My immigration status was uncertain then. It was 1998. It took a while for me to ask for assistance, as I didn't know if I was entitled. Two different HIV organisations directed me to go to the Social Services. By then I was also told I was supposed to be supported by Social Services as I was a student. We applied for limited leave on compassionate grounds.

When I applied for that, I was told to go back to the Social Services. I was not working at that time. My landlord complained because I was not working and I didn't have the rent. I wasn't feeling very well. The Social Services were tossing me around. They were saying "You are not supposed to be here. You have to be signed off, you come from Zimbabwe". For me to understand all that, it was a job!