I relocated in 2021 due to political situation in Belarus. I’m raising money for Global Talent Visa to enable me to work in the UK.
My name is Nastasya Korablina, I'm Belarusian actress in exile with 7 years of experience in theatre.
I relocated from Belarus to UK in 2021 with a visa for a specific theatre project. This visa is soon to be expired, and I’m applying for Global Talent visa which will allow me to work safely in the UK to implement projects as an independent artist here.
My current visa ties me to the employer and doesn't allow me to work without restrictions with other theatre companies and productions and to be self-employed. As I have not had regular income since September 2022, I have so far lived on my own very modest savings.
So I’m raising money to cover the cost of the application (including endorsement fee, application fee and NHS surcharge), as my current visa does not allow me to do any other work.
As for the person who used to provide everything for myself by myself, it's really difficult for me to ask for help for such a personal issue, but I feel like there is no other way.
If I don't have the visa I will be in a very precarious situation as a refugee with no ability to work legally.
The situation for artists in Belarus is still unstable and dangerous (artists risk inprisonment for making their art, as weird as it sounds), I'm unable to return to my home country due to the risk of imprisonment and persecution. This is why I want to remain in the UK and continue to develop my cultural projects on the topics that I feel passionately about, such as democracy and human rights, mental health, cultural heritage and diversity.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I appreciate any support you can offer!
Any offer, no matter how small, will help me to stay in the place I love, doing the things I love with the people I love.
I have already lost my home once, and I am not ready to lose the one that I recently found here in the UK.
With love and gratitude,
Nastasya
This project successfully funded on 3rd July 2023