From avoiding the Bibby Stockholm to cooking for Tracey Emin, after staying with our host Rob, Salman found his placement gave him the time needed to start rebuilding his life.

At the start of 2024 I was living in Home Office housing in Margate. In April many of us got a letter from the Home Office saying we would have to move to the Bibby Stockholm barge.

A lot of people were upset about it and Rob helped us a lot during this time – even organising protests against us having to move. The Home Office was insistent, and eventually said that I had to go or I’d lose my housing.

I hadn’t heard much about the Bibby Stockholm before I got the letter but then I looked into it and wasn’t happy. In Margate we felt like we were part of the community but if we moved to the barge we’d be cut off. It seemed like a prison boat.

Staying with Rob was great – it was really nice of him to offer because when I was told to go to the Bibby Stockholm, my situation was quite uncertain. My asylum case was being processed and I had no idea what was going to happen.

When I arrived in Margate I started volunteering at a lot of places and the training kitchen, The Perfect Place to Grow, was one of them.

Me and two other guys also from Pakistan volunteered together often. Tracey Emin, their patron, tried our Pakistani food, loved it, and asked if we’d cook for the opening of her exhibition at the White Cube Gallery. She also sponsored our whole visit to London.

It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. The best thing about it was how much people liked our cooking.

At the end of the dinner, Tracey Emin invited us to the front, told people about us, and everyone applauded.

While I was living with Rob I got accepted for a sanctuary scholarship at two universities, one of which was at the University of Reading where I’m studying now.

I couldn’t believe it because it was highly competitive and hundreds of students had applied. It covers all of the fees, accommodation, and living expenses.

Right now I’m studying the International Foundation Program there and next year I’m going to start my degree in pharmacy.

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