Long term unemployed asylum seeker gets work, thanks to WDH

An Asylum Seeker who fled her home country due to persecution has thanked Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) for helping her get a job after seven years of unemployment.

After becoming involved in an international incident in her native Philippines, Patria Hernandez came to the UK in 2002 but was unable to work in her adopted country due to Visa restrictions.

However, she recently gained a Work Visa and set about finding work.

“It was frustrating not being able to work,” recalls Patria. “During the time I couldn’t work I was able to spend good time with my daughter Julianna, but as soon as I got my Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK I wanted to get back into work.

“Now that Julianna is 11 years old and becoming more independent I was more determined than ever to find work.

“I contacted Julie Srivastava at WDH and went to see her. I showed her my CV and she said she would help me. It wasn’t long before she called me to say she might have something for me.”

Before she left the Philippines, Patria worked in an internet café and had experience working in the duty free industry, but she said her attitude was that she would take whatever she could find – she just wanted to work!

“Julie called me to say she had found a job that I might be interested in. A man was looking for someone to look after his elderly mother – and he said he would prefer a carer who was Filipino or Thai.

“Straight away I told Julie I was very interested in the job and not long after I was successful in my application.

“I now have a job and I am very happy. Julie and WDH worked very hard and have made a big difference to my family’s life.”

Julie, Community Employment Advisor for WDH, paid tribute to Patria’s attitude.

“Patria was determined to get work,” says Julie. “I was happy that I could help her find employment. She came to see me at one of the drop-in sessions at the library and I found out what type of work she was looking for, and we took it from there.

“We work in partnership with Wakefield Council’s A2E ‘Breakthrough to Work’ team and Job Centre Plus, which means anyone seeking work has a lot of people and resources at their disposal to get them into the work force and earning a salary.

“Even if they have no experience or any skills we can find them educational courses to help.

“I would say to anyone wanting work or information on courses in their local area that they shouldn’t be embarrassed if they have no skills or education. We are helping many people. Just ask!”

Anyone interested in learning skills or finding a job can meet Julie at drop-in sessions held at Airedale Library every Tuesday morning from 9am, or phone Julie on 07920 020 734 / 01977 788 835.