Senay arrived to the UK from Eritrea in February 2004 where he claimed asylum. He had to flee Eritrea, due to religious and political persecution and torture. He was accommodated with NASS at Milbank, Ashford Induction Centre for 6 days , and then moved to Bradford where he stayed for a further seven months.
In October 2004 he was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. His NASS support ended. He began to look at different communities in Bradford where he felt he could settle but he described his situation as one of being isolated, lonely and depressed. To try to cope with his situation he attended English and computer classes.
During a winter spent sleeping rough he was referred to Leeds Housing Advice and Prevention to LHC. Unfortunately there were no vacancies. He was offered alternative accommodation within LHC, but despite his current housing situation he was prepared to wait for a vacancy with the Naos project. Eventually he managed to locate a friend in Leeds. Together they became involved in the local Eritrean Church, where his religious, cultural and mental well being needs was met.
By the following February he’d found a self contained flat with Naos and was allocated a keyworker who helped to address his support needs.
In Eritrea Senay had studied up to degree level. This degree was not recognised in the Uk and he found himself feeling excluded. In order to move forward he decided to start again. With assistance from his keyworker he decided to undertake a qualification in Computer Studies as well as finding voluntary work with the refugee council.
When he left LHC he moved into a flat in Leeds and is now undertaking a degree in Computer Studies in Bradford with plans to become a consultant.
Although, until the situation in Eritrea changes, he is unable to visit his family he is now finally in regular contact with them once more.