My life and wellbeing as an asylum seeker in Glasgow: Menesia’s story

Volunteering: a “jack-of-all-trades”

With a diversely skilled background as a nurse and midwife, radio station manager, UN coordinator, and prison officer, to name only a few of her previous careers, Menesia describes herself as a “jack-of-all-trades”. She is passionate about volunteering and sharing those skills with others, as well as learning new ones. The Mental Health Foundation is one of the lucky organisations to benefit from her skills, passion and determination. 

Volunteering can be a valuable activity for refugees and asylum seekers, offering the opportunity to learn, make connections, and get the psychological benefits that come with giving. And for organisations, having volunteers with diverse experience as an asylum seeker or refugee can bring huge benefits. 

Menesia describes her experiences since arriving in Glasgow as mostly positive. She gives a lot of credit to the people of Glasgow, who she describes as “one-of-a-kind”, treating her as “one of their own”, and the city as both “peaceful and loud”. 

“If you ask for directions in Glasgow, you’ll know if they’re actually from Glasgow because they’ll always help you”.

Finding hope in the hardest times

She acknowledges the tough experiences, too. Menesia was staying at the Park Inn Hotel in Glasgow at the time of the tragic incident involving asylum seekers who were housed there. She also spoke about the Kenmure Street Home Office raid, which led to a community protest resulting in the release of the asylum seekers who had been detained. In both these incidents, Menesia remembered the way the people of Glasgow supported them.  

“The people of Glasgow came together in masses to support them. They reached beyond colour, beyond place of origin - beyond all.” 

With the current climate of negative portrayals of refugees and asylum seekers and their scapegoating in politics, it can often feel like there’s rarely positive stories. But these positive stories – about camaraderie between us, or success and celebration – are all so important. Seeing the people of Glasgow protest wrongful treatment of asylum seekers and refugees wouldn’t only instil hope in those in Glasgow like Menesia, but refugees and asylum seekers across the UK who may not be feeling welcome.

Looking after your mental health during the asylum process

Menesia describes the asylum process as “stressful” and something you cannot go through alone.

“Everyone needs help through this. You had a life, people you want to be with, and you miss them”. 

She encourages people to reach out to organisations for help, as they can help you bridge the gaps. 

Talking about managing her mental health, she describes it as knowing your strengths and weaknesses. “Sometimes, you need someone”. She sees mental health as very important. “If your mental health isn’t ok, then you’re not ok”. 

Working with the Mental Health Foundation

For Menesia, part of how she’s has dealt with the stress of the asylum process has been by learning as much as possible and seizing every opportunity that’s come her way. “There is so much space for you to grow as a person. If I don’t take the opportunity, it’s only myself who loses”.

This is how Menesia came to be a volunteer with the Mental Health Foundation across a number of different projects and events. 

“The Mental Health Foundation recognises your skills and value. They treat you as one of your own, no different than anyone else. I feel like I belong.”

Menesia explained about how the new Navigate podcast came about. “I learnt all these things myself – getting a bank account, healthcare, working. No-one told us how to do this. So, we created the podcast about these topics (education, banking and finance, volunteering, and work) to be a tool for others, to help them navigate it”. You can listen to all 4 episodes now. 

Listen now

Menesia’s advice for other asylum seekers or refugees

Menesia’s advice to asylum seekers and refugees arriving in the UK is, “reach out to the people of this country.” She explains that the asylum process is hard – so it’s important to reach out. There are lots of organisations who can help, you just need to take that step and ask for it. 

She also says, “don’t rush, it’s not fast. Be patient.”. A lot of the asylum process involves waiting, and not knowing what’s coming next. For Menesia, the way she coped with this was by taking action and pursuing all the opportunities she could. “Appreciate what you have now, like your safety and your life. Ask for help. And take all the opportunities you get.” 

For Menesia, being known, valued and understood is really important. 

 “Learn and teach your culture. You’re in a new space to appreciate. So, try to understand it. And also tell people who you are – let them know you.” 

When asked what’s next for her, Menesia spoke about writing a book to tell her story. And the Mental Health Foundation team can’t wait to read it.