15 Years and Counting: How a UK Helpdesk Has Been Easing Immigration Struggles

65-year-old Sukhwinder Singh* (name changed*) had entered the United Kingdom with the help of an ‘agent’ nearly three decades ago. He had since lived on the fringes of London, working as a tailor at an Indian boutique. 

With no passport, no formal documents, and no proof of identity or residence, Singh was an ‘invisible’ undocumented migrant. 

Without any National Health Service (NHS) entitlements, Singh, now in his twilight years, was finding it increasingly difficult to stay on in the UK, particularly with his failing eyesight and health. He yearned nothing more than to see the family he hadn’t seen in decades; to go back home for good.

Luckily, an acquaintance told him about the UNITED SIKHS Helpdesk at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Park Avenue, Southall. Singh approached the helpdesk and sure enough, UNITED SIKHS’ coordinators arranged his paperwork and met UK Home Office officials, facilitating his return home. 

How a Helpdesk became ‘The Helpdesk’

The UNITED SIKHS Helpdesk at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Park Avenue, Southall has been helping people within and outside the community since 2008. 

“The year 2009 saw hordes of students arrive in the UK from India and Pakistan. The main purpose of the Helpdesk at the time was to help out these students who were struggling with basic things like their CV” says Miss Narpinder Mann, Senior Community Projects Advocate of the UNITED SIKHS UK Chapter. 

Miss Narpinder Mann is the most prominent face of the Helpdesk.

In 2015, Miss Mann received the British Empire Medal for her voluntary services to the Sikh and broader South Asian community through the UNITED SIKHS helpdesk.

Afterwards, as the word spread and the Helpdesk gained popularity, scores of homeless persons began showing up. Additionally, undocumented Indians and Pakistanis who wanted to return to their home countries but were afraid to contact the Home Office for fear of being arrested or detained also started turning up in large numbers. 

“We put them in touch with the Indian or Pakistan High Commission and the Home Office, proactively making arrangements for their voluntary departure” shares Miss Mann.

The helpdesk acts as a crucial bridge between Immigration Enforcement (IE) and individuals, taking care of paperwork, meeting IE staff, making travel arrangements, and counseling individuals.

An Impressive Record 

In 2009, UNITED SIKHS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of UK for ensuring that every person who sought the Helpdesk’s assistance in voluntarily returning to their home country must be sent back with dignity; not detained, harassed, or interrogated. As an official partner of the Home Office, the Helpdesk routinely supports individuals trapped in the maze of immigration laws.

Notably, from 2010-2012, the UNITED SIKHS Helpdesk also assisted about 300 Legacy Cases (term used for unresolved asylum and migration cases) receive grant of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a form of immigration status in the UK. 

In its 15 years of existence, the UNITED SIKHS helpdesk has assisted over 5000 people.

Open to All! 

Set up every Tuesday, the Helpdesk also attends to the wider social needs of community members. A motley of people approach the Helpdesk, including victims of domestic abuse, homeless individuals, and elderly individuals seeking information regarding medical tests, pension, and even just wanting their letters  to be read out and explained.

“The doors are forever open and we try to help out every person that approaches us in whatever way we can” explains Miss Mann. “We have a strong network of connections, and know precisely who to direct where” she adds. 

As the UNITED SIKHS representative, Miss Mann and two National Community Engagement Team (NCET) Officers were recently awarded at the Hayes Gurdwara Sahib for their valuable service to the community.

Services like the UNITED SIKHS Helpdesk in the UK are doing a world of good and YOU have an active role in making it all happen. 

Keep supporting us in making the world a better place!

Jasleen Kaur

UNITED SIKHS

Recognize The Human Race As One