Community Links & Social Justice
Practical support and advocacy for clients’ holistic well-being.
What is our Community Links and Social Justice Team?
Nafsiyat's Community Links and Social Justice (CLSJ) team provide practical support to clients facing socio-economic challenges that impact their mental health. The team assists our clients in accessing welfare benefits, domestic violence support, housing support, immigration guidance and employment support. Recognising that barriers to basic needs often hinder mental health recovery, the CLSJ team addresses these issues to help clients achieve stability and focus on their therapeutic progress.
We work with victims of domestic violence to help them seek support and safety, and we also work closely with marginalised women, including those affected by violence, to ensure they receive the support and information they need to move forward safely and with dignity. At Nafsiyat, our therapists speak over 20 languages and draw on clients’ cultural backgrounds to provide truly intercultural, trauma-informed therapy. By matching each person with a practitioner who understands their language, faith and heritage, we can address the specific barriers they face and foster healing in a way that respects their identity.
Community Links and Social Justice Manager
Mayia is the Community Links and Social Justice (CLSJ) Manager at Nafsiyat, where she oversees programmes that support clients with issues related to welfare benefits, housing, immigration, domestic violenceand employment. Her role focuses on delivering accessible, culturally sensitive support to marginalised communities, ensuring that Nafsiyat’s clients receive the guidance and advocacy they need to navigate complex social and economic challenges.
With a BSc in Politics and International Relations and an MSc in Development Studies, Mayia combines her academic background with a strong commitment to social justice. Her passion for charity work and her admiration for Nafsiyat’s impact motivated her to take on this role, where she continues to make a meaningful difference in the community.
Areas We Help With
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Assessment of Entitlements
We check which benefits a client might be eligible for (Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, etc.).Application Assistance
We guide clients through the paperwork: completing forms, gathering evidence and uploading documents.Appeals and Reviews
If a benefit claim has been refused or reduced, we can help prepare appeals or mandatory reconsideration requests.Maximising Income
Beyond basic benefit claims, we look at Council Tax Reduction, Crisis Grants or Discretionary Housing Payments, where appropriate.
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Preventing Homelessness
We work with clients at risk of eviction or facing rent arrears, liaising with landlords and local housing authorities to find solutions.Finding Accessible Accommodation
Whether someone needs wheelchair-friendly housing, short-term accommodation or a transfer, we explain how to apply and advocate for reasonable adjustments.Referrals to Specialist Services
For those facing immediate risk (e.g. sofa-surfing, rough sleeping), we refer to night shelters, hostels or the local outreach teams.
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Information on Rights and Entitlements
We explain basic immigration status, visa categories and how that affects access to benefits and services.Signposting to Legal Advice
We don’t provide legal representation ourselves, but we refer clients to qualified immigration solicitors, law centres or pro bono clinics.Assistance with Applications
We signpost for assistance with applications.
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WorkingWell
We directly signpost to our partner WorkingWell Trust who deal with employment cases.
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Safety Planning
We help clients to draw up a plan: who to call in an emergency, where to go if they need to leave quickly, and how to keep important documents safe.Referrals to Refuge and Sanctuary Schemes
Depending on need, we link clients with safe houses, local authority refuges or discretionary sanctuary schemes (e.g. security measures for the home).Legal and Advocacy Support
We explain how to apply for non-molestation orders or occupation orders, and signpost to solicitors or domestic violence advocates.Intercultural Approach
Domestic violence transcends all communities, yet cultural values, traditions and beliefs can shape how abuse is experienced and how people seek help. At Nafsiyat, we know that survivors from diverse backgrounds often face extra hurdles—language barriers, immigration worries, stigma and cultural pressures around family roles and honour. Our intercultural therapy offers a safe, supportive and culturally sensitive space where survivors can share their experiences without fear of judgment. We work with each client respectfully, acknowledging the vital role culture plays in their story and their path to healing.
To learn more about the support we provide, click here.
Case Studies and Impact
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The Community Links & Social Justice (CLSJ) Team at Nafsiyat supported Habib, a young man from the Middle East who fled persecution after reporting a human rights violation involving a high-ranking military officer. With nothing but his phone, he escaped to the UK.
Upon arrival, Habib surrendered to the police and explained his situation, but a language barrier led to a misspelling of his name in official documents, delaying his asylum process.
The CLSJ team worked tirelessly to correct this error, persistently contacting the Home Office until his paperwork was resolved. They also helped him secure legal representation after learning of an execution order against him in his home country.
We received an update from Habib, sharing the news that his asylum application has been approved. He expressed deep gratitude for the support he received from Nafsiyat and the CLSJ team, saying he now feels confident to begin his new life and couldn’t have done this alone without the vital support he received from Nafsiyat.
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Amira, a young women from the Middle East, came to the UK on a spousal visa but soon faced severe domestic abuse from her husband. Isolated and terrified, she feared deportation if she left him.
With our support, Amira was placed in a women’s refuge for safety and connected with a lawyer specialising in immigration and domestic violence. We worked with her lawyer to collect evidence, helped her write a personal statement about her experiences, and assisted her in applying for Universal Credit, as she was too traumatised to return to work. Through this support, Amira’s immigration application was accepted, granting her independent legal status and a chance to rebuild her life.
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Aisha, was overwhelmed when her family received an eviction notice. Her husband and daughter are both disabled, and she didn’t know where to turn. The situation became even more distressing when their local council provided unsuitable temporary accommodation, far from the daughter’s school and hospital, which were critical for managing her disability. Aisha reached out to us for help, and we immediately advocated on her behalf. We appealed the council’s decision, highlighting the family's unique needs, and succeeded in securing more suitable temporary accommodation. We continued to support Aisha throughout the process, and her family is now settled in permanent housing that meets their needs, allowing them to focus on stability and wellbeing.
In 2024, CLSJ supported 105 clients across immigration, housing, benefits, employment and domestic-violence issues, ensuring they accessed vital resources and services with the following breakdown:
