Case Studies

The Refugee Employability Programme (REP), a two-year initiative funded by the UK Home office, provides tailored and flexible employment support to refugees as they adjust to life in England. Working on a case management basis, the REP team assesses refugee needs and creates development plans to identify and address integration and employment barriers—all while maintaining meaningful and frequent contact with individuals over time. The goal is to give refugees the support they need to find work and build livelihoods in England. 

But REP is about more than just getting people into jobs. The program is focused on refugee groups who have been given indefinite leave to remain in the country and need help integrating into their new communities. In addition to employment support, REP provides access to English language classes and guidance to address any other integration barriers refugees may be facing.  

While REP began work in late 2023, its impact in this year was felt by more than 200 individuals.  

This work is extremely personal. The team looks at every aspect of each refugee’s lives, from their family to their education, to their journey, to understand where they are and what specific support they need.  

One client, a young man from Sudan nicknamed “Sunshine”, came to REP with no plan, no housing, and very limited English. A REP case worker stepped in, arranging essential resources such as a sleeping bag and tent, food, and clothes. The REP case worker also connected Sunshine with a service called Streetlinks that regularly checks on people “sleeping rough” and provides access temporary accommodations when available.  

REP works closely alongside the voluntary and community sectors because many of these organisations, like Streetlinks, are already trusted by and working with refugee groups. The focus is on partnership, and making sure REP enhances (not duplicates) essential support already being provided by local organsiations.  

Sunshine was homeless for about four weeks. Every morning, his REP case worker would meet him for a coffee to check in and let him defrost from the night outside. Despite not having a roof over his head, Sunshine regularly attended college two days a week for English classes and volunteered once a week to support other refugees, opportunities provided by REP. His constant smile and positive attitude are what earned him his nickname.  

Today, Sunshine is living in sheltered accommodation, and is still connected to his REP case worker, who is now helping him with his CV and job applications. Support from REP helped Sunshine build community in Brighton, which is still a new home for him.  

Sunshine’s story is just one example of how REP’s tailored support significantly impacts the lives of refugees, providing a case worker they can trust to help them navigate life (food, housing, work, community) in a new place. For refugees like Sunshine, arriving in a new country without community or a common language, this support can be everything.