"This is my Nan!"

Carol and Mohammed  

When Mohammed told Carol Browning he'd got a part time job in a restaurant she assumed he meant McDonalds or Burger King, but when he said it was "one with a little name by the Cathedral" she realised he meant the prestigious Ivy Restaurant!  

Mohammed is the 19-year-old son of the first family to be settled by CHARIS Exeter in 2019. He had experience of working in a restaurant in Turkey but no formal qualifications. Thanks to the support from Carol (CHARIS Project Manager), the other wonderful volunteers in Exeter, and ESOL lessons, Mohammed had gained the confidence to look for work.   

Mohammed is employed as a sous chef at the Ivy where he's gained respect from his manager and colleagues. In fact, they've asked if he has friends who would like to work there too!  

But the most beautiful chapter of this story happened when Mohammed invited Carol to dine with him at the Ivy. When they were joined by two of Mohammed's friends who are seeking asylum in the UK, he introduced Carol as "my Nan".   

"I felt very proud", Carol said. "He insisted on paying for our meals, and that I had the steak!"  

When Carol asked Mohammed why he called her his Nan, he said, "My Mum and Dad say that you are their new mother, so that makes you my Nan."