The International Rescue Committee (IRC) offers a range of services for refugees and other vulnerable migrants. These include orientation services to help new arrivals navigate British systems, translation services, peer mentoring and wellbeing support. 

What we do 

Orientation 

The IRC’s Orientation for Newcomers course helps refugees navigate and use British services. The course provides information on everything from how to book a doctor's appointment and access the NHS, to legal rights and what to do in an emergency. The course also offers information on what children are being taught in UK schools and how parents can support them in their learning. 

The IRC also invites expert guest speakers from a range of service providers, teachers and police officers to join the session and answer questions from clients. 

Maasom, Hiba, Nasrin and Omar stand together and smile for the camera.
“My children give me strength and courage.” Kurdish-Syrian refugees Maasom and Hiba have been living in Hampshire for almost three years. They have two children, Nasrin and Omar.
Photo: Elena Heatherwick/IRC

Community interpretation training 

This training programme teaches refugees  how to interpret and translate language on behalf of individuals or small communities. It also provides the opportunity to become certified, which can lead to future job opportunities. 

Peer mentoring & leadership 

For new refugees arriving in the UK, having someone who can empathise with your situation is invaluable. The IRC matches refugee mentors who have already settled in the UK with new arrivals who they then support with practical advice, friendship and encouragement. 

Wellbeing support 

Many Ukrainian refugees report obstacles to accessing mental health services. We provide signposting to mental health services as part of a regular Wellbeing Day. These services are run in Ukrainian. 

The IRC has also created a mental health workbook for Ukrainians in partnership with OPORA, a charity helping Ukrainians rebuild their lives in the UK after fleeing war. Combining theory and practical tools, the handbook covers fundamental aspects of mental health and well-being. Topics include adaptation, relationships, grief and much more. 

You can download the workbook in English and Ukrainian. 

Our other services for refugees 

Many of the above integration services also overlap with our other employment and education programmes for refugees. Find an overview of IRC UK resettlement, asylum and integration services here. 

Contact us

Contact our Economic Empowerment team for more information at [email protected]   

For Ukrainians contact [email protected]

Our impact

37%

of clients receiving employment support from the IRC have reached an employment goal of receiving a job offer, being promoted, starting a volunteer placement or enrolling on a vocational training course.

The IRC provides Job Readiness Training to refugees who are keen to start their careers in the UK. The course covers every aspect of employment in the UK, from how to write a CV and cover letter to interview techniques.

2,100+

Educators reached since our Healing Classrooms programme launched in May 2022.

The Healing Classrooms programme offers free training to educators on how to offer children a safe and predictable place to learn and cope with the consequences of conflict and displacement.

80%

of Ukrainian clients who’ve completed the IRC's Cultural Orientation for Newcomers have improved their knowledge of how to access local services in the UK.

In Cultural Orientation for Newcomers, the IRC skills refugees with the knowledge they need to navigate their new community and beyond. We also work with local communities to help them be better equipped to support the integration of local refugees.