Clarence

Clarence lives in a bed-sit in Bromley. He is seeking asylum after fleeing persecution in Uganda. His family was murdered, and he was tortured before escaping. After arriving in London, he tested HIV positive. He had been feeling unwell for some time, suffering from occasional diarrhoea and weight loss. His immune system was very weak, and he was commenced on antiretrovirals - 4 drugs in combination. These medicines are taken once a day, and must be taken with food for correct absorption.

Clarence was referred to the HIV dietitian as he was still losing weight. It became apparent that he was eating very little food. He is a very tall man and has relatively large energy and protein requirements. Whilst waiting for a decision on his asylum application, he receives £30 in benefits each week, in addition to his bed-sit rent which is paid separately. This £30 per week has to cover all expenditure, not just food. The dietitian was very concerned that Clarence could not afford enough food to maintain his weight, and certainly was not able to eat the correct amount of food for his antiretrovirals to be absorbed.

Clarence does not know how to cook European food. Traditional African foods are very expensive in London, and his weekly benefit could not stretch to meet the cost of Matoke, a small green banana, his usual staple food. Clarence had been cooking spaghetti, and serving this with baked beans. He had been eating this once a day for weeks on end.

The dietitian was unable to secure further funding for Clarence - there are currently no options available to increase benefits for anyone at this stage of the process for seeking asylum. It may take years for Clarence to receive a decision on his asylum application.

Clarence was referred to The Food Chain. Two services were provided - emergency food deliveries, and regular Sunday meals. Both these services were tailored to his needs: traditional African foods and dishes were provided. The services had an immediate effect on Clarence. He told his dietitian that he felt able to go out of his bed-sit and take a walk in the park for the first time since he came to London.