Romeo's Story

Romeo arrived in the UK in 2016 and worked in the care sector, however in 2018 whilst working as healthcare assistant Romeo suffered a severe neck and shoulder injury. Due to the injuries he is in chronic pain which requires prescribed medication and physical therapies. Romeo became depressed and isolated, his self-esteem and confidence plummeted. Work had been a crucial part of his identity, giving him pride, independence and life choices, without work he felt he had lost everything.

In 2022 Romeo became an ICM learner, passing his English exams and within 2 months he had started volunteering in ICM’s classrooms and as a Community Champion. In these two volunteering roles Romeo helps support learners in multiple classes, supports people completing complex forms and regularly translates documents and posters/flyers for the GP federation, the NHS and St Elizabeth’s Hospice. 

From his own experience and that of others he realised that Ipswich’s Romanian community needed more help. He approached ICM for advice and help to set up a new organisation ‘Ipswich Romanian Community’. IRC works in partnership with local charities and organisations helping all Romanian speakers and promoting Romanian values, culture and traditions. IRC has over 100 members and is increasing. Over 5,000 acts of help/support have been provided in areas such as finding employment, housing, accessing education and healthcare and completing documents to achieve UK settled status as well as interpreting to facilitate effective communication with local government bodies. They also run regular social and support meetings.

Representing IRC Romeo has been part of a multi-disciplinary team that has targeted specific areas of Ipswich to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve school attendance. He has also contributed to the Health Watch Suffolk Tackling Poverty Together project and partnered with Suffolk libraries promoting English courses. At Christmas IRC created Let’s Christmas Together, in partnership with Tesco distributed food parcels to struggling families and ran a social event. Plans for this year are, a celebration of National Children’s Day, a Romanian Cultural festival in conjunction with the New Wolsey Theatre and a Romanian Film Festival. Recently Romeo has been talking with the Romanian Ambassador to arrange for voting for the Romanian election to take place in Ipswich.

What Romeo has achieved is monumental, all done this whilst coping with constant severe pain, very little sleep and often negativity and prejudice. Romeo’s impact on both the Romanian and the Ipswich community has been massive. He will not stop here, his motivation to improve the lives of others outweighs anything else. This work, all voluntary, has given meaning to a life he once thought was over. Romeo deserves this award.

“First and foremost, volunteering with my family at ICM has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. It has allowed me to not only contribute to the community but also to grow personally.”

“Becoming a community champion with ICM was a turning point for me.  It made me realize the power of motivation and inspiration in uplifting others.”

“Sharing my life story and encouraging individuals to pursue their dreams has been incredibly rewarding. 

This led me to establish the Ipswich Romanian Community, a project I started from scratch with the invaluable support of my ICM family.”