I want to change GP surgery & realised I am scared. I am scared to talk to people as an immigrant with an accent, scared to have to justify my existence in the UK. Scared to do the shopping, scared to ask for things, when I get patronised I wonder of it is bcs of my accent.

I’ve left 2 Slimming World groups the last 4 yrs bcs I felt uncomfortable, never tried another. Before ppl did not use to patronise or stonewall as much. It was acceptance or indifference. Now overt hostility is common. I’ve left my choirs, church and do not go anywhere anymore.

I hate talking to people on the school playground or on the daily dog walk or anywhere, I see their faces drop or change as soon as they hear my accent. The feeling of sticking out is like a stinging burn. I am not part of this culture anymore. I am isolated and unwelcome.

This is the daily reality of living in post-Brexit Britain for me. I have no idea how many feel the same. I have no strength left in me to hold my head up high and just ignore the haters. They are everywhere.

People want immigrants to integrate but we are not given a chance. In reality people want us not to be here at all. And as long as everything is viewed with a Brexit, xenophobe nationalist spectacle we will always be unwelcome.