RMC celebrated five years of working in Walsall with a showcase event, highlighting some of the amazing work and impact it has had on the community. Nicoleta and Georgeta spoke during the event around their journeys and the impact of Brexit on clients in the area.
Nicoleta’s work with the Roma community
RMC Caseworker Nicoleta is Romanian herself, and began her journey with RMC as a volunteer in 2018. In 2019 she was taken on as a full time staff member and now supports her clients on a wide range of issues. Following Brexit, EU citizens have needed a visa to live and work in the UK, and the deadline to apply was 30th June 2021. Nicoleta has been supporting many clients to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to ensure they can continue to work and live in the UK.
RMC Caseworker Nicoleta is Romanian herself, and began her journey with RMC as a volunteer in 2018. In 2019 she was taken on as a full time staff member and now supports her clients on a wide range of issues. Following Brexit, EU citizens have needed a visa to live and work in the UK, and the deadline to apply was 30th June 2021. Nicoleta has been supporting many clients to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to ensure they can continue to work and live in the UK.
Some of the challenges we faced were that the majority of them [from the Roma community] had very little knowledge about the EU settlement scheme (EUSS) rules…. Many of them failed to realised that the EUSS was relevant to them and their children, for example if their child was born in the UK.
Nicoleta, RMC Caseworker
There were also issues around permanent addresses and having documentation to prove they had lived in the UK, even those that had been here for many years.
Nicoleta worked with many members of the Roma community to act as their legal representative to break down the barriers for people to apply and ensure there were no communication issues.
When a client pops into the office and shares their good news about a successful outcome to their application, it gives me a lot of job satisfaction”
Georgeta’s case
Georgeta is a member of the Roma community and was also one of those that initially applied for her EUSS with the help of a friend. Not knowing there was follow up she had to do, it was rejected and she arrived at RMC seeking support to reapply.
During the showcase event, Georgeta spoke of her gratitude to Nicoleta for helping her with her EUSS application, which has now been granted so she can continue to live and work in the UK with her two sons. They have all lived here for many years and Georgeta wants to continue to build her life and improve her English.
Nicoleta helped me too much times to sort status, sort school and to help me learn English. I am very happy to be in this community and for the help Nicolata and RMC gave me to get my life settled.
Georgeta, RMC Client
See more about our Walsall showcase event here
