Decision: Javad stays in the UK!

Readers of Hastings Online Times have been part of the campaign to support Javad in his quest to remain in the UK – and it is with delight that we update you: Javad has been given permission to stay here. HOT’s Zelly Restorick writes.

Javad, who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder, has been granted Leave to Remain under the Private Life route and is allowed to work. He has 2.5 years before he has to apply (and pay £2,500) to the Home Office to extend his leave. This will continue until he has had it extended for 10 years, at which time he can apply for citizenship.

Javad has been longing for this resolution, so that he can now look for work, safe in the knowledge he can legally build a life for himself here.

Terry Alexander, who, with her husband Stuart, has looked after and supported Javad for the past five years, says that they would like to especially thank all the people who have supported them during this challenging journey.

Thanks to the staff at The Links Project, Hastings, “who have regularly supported Javad for at least ten years and me for the last four,” says Terry.

“The Links Project is absolutely delighted and relieved that Javad finally has his leave to remain,” says Marc Turczanski, links project coordinator. “We always knew he had so much potential and so much energy and he can now finally get on with the rest of his life. We also wanted to pay tribute to Terry, as without her kindness and commitment to Javad, this would never have happened.”

And the staff at The Roebuck Centre (formerly Hastings Autism, now Aspens). “I don’t know that I could have done it without them and Javad has flown under their care,” says Terry.

“Javad joined The Roebuck Centre on 21 October 2016,” writes John Jones from Aspens. “The Roebuck Centre supports adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and Asperger’s to run their own business enterprises.

“He joined our craft enterprise – Special Operations and demonstrated his outstanding skills and confidence in textiles. He worked with various local artists learning woodblock printing, screenprinting, linocut printing, apron and bag making and has excelled in all areas, producing some beautiful pieces of work.

“He continues to work on his pattern-making skills and designing his own fashion range on computer. We have recently made him a volunteer as he is so gifted and it would be a shame to lose him and his skills.

“We are all over the moon that Javad has been given Leave to Remain but now the serious work begins of supporting Javad to find paid employment in the local area.”

Also gratitude to all the solicitors who have given legal support to Javad along the way.

Plus thanks to the staff at Shearbarn Holiday Home Park, who were wonderful at Javad’s birthday/leave to remain party.

And huge appreciation and gratitude to all of the friends and family who have welcomed Javad into their lives and given him work experience, friendship, musical tuition and experiences and social practice.

“We are now in the process of sorting him out work and education certificates,” says Terry. “Javad loves his fashion design still but needs to find full-time paid employment very quickly, as he will have to pay about £2,500 to renew his leave to remain every 2.5 years until he has had leave for 10 consecutive years.

“Our priority is to get him working so he can save money, learn to drive and start to understand the value of money. I suspect that once he’s started earning, his priorities may well change and we can then seriously plan for his future. At the moment all he understands is the safe world of college or the future dream of being an international fashion designer.”

Javad is starting a textile course next week on Wednesday evenings. Everyone at Hastings Online Times wishes him the very best of luck for the future.

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