Speaking from experience

Salma came to the UK when she married a British husband. The marriage turned sour when her husband started being abusive towards her. Salma took their young son and fled home. However, separating from her husband threatened Salma’s right to live in the UK.  

“I did not have any family, I did not have any support from anyone else, the Law Centre was the only place I could come. I had just a week until deportation. If the Law Centre hadn’t helped me, I would have been sent back to Pakistan. Because I was fleeing domestic violence, the community where I belong wouldn’t accept me, because it’s a matter of honour and a matter of shame to get separated or divorced. I’m even scared that they might have killed me in the name of honour. I have a three year old son. If it wasn’t for the Law Centre I might not even be alive today”. 

Lorraine, a young mother from Derry, was devastated when she was told she had Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a degenerative and terminal illness.

This was just the start of her ordeal. After medically retiring, she was still required to search for work for months in order to get Universal Credit, while waiting for a medical assessment to get Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Instead of enjoying the little time she had left with her loved ones, she was trapped in bureaucracy.

The government allows terminally ill people a ‘fast track’ to getting benefits if they can prove that they are ‘reasonably’ expected to die within six months. Over time, this compassionate rule became a hurdle when Lorraine’s doctors could not guarantee that she had less than six months to live. Her Law Centre helped her challenge the policy in court. She was awarded compensation for her distress and eventually the terminal illness benefits rules were changed.

“The process of seeking to obtain benefits has continually exacerbated my stress levels and anxiety. I have had to constantly fight to get the same entitlement to benefits as other people who are terminally ill… I wouldn’t wish my experience on anyone. I believe the system has failed me and the approach to dealing with people who have a terminal illness needs urgently addressed. I have accepted my path in life now but please don’t put anyone else through it.”

Lorraine passed away in July 2022, after fighting bravely not just for herself but for others.

Auriol lives in Bristol. She is registered blind and partially deaf. Normally, she gets on with her life just fine, using the help available to people with disabilities.

However, during the pandemic, her local Sainsbury's supermarket suspended the Assisted Shopping service she depended on, because of social distancing. For months in lockdown, she was forced to ask for favours from volunteers to help her get her groceries.

Bristol Law Centre supported Auriol to sue Sainsbury's for discrimination. She won, and the judge agreed that the supermarket chain did not fulfil its duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ so she could continue using the store without finding her own assistance.

“Bringing a civil case, such as this one, in the small claims' court was stressful, daunting and hard work, particularly when faced with a defendant so much larger and more powerful than myself. I would not have been able to bring this case without the support of Bristol Law Centre, and I thank them most sincerely for this assistance. I am now on good terms with the [supermarket branch].”