Mahmoud

A journey

Mahmoud was born in Sudan, where his childhood was shaped by conflict and poverty. He travelled to the UK via Northern France as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child, seeking safety and a future without fear. He fought his way onto one of the small boats and embarked on a traumatic journey across the English Channel.

Finding Rock Trust

Mahmoud found his way to Scotland where his case was picked up by East Lothian Council. They referred him to our My Place project (Housing Support), so we could provide him the wraparound care he needed to help him manage independent living and thrive in his new home and community. He particularly wanted support improving his mental and physical health.

Mahmoud began meeting regularly with one of our Project Worker’s Colin, and they built up a trusting relationship. Mahmoud shared with Colin that he wanted to learn how to swim, helping him to process and overcome the traumas of his journey across the Channel. Colin did some research and made all the arrangements, and Mahmoud committed himself to this new challenge. After a period of just a few weeks, he succeeded in conquering his fears and learned how to swim. He and Colin celebrated this milestone with a swim at Portobello Beach.

“When I came here I felt lonely, no one with me, I knew no one. When I met Colin I found a friend. They are a friend. It's not like work. We go shopping, for coffee, for walks. And I want to thank him.” Mahmoud

Mahmoud is still only 18 years old, but he has already achieved so much and grown in confidence. He recently secured the Right to Remain, and has begun working at a café. He now wants to share his experience with others. He and Colin are working with a filmmaker from Queen Margaret University to turn his inspiring story into a short film.

Our work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are particularly at risk of homelessness, lacking the support networks and knowledge to navigate their way to safety. As the refugee crisis continues to build globally, we are increasingly working with young people who have had painful childhood experiences and are now far from their family homes. We offer them person-centred, trauma-informed support to prevent a return to homelessness – so they can have the futures they deserve.