Tulia Drop-In Clinic

Empowering Migrant Carers with Dignity, Rights, and Hope

At Tulia, we believe that those who care for society deserve care themselves. Our Drop-In Projects provide urgent, practical, and emotional support to international Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) holders and their families, who are facing significant challenges with immigration, employment, and wellbeing in the UK.

A group of people attending a community support event in a hall with a stage, two banners, and chairs arranged for the audience.

What are Tulia Drop-Ins?

Our drop-ins are free, in-person community clinics offering:

  • Specialist legal and immigration advice.

  • Employment guidance, CV support, and job search coaching.

  • Emotional and mental health support.

  • Driving and mobility guidance.

  • Childcare, housing, and local integration information.

Delivered by Tulia’s legal team, volunteers, and local authority partners, these sessions provide a lifeline of safety, clarity, and connection, bridging the gap between statutory services and the lived realities of migrant carers.

A group of people seated in a conference hall, listening to a speaker at the front. The hall has large windows, red chairs, and a balcony. There is a white banner with orange and green text that says 'Tulia'
Exterior view of Methodist Central Hall, a brick building with a blue sign, glass entrance, and decorative tower on top, against a clear blue sky.
A large group of people seated in red chairs facing a stage in a spacious, ornate hall with high ceilings, large windows, and a balcony.
A crowded conference room filled with people sitting on red chairs, with a young man in a yellow hoodie in the foreground looking at his phone. A speaker stands at the front of the room near a banner that reads 'Tulia'.

Where We Deliver Drop-Ins

Since February 2024 , Tulia has run drop-ins in:

  •  multiple sessions, in partnership with Coventry City Council & Warwickshire County Council

  • Partnered with Royal Nature Training, Zim Women Association, United African Association.

  • Including Leicester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sheffield, and Peterborough.

Statistics & Reach

650+

Over 650 migrant carers and dependants have visited our drop-in clinic since February 2024 to date

Who attends?

80% of our visitors are residents in Coventry or Wawickshire. 20% are from more than 40 cities across England including: Leicester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sheffield, Peterborough, etc

Nationalities

Our visitors are nationals from various countries including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Polish, Pakistani, Romanian and more.

Why This Matters

 1.Migrant Carers Are a Vital Yet Overlooked Workforce

People seated in a large hall with a stage and a balcony, preparing for an event or presentation.

  • Exploitative zero-hour contracts

  • Insufficient or no working hours, despite full visa sponsorship

  • Revoked or suspended sponsor licences risking loss of status and forced return

  • Threats of dismissal for refusing unreasonable demands, such as long unpaid travel for short shifts

Carers on COS visas are crucial to sustaining the UK’s health and social care systems, especially in the wake of staffing shortages. Yet many face:

Without targeted support, these carers risk unemployment, destitution, and removal, despite their willingness and ability to serve local communities.

 2. Statutory Services Do Not Fully Meet Their Complex Needs

People standing in line inside a building labeled 'Main Hall', some sitting on chairs, with a trash can nearby and the entrance at the back.

Migrant carers often fall between service gaps:

  • Employment agencies may not advise on immigration complexities

  • Legal aid is often unavailable for employment-related immigration advice

  • Mental health support is underutilised, due to stigma, lack of culturally competent provision, or language barriers.

Tulia’s drop-ins provide holistic, integrated support, ensuring no issue is left unaddressed.

Two women sitting at a table with a laptop, talking, while a man stands nearby looking at them. The scene is inside a large room with red curtains and many chairs, some of which are filled with people.

4.Funders and Sponsors Create Lasting, Measurable Impact

When migrant carers remain employed and secure

  • Retention of trained carers within local workforces

  • Increased economic activity, as dependants are supported into work

  • Enhanced community wellbeing, reducing isolation and mental distress

  • Systemic change, by informing policy recommendations for ethical sponsorship and migrant rights

3. Councils Benefit Directly from Carer Stability

A group of people sitting in a circle in a large room, possibly attending a meeting or workshop. There are 16 individuals with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and a couple of banners with the Tulia logo in the background.

When migrant carers remain employed and secure

  • Exploitative zero-hour contracts

  • Insufficient or no working hours, despite full visa sponsorship

  • Revoked or suspended sponsor licences risking loss of status and forced return

  • Threats of dismissal for refusing unreasonable demands, such as long unpaid travel for short shifts

Without targeted support, these carers risk unemployment, destitution, and removal, despite their willingness and ability to serve local communities.

Empty church or auditorium with a stage, rows of red-cushioned chairs facing the stage, a sign for Tulia services, musical instruments on the stage, and large windows letting in natural light.

Our Impact So Far..

Employment Progress

  • Participants secured sponsorships, conditional job offers, and advanced in visa processes.

  • Dependants prepared CVs and began job searches in care, warehouse, and logistics sectors.

Emotional & Practical Relief

  • Attendees reported feeling heard, valued, and supported, reducing anxiety and hopelessness.

Driving & Mobility Improvements

  • Many passed driving theory tests and booked practical tests, opening up job opportunities.

Community Empowerment

  • “Grateful to Tulia for the support.”

  • “Got Right To Work, very excited, will be coming to the hub.”

  • “I felt like I could breathe again after talking to you.”

Our Strategic Recommendations

A woman in a pink top speaking to an audience in a room with black curtains and a banner that says "Tulia" with a logo and the words "Legal Advice & Holistic Support for Migrants." The audience is seated, listening attentively.

Expand Drop-In Provision

Additional weekly sessions and mobile outreach to rural areas where carers face total service deserts.

Embed Mental Health Support

Culturally competent group therapy and embedded counselling for carers and dependants.

Advocate for Ethical Sponsorship Practices

Collaborate with councils and care providers to end exploitative employment models and improve compliance.

Fund Driving Lessons & Childcare Support

Culturally competent group therapy and embedded counselling for carers and dependants.

Strengthen Multi-Sector Partnerships

Deepen collaboration with local authorities, NHS, care providers, and community organisations for joined-up, sustainable care.

For Migrants Considering Attending

Two women sitting at a table during a community event, engaging with a man across from them. Behind them are banners advertising support services from Tulia, a family support organization.

If you are a COS holder, dependant, or migrant carer facing challenges with:

  1. Employment or sponsorship

  2. Visa or immigration concerns

  3. Emotional wellbeing

  4. Driving or transport barriers

  5. Childcare or housing

Our drop-ins are for you. They are free, confidential, and welcoming. Come as you are. We will listen, support, and stand alongside you on your journey.

Partner with Us to Create Systemic Change

Tulia invites funders, councils, care providers, and sponsors to:

  • Invest in proven, impactful interventions

  • Ensure carers are retained within the workforce

  • Promote equity, dignity, and wellbeing for migrant communities

Locations: Coventry, Northampton, and expanding
Contact: 024 7527 8286
Website: www.tulia.org.uk
 Email: info@tulia.org.uk

Together, we can build a society where migrant carers feel safe, supported, and valued – because care work is essential, and so are the people who do it.