Empower disadvantaged Armenians with legal advice

CAIA’s advisory services are much more than about helping people gain access to their statutory and legal rights about immigration, entitlements, housing and employment.

We accompany the disadvantaged, voiceless and marginalised in their life journey to greater independence, empowerment and fulfilment for improvements the quality of their lives.

During 1^st April 2020- 31st March 2021 CAIA’s advisor provision is provided practical advice, information and support face-to-face, by phone and email five days a week (240 sessions) benefiting 450Armenians and those connected to them from across London who were assisted with a broad range of enquiries including: housing, benefit entitlements, employment, education/career, debt, health/care, immigration and nationality, asylum, legal issues and other matters. Advice was provided on 1762 times, further 4919 interventions, referrals and actions/communications made on behalf of clients.

These enabled  them to obtain a total of £360,859.89in financial support and entitlements.

Additionally, non-financial support was provided, resulting in

• 39 people  helped with various immigration issues including British citizenship/ EEA settled/pre-settled status, indefinite leave to remain// spouse settled status
• 9 people were helped to enrol and improve their English language to improve job prospects and 4 people obtained permission to work in the UK / obtain a national insurance number /have their international qualifications recognised in the UK through UK NARIC (recently changed to UK ENIC)
• 7 people found work as a result of being helped with their CV/volunteering opportunities & references.
• 3 disabled people helped successfully gain a blue badge / freedom pass / Over 60s Oyster/ to improve travel/access
• A mother with 2 children was helped to secure a nursery place /free school meals /Healthy Start Vouchers
• Translated official documents from Armenian into English benefitting 44 people
• 50 digitally excluded, elderly or illiterate people help to successfully complete their 2021 Census online. (See Recognition Certificate awarded to CAIA)

Behind the above static are real people such as 71-year old Mr A who came to North London with his wife from Ukraine 8 years ago to join their only daughter who is married to an EEA citizen.  CAIA’s Advisory Service supported them before and after BREXIT to help them settle as part of an EEA family and claim Pension Credit when he became eligible. In 2018, his wife passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer which effected the whole family.  Up until then, he, his wife, daughter  and son in law and their two young children all lived under one overcrowded roof.  The bereavement and the overcrowded accommodation during the pandemic led to the deterioration of his relationship with his daughter who had lost her job.

This year we helped Mr A secure sheltered accommodation.  Considering the fragility of his EEA status and BREXIT, Mr A wanted to apply for British Citizenship. In view of his age, Mr A was exempt from English language and Life in the UK Tests. CAIA’s Advisory Service guided him and his daughter through the application process and mandatory documents necessary for the application to be a successful. Mr A has subsequently attended his Citizenship ceremony where he was awarded British citizenship.

Below is some feedback from our clients:

• I am really happy. the service was excellent. I feel that I have been listened to and my problem is less of a burden.
• The Advice Worker was very good in explaining my immigration options
• As an Armenian there is no other organisation that provide this professional service for our Community. I am deeply grateful for that.
• I would have been lost. Without this advice centre it would be very difficult to get access to the important information because of the language barrier.
• The CAIA are advocating and making my voice be heard, because without them, the landlord was simply ignoring my cries for help.
• Keep the service please - my family and our community need CAIA

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