Migrant Toby reflects on city welcome after seeking refuge in the UK

Toby Ephram has lived in the UK since 2002, having made the difficult decision to leave his home and life in Sudan amid political instability in the country.

The 48-year-old helped to celebrate International Migrant day on December 18, a day designed to highlight the contributions made by migrants across the world.

Mr Ephram has been through the migration system since his arrival in the country and said the situation he faced was matched by many others at the time.

He said: "There was a real issue with political instability at the time, as well as fear of persecution and other things like that.

"The reality is that there are a lot of people who want to move on and find a better life somewhere and that was my case, where I had to find my out of trouble."

Mr Ephram, who was born in Yei, in what is now South Sudan in 1972, lived in London originally, before spending time in Oxford living in government-arranged accommodation.

He moved to Wolverhampton more than a decade ago, meeting his wife Ghazala and settling into life in the city, working as a volunteer with the Ahmaddiyya Muslim Community.

Support

Mr Ephram said the community had helped welcome him into the city and provided him with support and a chance to serve the community while still living under a migrant status.

He said: "It was a struggle, but I'm proud to say it was a struggle, as I found communities who helped me get on my feet, such as the Ahmaddiyya Muslim Community.

"At the time, I was not allowed to work, even though I wanted to, but after converting to the community, I found opportunities to fundraise and do so much to help my community.

"It also showed me that the vast majority of British people are open-minded and welcoming and I learned so much about myself in that time."

Mr Ephram took and passed the British Citizenship exam in 2018, allowing him to remain as a citizen of the country, something he says he cherishes.

He said that that people choosing to leave their homes and migrate to the United Kingdom should be welcomed, and explained the significance of International Migrant Day.

He said: "The people are friendly and helpful and the system is here to help you.

"Once you integrate yourself into the system, you'll find that life and values are much better and compatible for you.

"A day like International Migrant Day is special because it stands for all those who contribute and make a difference and is a day to celebrate and to remember."