Refugee’s journey inspired him into mental health nursing

At the refugee camp, run by the United Nations, Mr Kasena experienced the kindness of strangers who took him in.

“They became my family,” he said, adding that he saw “the transformative impact of compassionate care” on his own mental health.

He said suicide was common in the camps, and people tried to support one another as best they could.

In 2007, he was granted asylum in Britain and came to Norwich at the age of 22.

“It was January, and I just remember how very cold it was,” said Mr Kasena, who spoke fluent French and Swahili but no English at the time.

He was given a place to stay, sharing with another refugee from the DRC, and assigned a case worker and mentor.

Mr Kasena volunteered at a lunch club, joined the local church and the football club.

“I will never forget the kindness I was shown and the support I got. It helped me to get back on my feet and see hope and purpose in life.

“It taught me the importance of having strong support networks,” he said.

He started work in the Post Office, but while volunteering as a first aider with the British Red Cross at football matches, someone suggested a career in healthcare.