GA is a 42-year-old disabled single mother from North Africa, living in Enfield with her three daughters, all over the age of ten. She first came to Stand Together Network for help with multiple issues that were affecting her family’s wellbeing—from immigration concerns to housing instability, health barriers, digital exclusion, and even basic waste disposal challenges.

GA’s immigration situation was complex. She needed help securing her biometric card and, more urgently, legal support to apply for her daughters’ immigration papers. We referred her to a solicitor under Legal Aid who specialises in the ten-year visa route, helping her make real progress in securing her family’s legal status.

When GA was having issues with waste piling up outside her property due to missing blue bins, we supported her to access her council account online and contacted the local authority on her behalf. After identifying that the issue was due to an address change not being updated properly, we worked with the council to correct the records, and new bins were delivered promptly—restoring a clean and hygienic living space for her family.

GA also faced digital barriers and lacked formal qualifications, which made it difficult for her to manage daily tasks or look for employment. We enrolled her in ESOL and digital skills classes so she could begin learning English and basic computer literacy. These steps helped build her confidence and gave her new opportunities to grow and prepare for future work.

On the housing side, GA was registered with the council but had very few points due to a medical condition that had not been properly recorded. We advocated on her behalf with the review team, provided supporting documentation, and successfully increased her housing register points to 250. She now has access to the online bidding system and is eligible to bid for a three-bedroom home. She also receives an annual points increase based on maintaining her tenancy.

GA has come a long way. With the right support, she’s now more independent, her children’s immigration status is being addressed, her housing situation is improving, and she’s building skills for the future.