support.
I am in my second year of a design course at college and I hope to go on to study English next year. I believe that if I can complete my course and my hand continues to improve, I will be able to work and support my family.
In January 2024 I was finally reunited with my children. My son is fifteen, my daughter is fourteen, my youngest is nine and I also care for my sister’s child who is sixteen now. I struggle sometimes as a single parent but no more than others.
I like living in Glasgow and my children are settled and enjoying school but our home is very overcrowded. We currently stay in a two bedroom house but there are five of us and my son struggles without his own space. He has been sleeping in the open plan living room kitchen area but it would be great if he had his own space to do his school work. The CLW has really helped me and knowing that there is someone there to support me and to help me out when I really need it has made such a difference to my life. I am so much happier now, if you had seen me before I was reunited with my children you would have thought I was 20 years older.
Shekha’s story is part of the latest Humans of Scotland publication – Community Links Worker Edition. The book is available to read here.
Read all Humans of Scotland stories here.
End of page.