BRR recognized a key challenge faced by asylum seekers once they are granted the Right to Work in the UK: confidence, understanding employment pathways, and work readiness.
Bristol Refugee Rights (BRR) recognized a key challenge faced by asylum seekers once they are granted the Right to Work in the UK: confidence, understanding employment pathways, and work readiness. In response, they launched an intensive workshop series over six weeks to empower member volunteers with the skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce successfully.
Eight member volunteers received one-to- one support from a qualified careers coach from Stay Nimble. Each participant had a personalised plan, focusing on their specific goals, such as CV development, finding external volunteering opportunities, interview preparation, job application support, and accessing external training opportunities. This tailored approach was central to the program’s success.
Participants reported increased confidence in their employability, with two individuals securing paid employment, one in hospital security and the other as a carer, after receiving leave to remain. Others pursued further studies, including MBA courses.
The EAR partnership played a crucial role in shaping the project, emphasising individualised work plans for participants with outcomes tailored to each member’s strengths and support needs.
Scheduling conflicts, including solicitor and doctor appointments, posed challenges for participants. To address this, the project remained flexible, offering phone or online sessions alongside face-to-face meetings. individualised sessions made it easier to accommodate participants’ availability.
BRR suggests enabling ‘drop-in’ sessions to accommodate individuals unable to commit to the full course and allocating a budget to support travel costs, a common barrier to access. This approach promotes inclusivity and ensures that support is accessible to a wider audience.
Bristol Refugee Rights’ initiative demonstrates the positive impact of personalised support and tailored approaches in enhancing the employability of asylum seekers and refugees, ultimately contributing to their successful integration into the workforce.
