Nevada is from West Africa, and has endured the humiliation of detention and destitution on multiple occasions since her husband passed away. She is one of 300 people at risk of lock-change eviction by Serco.
“This morning, a housing officer came to my house, harassing me, saying that I’m an overstayer. I have an appointment to go to Liverpool next month, Serco is not aware. Surely, once you have booked an appointment you are in the system? They’re harassing me, saying all sorts.
“I was in Yarl’s Wood for 3 months. Three good months. Any kind of sickness you have in detention, they think you are making it up, to try and avoid being deported.
“My life is put on hold. What I wanted to achieve, I can’t. I’m in limbo. I’ve applied for uni. My first application years ago was successful, but I couldn’t go because of my situation. I have applied again, but now universities are responding saying that I’ve been out of the education system too long. Based on that they can’t accept me. I’ve applied for college again, trying to go back to school, trying to live a normal life.
“I came to this country when I was 25 years old. Now I am 35, turning 36, and I’m still the same. What have I achieved? What have I achieved?”
