Breaking Barriers

Big Announcement! 📣 We’re thrilled to confirm that we're integrating RefuAid’s Language and Re-accreditation programmes into our services, further strengthening our ability to tackle refugee unemployment and integration challenges! Refugees are four times more likely to be unemployed than people born in the UK, creating barriers to financial independence, purpose and identity through work. And navigating support systems can often feel daunting for refugees, so we’re making it easier. This integration will allow us to expand our comprehensive support for refugees on their journey into meaningful employment. Meanwhile, RefuAid will build on its incredible work by expanding its interest-free loan programme to provide financial support to cover the cost of housing, education, and training. We believe that collaboration is key. By aligning our efforts, we'll expand nationally, create sustainable change and maximise our impact. This integration will also open up clearer opportunities for businesses and funders to get involved and make a real difference! Throughout this change, we remain as committed as ever to helping refugees rebuild their lives. Step by step. Building a more inclusive and resilient community for all. Let’s make it happen - together. 👉 Click on the link to watch the full video about the integration, featuring interviews with Breaking Barriers’ CEO Ciara Devlin, RefuAid Co-Founder and CEO Anna Jones, Breaking Barriers’ Founder and former CEO Matt Powell, and Breaking Barriers’ Lived Experience Panel member Nanou: https://loom.ly/RbrLSZY

Collaboration is key to driving meaningful change for refugees. For the third year running, we brought together funders and partners for a thought-provoking roundtable, diving into how we can collectively turn vision into action. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such insightful discussions. From investing in lived experience leadership to scaling impact through collaboration and unlocking employment pathways, one thing was clear: sustained support and flexible funding are crucial in driving sustainable, long-term change. The day served as a reminder of the power of partnership. When charities and funders come together with a shared vision, we can break down barriers to untapped opportunities. 👉 We’ve captured more insights in our blog - click here to read more: https://loom.ly/LynrgvE Special thanks to: Maximus UK Sodexo Macquarie Group The Giving Department Clore Social Leadership Aesop The Henry Smith Charity The Rayne Foundation Smiths Group plc The Baobab Foundation The Vandervell Foundation Wates Foundation #BreakingBarriers #RefugeeEmployment #Philanthropy #Collaboration #Leadership #RefugeeSupport

Trinh Tu, Managing Director of Public Affairs at Ipsos UK, shares important insights on the role of diversity and inclusion in social research, emphasising the necessity of representation to reflect diverse perspectives. Her inspiring story in this month’s Research Matters from The Social Research Association is testament to that. Our partnership with Ipsos is opening doors for refugees through skills-based hiring, giving them the chance to contribute their unique and valuable talents to the workforce. Together, through this approach, we’re not just creating opportunities – we're also showing the real benefits of inclusive hiring practices. 👉 Want to learn more about Trinh Tu's insights and the benefits for businesses transitioning to skills-based hiring? Click here: https://lnkd.in/e7XVcr3V 

What an incredible day. Over the last few months we have been collaborating with Scottish Refugee Council, REN Refugee Employment Network, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Futures, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Bridges Programmes and Skills Development Scotland to organise and deliver, what turned out to be, possibly the biggest refugee jobs fair ever hosted in Glasgow, as we welcomed more than 400 refugee job-seekers to a sun-soaked Glasgow City Chambers. With a huge range of different sectors represented, 40+ businesses, employers and opportunity providers filled both the beautiful main banquet hall and mahogany suite with stalls promoting all kinds of jobs, apprenticeships, support and training available. The fantastic team from HSBC delivered a drop-in CVs and career guidance workshop in both the Octagonal and Satinwood suites, too! Overall, the atmosphere was electric! The day was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose. Seeing so many skilled and driven individuals connect with employers and support networks made it clear just how much #NewScots contribute when given the right opportunities. #RefugeeEmployment #SkillsForScotland #GlasgowJobs

Edmond had nine years of experience in Seaman and Maritime roles, before arriving in the UK in early 2024. He approached our Re-accreditation team for support to re-qualify and obtain his Maritime licenses in order to register with a professional body. Edmond received re-accreditation support and was also referred for an interest-free loan from RefuAid, to cover the costs of his courses, licensing and accommodation.  He is a couple of weeks into his pathway, and he is making excellent progress. He is currently doing his Stream Marine Training (SMT) and has completed his underwater escape training. After this, he will complete his Seascope Marine Training before completing the last few stages. Edmond recently shared some photos with our colleague Bea, who is Breaking Barriers’ Senior Requalification caseworker. He told her: “Bea! You are God sent to me. I remain loyal and grateful... You brought my dreams back to life. I hope to be of service to others in the future.” Thank you to RefuAid for its collaborative support!  #RefugeeSupport #Refugees #RefugeesWelcome #EmploymentSupport #Requalification

Behind every client success story, there are dedicated volunteers. They offer refugees the guidance and resources they need to succeed, contributing to the supportive community we've built to help our clients unlock their potential. One of our amazing volunteers, Nayyar, shared her experience. "I am sincerely grateful to Breaking Barriers for providing me with the opportunity again to volunteer as an ESL teacher at the Conversation Café. Completing 20 hours of teaching as part of my PGCE Maths 14+ course, where I was required to teach English as a diverse subject, has been a truly enriching experience,” she said. “I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Vic [Education Officer], and to Manal [Education Officer] for their unwavering support and dedication. I found the entire team to be incredibly welcoming and committed to their mission. Teaching both beginner and intermediate classes at the Conversation Café has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience, and I would love to return in the future." To all our volunteers – thank you for your time, passion, and commitment. Your contributions are invaluable, and we couldn’t make this happen without you! 💙 #BreakingBarriers #CommunityImpact #SupportRefugees #Volunteering

Breaking Barriers empowers refugees to secure meaningful work. But we know that employment challenges don’t exist in isolation. They are deeply connected to other significant barriers. Our 2023-24 data highlights three key challenges our clients face: 🔹 English language: While 78% of our clients reported ‘independent’ or above speaking skills, only 37% felt ‘proficient’ in speaking and 30% in writing. 🔹 Homelessness: 41% of our London-based clients experienced homelessness, disrupting stability and creating further barriers to employment. This included the potential for relocation, a lack of privacy and space to conduct meetings or interviews, unreliable Wi-Fi, and a detrimental impact on mental health. 🔹 Mental health: 1 in 4 clients reported struggles with mental health, though the real number is likely higher due to stigma. Contributing factors include financial stress, trauma, isolation, discrimination, and asylum challenges. Sustainable employment opportunities can be created by addressing these challenges. That’s why we work alongside like-minded organisations to provide the interwoven network of support refugees need to rebuild their lives. #BreakingBarriers #SupportRefugees #InclusiveWorkplaces #SocialImpact

We all know how essential access to digital tools is – for work, staying connected and accessing opportunities. In fact, without it, you wouldn’t be reading this post right now! But for many refugees, digital exclusion is a major barrier. Without access to the right equipment, searching for and applying for jobs becomes even more difficult. To tackle this, we’ve partnered with Screen Share UK , an incredible organisation that refurbishes donated laptops and delivers them to our clients. Thanks to generous donations, we’ve reduced our waiting list, enabling more refugees to access essential online resources, search for jobs, and develop digital skills needed for meaningful employment. Do you have a laptop you no longer need? Your donation can help give someone the tools they need to rebuild their life. 👉 To find out more, follow the link in the comments. #DigitalInclusion #BreakingBarriers #RefugeeSupport

Ahead of International Women’s Day, we are celebrating two incredible women! The first is Sundus, a doctor from Pakistan. After a five-year clinical gap, and personal challenges that seriously threatened her safety and wellbeing, Sundus has demonstrated incredible grit and strength to secure her first paid role in a UK hospital. The second is our colleague Bex, who is part of our new Language and Re-accreditation team! Bex supported Sundus through her journey to become an NHS doctor. “Bex’s support meant a lot. Whenever I encounter any issue, I email her straight away. She is like an angel for me, and she is always there for me,” says Sundus. “I am working in a hospital in Northampton, as a Resident doctor in clinical psychiatry. After five years of a clinical gap, this is my first job. I am loving it. I am feeling great. It is like living a dream.” Read Sundus’ full story and find out more about our Language and Re-accreditation programmes: https://loom.ly/-XAGF90 #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #Refugees #RefugeesWelcome #EmploymentSupport

Happy #WorldEngineeringDay! Today, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of engineering and innovation across the field. Last week, volunteers from Cummins, our partner and engineering powerhouse, hosted an inspiring session, sharing their experiences and gathering valuable feedback from our clients. This event showcased how meaningful collaboration between employers and refugees deepens understanding, strengthens connections, and opens doors to inclusive career opportunities. A huge thank you to Cummins, and the fantastic volunteers behind the ‘Step Into Engineering’ guide for Breaking Barriers. This guide serves as an essential resource, designed to empower our clients as they re-enter or navigate the sector in the UK for the first time. Together we are driving change and inspiring the future leaders of engineering. #WorldEngineeringDay #Engineering #Collaboration #Innovation #CumminsEurope