Azif's story

Starting Again in the UK

Azif fled Pakistan in 2023 after a series of tragic events left him separated from his family. When he first arrived in the UK, he was thin, anxious and struggling with grief, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since May 2025, Response has supported him to rebuild his confidence, improve his wellbeing and work towards a more settled future, helping him find moments of laughter and hope despite the challenges he has faced.

Through Response’s supported housing programme, Azif received practical and emotional support tailored to his individual needs. This included help with his mental health, navigating complex processes and maintaining hope of being reunited with his family.

Life Before Response

Azif’s life in Pakistan had been marked by heartache. While living with his wife and children, his daughter became seriously ill and passed away after a short illness. Amid his grief, conflict within his local community forced him to flee his village, leaving his wife and infant son behind.

Arriving in the UK without his family, Azif faced the challenge of rebuilding his life while coping with the trauma of his experiences and uncertainty about the future. Having a safe and supportive environment was an important part of helping him begin to recover and regain his confidence.

Finding Safety, Stability and Support

Response provided Azif with supported accommodation and ongoing assistance to help him adjust to life in the UK. Having a stable place to live gave him a foundation from which to focus on his wellbeing, build his independence and begin planning for the future.

Response supported Azif with his PTSD and mental health needs, including referring him to a GP and helping him access support sessions. A professional translator through Clear Voice was also used to ensure Azif could communicate his needs, understand the support available to him and fully understand his housing agreement. This helped him participate more confidently in decisions about his accommodation and support.

Practical opportunities were also provided to help Azif establish a routine, improve his wellbeing and engage with his community. Through Serco, Response arranged a six-month gym membership, giving him an opportunity to exercise, develop a positive routine and support his physical and mental wellbeing.

Azif was able to stay connected with his family through telephone and video calls, helping him maintain these important relationships while they were apart. For many residents supported by Response, access to the SIM cards provided can also make a real difference, helping them stay connected with loved ones, access essential services and begin building connections in their new communities.

Working Towards Family Reunion

With support from Response, Azif applied to the Home Office for visas for his wife and son through the Reunion Project. The process was complicated by delays and changes to the scheme, requiring Azif to provide extensive supporting documentation, including marriage certificates, witness statements and medical evidence.

Response continued to guide and advocate for Azif throughout the process, helping him navigate the paperwork and remain focused on his goal. Response also worked alongside external support organisations to help ensure he could access the assistance he needed. This collaborative approach is an important part of providing effective, person-centred support.

In March 2026, Azif received life-changing news: the visas had been approved.

Overwhelmed with relief and emotion, he described the decision as “the most wonderful thing that has ever happened” to him. After years apart, he could finally look forward to being reunited with his wife and meeting his son again.

Continuing Support Towards Independence

After moving out of supported accommodation, Azif continued to receive support from Response for a further three months, helping him adjust to this next stage of his life and continue working towards greater independence.

For Azif, having a stable place to live, support with his mental health and guidance through the family reunion process helped him begin to look ahead with renewed hope. With the prospect of being reunited with his wife and son, he can now focus on building a future together.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on his family reunion, Azif shared that the decision had “dramatically changed three people’s lives forever”. He expressed deep gratitude to Allah and to Response for helping answer his prayers.

His story is a powerful reminder that rebuilding a life after trauma and separation takes time, patience and consistent support. By combining safe accommodation, mental health support, practical assistance and advocacy, Response helped Azif move towards a future that once felt out of reach.