Case study Photo: © Simon Rawles (BRC) “After I got my papers, I sought work and I’m working now […] Before I came to ask for assistance to reunite, I thought it was an easy thing. But it was not. “I went back to my lawyer who helped me with refugee status and she said I didn’t qualify for legal aid and more for refugee family reunion. My legal aid was for the application for [refugee] papers. She wanted £600 to help me with my family. I didn’t have £600, I’m only working with agencies really. Sometimes I work, sometimes I don’t. I didn’t have £600. “So I came back to the Red Cross and was introduced to my caseworker. I could never have made the application on my own. I’m not earning enough money to hire a lawyer. I wouldn’t know where to start. “I don’t agree with this being straightforward. There’s a legal piece to everything. Like applying for family reunion. It’s a legal thing to get approval from government. They want to see an argument being put across. “I’ve heard of people struggling until now in bringing their family over. It’s difficult.” Adult male sponsor, Zimbabwe