A SYRIAN war refugee now training to be a nurse says she ‘owes everything’ to a woman’s refuge in Winsford now threatened with closure.

The University of Chester and Leighton Hospital student, who wishes to remain anonymous, says 'she would do anything' to make Weaver Vale Housing Trust change its mind about closing Cotswold House.  

She was taken in by the homeless women and baby refuge after fleeing war-torn Syria, and later Jordan, in 2019.  

The 25-year-old says, as a woman, she didn't feel protected in Jordan and when she started to question this aspect of her Islamic faith, it made her fear for her life. 

She arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker in 2020 and was housed in a Home Office accomodation facility.

The woman was given refugee status after just three months, which meant she was free to work or study, but it also meant she had to find her own place to live.

Speaking nearly no English and with no references or credit history, she found herself homeless, with no idea how to find help.

After hearing about Cotswold House in January 2021, the Jobcentre helped her get in touch.

“Straight away they said they would accept me,” she said.  

“It was raining when I arrived, and I was soaking wet when they opened the door.

“They were so welcoming, and the house was so warm.

“They showed me my room, and I didn’t think I'd have a mattress or sheets, but literally everything was provided.

“I couldn’t believe it. I honestly thought a miracle was happening to me.”

She was just 22 when she moved into Cotswold House and had no clue how things work in the UK.

“They taught me everything. They enrolled me on online courses first, to help me learn English.

“Gemma, one of the staff, used to sit and read children's books with me to help me improve.

“When I arrived, I was in a dark place. I was struggling with depression and anxiety with what I’d been through in Syria and Jordan.

“They always had activities, and tried to get me to socialise, even though my English was very bad. They never saw that as a barrier.

“They asked me how they could help me improve my mental health. I told them I loved walking, but I didn’t have any proper shoes. They were all too small.

“They bought me a pair of good walking shoes, which I still have now, and still wear.”

After six months adjusting to her new country, staff at Cotswold House helped her secure and furnish her own house.

They even helped her with her university application which has set her on the path to a rewarding career as a nurse.

She added: “They helped me get my own place, they provided me with carpets, a fridge, a TV, everything.

“Even now, I still knock on their door when I need help and they always welcome me. I still have a lot to learn about this country.

“Having this charity in Winsford to support women really make its a wonderful community. It’s unique, and it’s 24 hours a day.

“If it closed, I think I’d really struggle even now because I still get their advice, and they ask for nothing in return.”

“I’d do anything to help them. Lots of women need their help.”

Gareth Rigby, executive director of customer, place and services at WVHT, explained due to increasing costs, the trust was no longer in a position to run Cotswold House.

He said: "Like other landlords, the trust has had to make tough financial decisions as we feel the impact of the increasing costs of running our services.

"We are committed to ensuring vital investment in our existing homes and services will continue, however, we are no longer in a position to run the specialist services provided at Cotswold House.

"We are working closely with affected residents to support them to find suitable alternative accommodation and the proposed closure would not take place until these supported moves are completed."