Ahmad first came to Pendle New Neighbours (PNN) in early September 2022, shortly after his arrival in Nelson. He was an asylum seeker and had been placed in a house together with three other asylum seeker men.
Ahmad is 31 years old and comes from As-Suwayda, a county which is in south-western Syria. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Damascus University.
Ahmad’s first request of PNN was to help him to improve his English. He underwent an assessment, and he was placed in the appropriate informal ESOL class. It was soon apparent that he already had a good command of the English language. He demonstrated a natural confidence and ability to engage with others, despite his recent experiences, having fled from war torn Syria. Ahmad has been a regular attender at the ESOL classes and could always be relied on to help others in his class, as appropriate. He has proved himself to be hard working and extremely eager to learn. Not only was he keen to participate in these classes, but he was signposted to the local college to study GCSE English Language, Literature and Maths.
Importantly, Ahmad has also demonstrated a capacity to adapt and learn the customs and procedures that are specific to living in the UK. It has been significant that he has shown initiative, sometimes with the minimum of guidance, to find his way through the challenges of seeking accommodation as he is relocating to the south of Manchester; to prepare documents such as his CV; to transfer his GCSE courses from one educational establishment to another; and most importantly, receiving his Leave to Remain as a Refugee. PNN has supported Ahmad with these steps.
On the 26th of January, Nelson Library had been chosen to host the celebration event in recognition of Lancashire Libraries receiving a special Libraries of Sanctuary Award. The event was attended by local dignitaries, senior members from the county libraries, members of the Lancashire Resettlement Team, PNN members, as well as several refugees and asylum seekers. There were the inevitable speeches, some entertainment and food provided by the refugees and asylum seekers.
When we were seeking contributions to the cultural entertainment, Ahmad offered to recite an Arabic poem, Nothing Impresses Me by the Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish. It was a beautifully accomplished rendition.
The 29th of December was an important date for Ahmad. He was granted refugee status.
As is customary with the receipt of such news, Ahmad was required to leave his Home Office accommodation within 28 days. This prompted many decisions, and in particular, where was he going to live? He discussed this at length with members of PNN and then resolved to move to Manchester where he would be better placed to seek professional employment. He also intended to apply to a university to undertake a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. A member of PNN provided a reference for this purpose.
On Sunday 5th February, Ahmad moved from Pendle to the south of Manchester to live in some temporary accommodation provided by Refugees at Home.
Before leaving, Ahmad said “There were lots of things that Pendle New Neighbours has helped me with. Firstly, PNN has provided a huge support morally and technically starting with their ESOL interesting classes and the amazing teachers who have been always kind and the relationships quickly developed so they became friends, some of them always come to visit and check out if I need anything.
There is also a weekly meeting at the drop-in which helped me a lot to make friends from different cultures.
PNN has been always there to help me with paperwork like when I applied for HC2 certificate. When I received an invitation letter to attend the interview about my asylum case, I was given a lift to Bradford by one of the teachers of PNN. Also, they will help me to move to Manchester.”
Ahmed has since learned that he has been offered a place at Newcastle University to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.