Nasruddin Ahmad has been supported by the Bardsley Youth Project
Nasruddin Ahmad has been supported by the Bardsley Youth Project(Image: CoventryLive)
After settling in Coventry from Sudan, Nasruddin Ahmad has actively pursued every opportunity to succeed. After a long journey through the asylum process, he now says his new life in the UK is ‘perfect.’
When he arrived in Coventry in 2018, Nasruddin, known as Nas, found support and stability through the Bardsley Youth Project. CEO Simon Ree said the charity is committed to helping vulnerable young people access safe and secure housing.
Nas, 26, has seized every opportunity since arriving in the UK and is currently studying Economics at City College. Despite arriving with very little English, he has thrived, forming friendships and establishing himself in his new surroundings.
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While living in the Coventry Foyer, Nas met Simon from the Bardsley Youth Project. Simon got to know him by playing board games, sharing snacks and learning about his journey from Sudan.
After applying to the Home Office, Nas was granted permission to stay in the UK and provided with housing. Simon helped make his new flat feel like home by providing some of the belongings he needed.
One of the most rewarding parts of the job for Simon is moving-in day as he gets to see the difference he makes for someone in need. Nas told us he was ‘excited’ for what lies ahead.
Of his new life in Coventry, Nas said: “Everything you want, they help you! It is very good. It is perfect.”
Simon told CoventryLive: “What we have done for Nas is lots of little things that have had a massive impact.”
CEO Simon Ree(Image: CoventryLive)
Founded in 2003, the Bardsley Youth Project supports young people aged 16 to 26 who are at risk of homelessness or sofa-surfing. Bardsley has increased the number of young people it supports by 47 per cent compared with the previous year and has helped hundreds of young people in Coventry.
Grant Fundraiser Pat Clarke said: “We are small but mighty, and we are a place where young people can come back time and time again, and we accept everybody. It is about hope in a lot of ways. Some of them regard us as family because they can come and talk to us about anything, and we will support them through anything.”
Simon said they have received an increase in asylum seekers like Nas, with 60 per cent of new referrals now coming from those arriving in the UK. He explained: “We have seen a sharp rise in young male asylum seekers coming to us after being made homeless because they have been granted leave to remain in the UK.
“We have helped as many as we can find a hostel place and word of mouth has meant that we have at least three guys on average every week asking us for help to find a place to live as they are rough sleeping.”
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