Refugee Week 2026: Timi’s story

The 15^th to the 21^st June is Refugee Week, an event that raises awareness of why people become displaced and the challenges they face when seeking asylum.

This year the focus of Refugee Week is the courage it takes to leave your home to escape war, natural disaster and oppression and start a new life in a safer country. To celebrate Refugee Week and the theme of courage, we spoke to one of our residents, Timileyin ‘Timi’ Adeyemo, who lives in Cardiff.

Timi was just 19 when he left Nigeria to escape the discrimination he faced there as a gay man. Timi is now thriving in Cardiff and has become part of the local music scene. He feels free to be his true self without fear.

We spoke to Timi to learn more about his experiences, what he likes about living in Wales, and his plans for the future.

Can you tell us a bit about where you lived before coming to Wales?

“Before moving to Cardiff, I lived in Lagos, Nigeria. I lived there until 2021. I also went to boarding school in Accra, Ghana from when I was 12 years old. Ghana has a very similar culture to Nigeria – from the food, to the architecture to the hospitality of the people. Nigerians are very friendly and so are Ghanaians!

“There wasn’t very much freedom for me living there though. I am a gay man, and where I come from it is not legal to be gay. People can go to prison for 20 years for being gay, or for expressing themselves as LGBT+.”

How has your life changed since coming to Wales? 

“Being in a country that affords you the right to be free and to be yourself is something that is priceless, and that you don’t get everywhere. As a Nigerian gay man, coming to a place where I’m allowed to express myself and allowed to be my most authentic self is a win for me.

“One of the first things I did when I came to the UK was get my ears pierced, as I’d wanted to get my ears pierced so bad.”

What do you like the most about where you are living now?

“In August 2023 I started delving into music and making music for myself. I go to a youth centre in town called Sound Progression and they aim to get young people from the age of 12 to 25 into music and help them produce their own stuff. I sing and rap, and I love that I can express myself as an artist here.

“There have been so many amazing opportunities here, even the community the UK provides for me has been great as I have been able to meet people from all walks of life. I’ve always felt safe living in the UK.”

How has United Welsh supported you? 

“When I moved here, I was very shy as I was in a depressive state, but Marion and Mary (my support workers) made sure I was okay and brought me out of my comfort zone. They also understood when I needed my space, and gave me time to heal.

“Oak House has everything. They’re very supportive, and each and every one of the staff is incredible. They look after you, they’re friendly, and you can always have a cup of tea and a chat with them. I love this place.”

(Oak House is a supported housing scheme that supports single people and couples aged 18 and over. Residents work with staff to create a support plan to develop the skills they need to live independently).

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to be a queer, Nigerian superstar who breaks boundaries and brings other grassroots artists with me. Cardiff has an amazing amount of talent, and I want to represent Nigeria and Wales, because it’s become home to me as well. I see Wales as my first home, as this is the first place where I can live comfortably as a gay man.

I’m also planning to go back to study, hopefully Business Management or Music Performance. I want to get back to work and create more opportunities for a better quality of life. I also want to make more friends and travel the world.”