Mika’s story

Coming to the UK in 2016, Mika demonstrated incredible courage to overcome the challenges of building a life in a new country whilst caring for her disabled mother. Here she shares her journey from education to employment and reflects on her long-term goals.  

1. Where are you originally from, and when did you first come to the UK?   

I am from Azerbaijan and came to the UK on 21 February, 2016. I still remember that day. Isn’t it strange remembering the dates while other people do not even remember their anniversaries?   

2. What challenges did you face as a refugee?    

As a refugee, I faced many challenges – navigating a new system while dealing with language barriers, homelessness, and the responsibility of caring for my disabled mother. It was overwhelming at times, especially not knowing where to turn for support.   

For example, when I was granted refugee status, my mother and I became homeless and had to rely on the local council for support. At the same time, I was trying to continue my education while being my mother’s full-time carer – she’s deaf, nonverbal, and disabled, so I’ve always had a lot of responsibility at home.  

Significant language barriers and a lack of understanding of the system made it hard to access the help we needed. Despite all of this, I stayed focused on my goals. I pushed through university and got my degree, and along the way, I became passionate about helping others in similar situations. These experiences were tough, but they gave me resilience, empathy, and a strong drive to make a difference.  

3. How did you first learn about Breaking Barriers?    

The first time I heard about Breaking Barriers was from Carolyn Burke. She used to work at Refugee Education UK, and when she moved to Breaking Barriers, she told me: “Come to us once you’ve been granted status.” I don’t remember exactly how I got referred to Breaking Barriers – it all happened suddenly. But I’m really glad it did.  

4. Tell us about the support you got from Breaking Barriers.    

The support I received from Breaking Barriers has been such an important part of my journey. While I was still studying, my caseworker was Anisa – she was absolutely lovely and incredibly supportive. She always tried to arrange in-person appointments, when possible, really prioritised my needs and interests, and even did her own research to help me out. She encouraged me to apply for a vacation scheme, and I actually got through the first stage! I didn’t make it to the next round, but just getting that far was a huge motivation at the time.  

When Anisa told me she was leaving Breaking Barriers, I was really sad. But I remember her saying: “I’m sure I’ll see or hear from you again, Mika – you’re so active in the charity sector.” That meant a lot.  

After that, there was a bit of a gap, but then I got a call from Abdul, who introduced himself as my new caseworker. Bless him – he’s been even more supportive. By then, I had graduated and felt quite lost, unsure of what direction to take. We started having regular online check-ins every two weeks, and he took the time to understand how he could help. He listened patiently to all my worries – and even my rants!  

Thanks to Abdul’s support and encouragement, I eventually got a full-time role at the Refugee and Migrant Centre as an adviser and became a Lived Experience Consultant at Breaking Barriers. So far, it’s been an amazing journey with Breaking Barriers, and I’m so grateful for everything.  

5. What skills and opportunities did you gain through Breaking Barriers?    

How to prepare for an interview and improve a CV. I also had a few online calls with experts that Abdul arranged to help me.