and the dream came true!
Nurse Rishan in her hospital scrubs
By Rishan, Media Ambassador (and Nurse!)
Looking back on my journey as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child (UASC) in the UK, I never imagined that my life would take the turn it has.
As a young refugee, adapting to a new environment was both difficult and overwhelming. Learning a new language, navigating an entirely different culture and dealing with the uncertainty of the future were some of the many challenges I faced. However, these obstacles shaped me into the person I am today: resilient, determined and grateful for the opportunity to build a new life.
Arriving in the UK was far from easy. No matter how much a person can describe the experience, words can never fully capture the emotions of leaving your family behind, facing a dangerous journey to seek safety. There were moments when I wondered whether I would ever find peace, security or a sense of belonging.
But despite the hardships, I also found strength in the people who helped me along the way: my foster family, KRAN, friends and many others who supported me to become the person I am today. Slowly, I began to understand this new world and more importantly, I began to believe that I could carve out a meaningful future for myself.
That future became clearer when I realised my passion for healthcare. As I grew older, I knew I wanted to give back to the community that had given me safety and opportunity.
Becoming a nurse felt like the perfect way to do this. Nursing is about care, empathy and support values that have been central to my own journey. I wanted to help others, particularly those who are vulnerable, just as I was when I first arrived in the UK.
Today, I am proud to say that I am a newly-qualified nurse and am working at a local hospital. The road to get here wasn’t always smooth, but every challenge I faced as a refugee gave me the strength and determination to succeed.
As a nurse, I now have the privilege of helping people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Whether it’s providing comfort to a patient in pain, supporting families in distress, or helping someone navigate their health challenges, I feel honoured to be in a position where I can make a difference.