Breaking barriers to meaningful employment and brighter futures

Background

Refugees arrive in the UK having fled their countries to escape conflict, violence, or persecution. In their search for safety, they often experience new barriers: stigma and suspicion, unfamiliar work cultures, language challenges, and unemployment rates three times higher than the general population. Breaking Barriers is a specialist refugee employment charity founded in 2015, built on the belief that no one should face these challenges alone.

Their mission is to break down barriers so every refugee can find meaningful employment and build a new life, step by step. They offer one-to-one advice and guidance, education, training, and a dedicated fund to help with travel costs. Breaking barriers and opening doors through strong partnerships with employers.

In July 2024, Breaking Barriers received a £5,000 grant from the Elizabeth Drummond Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland.

Project

The funding awarded went directly towards the salary of an Employment Adviser supporting refugees in Glasgow. Their original goal was to help 30 refugees over one year, but the need was far higher than expected. Thanks to the adviser's expertise and a growing team of volunteers, they supported 90 clients aged 18 to 61. About 61% were men and 39% women.

72% of clients arrived in Scotland with qualifications yet faced steep barriers such as gaps in work history, comparability or non-recognition of qualifications, language challenges, discrimination, and limited networks. Breaking Barriers helped to bridge these gaps with person-centred, end-to-end support, including CV and application guidance, interview preparation, training, and volunteering opportunities.

Highlights included:

•    Four NHS career workshops for 15 participants
•    The first corporate-led employability workshop in Glasgow with law firm Ashurst
•    A leading role in Scotland's largest ever refugee jobs fair, connecting hundreds of clients with employers

Impact

The results speak volumes:

• Exceeded target: 90 clients supported (triple the target!)
• Positive outcomes: 40% moved into employment, education, or volunteering
• Confidence boost: 100% of surveyed clients reported feeling more confident about their future
• Trusted relationships: Advisers with lived refugee experience built deep trust and understanding
• Stronger partnerships: Work with the Department for Work and Pensions, the Scottish Refugee Council, and others provided wrap-around support
• Volunteer power: 18 volunteers contributed more than 28 hours in a single month

Unexpected developments added further value. Rapid referrals established Breaking Barriers as a trusted provider in Glasgow. Integration of RefuAid programmes from December 2024 brought language tuition and professional re-accreditation for law and medicine, increasing capacity by a third. One of the clients has since become an Employer Engagement Officer, helping others through the Bridges Programme.

The project also had wider social benefits:

• Inclusive workforce: Employer partnerships are helping diversify workplaces and fill local skills gaps
• Community resilience: Growing volunteer involvement is strengthening cohesion and local ownership
• Organisational learning: Experience in Glasgow is shaping Breaking Barriers' wider UK strategy for place-based delivery and employer engagement

Breaking Barriers believes in the power of people over prejudice and the opportunities of the future over the misfortunes of the past. With each success story, they're helping to build a stronger, more inclusive community. 

You can find out more about Breaking Barriers and their work here.