DOREEN HENGARI

Doreen Hengari is the founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Asylum Seekers And Refugee Support Sanctuary CIC (ASARSS). She is a qualified social worker by profession and holds a Diploma in Access to Higher Education: Social Science from Yale College in Wrexham and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from the University of Chester.

During her time at College and at the University she gained valuable experience in the Health & Social Care Sector which gave her knowledge and skills to use every day. She has worked in different volunteering positions, work placement roles. While running the operations of ASARSS CIC, Doreen is employed part time in the Health & Social Care sector working for the NHS Mersey Care Trust as a Health Care Assistant at a mental health hospital.

Doreen is very driven, highly motivated and proficient professional with extensive experience in leading Operations, Projects and staff in Healthcare and Community organisations. Before moving to the UK, Doreen was employed in various sectors such as working as a stock controller and later promoted to a Production Manager in a Cut and Polish Diamond Factory. She later was employed at the City of Windhoek as a Business Registration Officer and before her move to the UK, she worked for the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Asylum Seekers And Refugee Support Sanctuary CIC Project is borne out of Doreen lived immigration experience as someone seeking asylum herself and later being granted refugee status. While managing the complicated asylum process herself and how it can impact on people's physical and mental health and well-being, the lack of experts and culturally competent services for BAME and migrant communities, Doreen has felt the need to share her lived experience and to further advocate and support those that are still going through the process. While waiting for her asylum decision, Doreen has volunteered for agencies such as BAWSO in Wrexham which provide advice, services and support to black minority ethnic communities and individuals in Wales who are affected by abuse, violence, and exploitation. She also worked at a night shelter for the Whitechapel an organisation that support the vulnerable homeless people around Liverpool. As part of her work placement while at the University, her first placement was in the Voluntary sector with Asylum Link in Liverpool supporting those seeking asylum in the UK and those granted Refugee status. Her second placement was with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust under the Homelessness Outreach Team to support homeless people who present with mental health issues.

Doreen worked as a caseworker for Refugee Women Connect an agency that support women only asylum seekers and refugees. As part of casework, Doreen was involved in providing support to women refugees and asylum seekers in initial accommodation, hostels and hotels. Supporting them in referring them for legal support, work with the legal profession in the preparation of immigration cases. It also involved provide advocacy and representation for families and individuals facing crisis and liaise and network with other agencies, social services, home office, accommodation provider and attend relevant meetings where required. She supported women fleeing domestic violence and acted as a safeguarding officer for the team.

When Doreen took up a course at the University of Chester, she was vocal and passionate in addressing the needs of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in sharing her knowledge and experience on the asylum process. She continued to focus her career on the Asylum and Immigration cause. Doreen noticed a gap in the well-being awareness and health needs of many in the BAME and emerging communities including Refugees and Asylum Seekers, as well as adequate statutory community health support. She then registered for a six month course in Social Prescribing which refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services to support their health and wellbeing. Doreen recognized that people health and wellbeing are determined mostly by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, that is why Doreen saw the need to bring in social prescribing in addressing people's needs in a holistic way. ASARSS social prescribing project also aims to support individuals to take great control of their own health. Doreen's aim for ASARSS project is to address this and prevents patients from the community to present in crisis stage which has huge human and financial cost.

Doreen has shared her story on different platforms and she joined her former University as a Visiting Lecturer.  She continues to do that as a way to inspire others and to support those vulnerable people in our communities.

Doreen's motto is

"There Is a Light at the End of the Tunnel"

Life in Spectrum is funded by donations and complies with the strictest NGO financial management requirements.

VISION

ASSARSS CIC's vision is for asylum seekers and refugees to be respected and to become valued members in the communities they find themselves.

MISSION

ASARSS CIC's mission is to advocate, give practical support, refer/signpost, facilitate and promote the integration of asylum seekers and refugees living in the UK and to enable them to become part of an inclusive UK society by:

• Increasing the awareness of people about the plight of the asylum seekers and refugees situation in the UK and by helping to foster positive relationships with each other.
• Supporting asylum seekers fleeing persecution and treating them with respect and dignity so that they receive the same care and access to opportunities as any other person in the UK.
• Empowering asylum seekers and refugees to be self-sufficient so that they can be recognized as valuable contributors to the community and the economy.
• Seeking to address the service gaps in support networks by quickly addressing unmet and emerging needs.

VALUES

ASSARSS CIC’s core values comprise:

• Compassion – We demonstrate empathy by encouraging and supporting people’s self-determination and strengths.
• Support – Our grassroots services are formed to fill in the service gaps without overlapping with other complementary charities
• Empowerment – We help people build their confidence and independence
• Independence – ASARSS CIC is not aligned with any specific religion or political party
• Agility – We remain flexible to respond to changing needs
• Inclusive – We assist all asylum seekers and refugees regardless of race, religion, gender, health or sexuality