• The International Rescue Committee (IRC) hosted a "Refugees into Work" event in Taunton on 23rd September 2024, where experts from the IRC, World Jewish Relief and Unseen UK shared strategies for refugee employment and integration in South West England.

  • This builds upon the IRC’s work across the UK, where the organisation has supported over 2000 refugees, providing integration, employment, leadership and mentoring courses.

Taunton, Somerset, October 2, 2024 —  On 23rd September 2024, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) hosted a productive "Refugees into Work" event at the Albemarle Centre in Taunton in Somerset, UK. The afternoon gathering brought together experts, practitioners, and government representatives to discuss strategies for helping refugees and migrants in the South West of England restart their employment journeys and rebuild their lives. 

The event featured expert speakers, including the IRC’s Director of UK Resettlement, Asylum and Integration Genevieve Caston, World Jewish Relief’s STEP Forward Programme Manager Abelia Leskin and Unseen UK’s Policy and Partnerships manager Hilary Agg. Drawing on their extensive experience working with refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, the speakers shared advice on overcoming integration barriers, avoiding labour exploitation, and using strengths-based coaching approaches.

Interactive workshops and discussions followed, allowing attendees to explore practical strategies for putting their learnings into practice when supporting refugees and asylum seekers into work.Attendees included staff from Jobcentre Plus, the Department for Work and Pensions, and local councils, and the event provided valuable networking opportunities for practitioners to share experiences and advice.

Genevieve Caston, Director for UK Resettlement, Asylum and Integration at the IRC said, 

"This event exemplifies commitment from organisations across the South West to supporting refugees as they establish new lives and careers. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, this event fostered collaboration and facilitated the exchange of best practices that can make a real difference for refugees entering the workforce.  

By breaking down employment barriers, building critical language skills, and equipping participants with the knowledge to navigate life in the UK, we can empower refugees to fully participate in the workforce and their local communities.   

With the right support we know that refugees can secure employment, leading to independence and the ability to thrive in their local communities. In turn, this allows the local community to benefit from the diverse strengths and skills of new arrivals.”  

The IRC’s Support [notes to editors] 

The IRC works across South West England, in partnership with World Jewish Relief and The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN), empowering refugees and migrants in their employment journeys through the Refugee Employability Programme, funded by the UK Home Office.  

This programme provides vital support and services to refugees settling in the area to help prepare them for work and life in their new communities across Bristol, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Wiltshire, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Plymouth, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset, Swindon, Torbay, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.  

The programme builds upon the IRC’s offerings in other regions of the UK, where the organisation has supported over 2000 refugees, providing integration, employment, leadership and mentoring courses.