When Amina first walked through the doors of Pathways in late April, she was exhausted—physically, emotionally, and mentally. She had fled a terrifying situation involving honour-based violence and had found temporary safety in a B&B placement arranged by Chesterfield Borough Council. But she was still carrying the heavy weight of trauma, fear, and isolation.
It was a Monday when Amina came in. She was quiet but determined. With no close friends nearby and no one she could turn to, she felt completely alone. Her mental health was suffering, and she wasn’t yet registered with a GP. We started by helping her plan for her safety—advising her on how to manage her phone and social media presence to reduce any risk of being found. She was given a letter to support her registration at a local GP and told about the women’s group running that Thursday. We also booked her an appointment right after the group, hoping to provide consistency and support.
That Thursday, Amina attended the women’s group—and something shifted. Being around others, sharing space and stories, seemed to lighten her emotional load. It was clear how much it meant to her to be seen, heard, and not judged. Encouraged by the positive experience, she followed through with her GP appointment, registered successfully, and was given medication to support her mental wellbeing.
With her consent, we reached out to Karma Nirvana, a charity that supports individuals fleeing honour-based abuse. They were able to offer her specialist counselling. A referral was also made to the Elm Foundation to request ongoing support and to apply for access to the Sanctuary Scheme, which could help make her home more secure. She was assigned an IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) to guide her through the next steps.
In mid-May, Amina was given the keys to a flat through CBC. Though it was her own space—a place to breathe—it was nearly empty, furnished only with a bed and some bedding. We ordered her a starter pack and submitted a DDF application. Unfortunately, because she wasn’t receiving benefits, she didn’t qualify for DDF support.
Her financial situation was precarious. Amina was a final-year student, but her family had taken control of her student loan. She was surviving on a hardship grant from university and statutory sick pay from a part-time job she could no longer safely attend. The job was based too close to her perpetrators—too risky now—so her employer had placed her on sick leave until a position opened nearby.
We reached out to Hope Community Church, who responded generously. Alongside the starter pack from Pathways, their help meant Amina now had the essentials—except for a cooker and washing machine. That’s when we contacted Ikon Church. They stepped in and secured funding for a brand-new washing machine, a valued and significant symbol of stability.
Since then, Amina has been continuing her work placement, inching closer to her university qualification. She managed to acquire a small hob and is now saving up to buy a cooker. Though her busy shifts have meant she hasn’t returned to the women’s group recently, she’s hopeful she can re-join when her schedule allows.
Amina’s journey is far from over, but her strength and persistence are unmistakable. From fleeing violence and isolation to finding her footing and returning to her career path, she has faced each obstacle with quiet courage. We remain by her side, proud of how far she’s come—and confident in where she’s heading.