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How we work with businesses

The potential of businesses to support refugees into meaningful employment is limitless

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Learn more about how we create impactful partnerships with businesses.

We are proud of the community we’ve built, with over 50 businesses that support our work.

There are numerous ways your business can support Breaking Barriers. Our partners help to fund our vital work, they work with us to hire diverse refugee talent into their teams and to develop bespoke recruitment and training pathways. There are many impactful ways for staff to also get involved, through volunteering and mentoring opportunities.

By partnering with us, your business and your teams can have a long-term impact on the lives of refugees in the UK, supporting them on their journey to meaningful employment.

Find out how you can help and read some client stories below.

For more information and to explore the partnership opportunities for your business, please email [email protected] or contact us.

Strategic partnerships

Funding and strategic partnerships allow us to invest in our employment and education services and expand our reach to meet the national, growing needs of the refugee community.

Donations and pro-bono support from businesses enable us to grow our operations and innovate our programmes to adapt to the needs of our refugee clients.

Pathways to employment

We develop bespoke employment pathways for our refugee clients. These can include 6-month paid work placements through our Academy programme, or tailored recruitment pathways that support refugees into permanent and stable employment.

Through these pathways, we have a proven track record of successfully placing refugee talent into businesses to meet their hiring needs while simultaneously fulfilling the aspirations of our refugee clients.

Employee volunteering and engagement

Through our partnership, your employees can volunteer their time and expertise to support our clients.

Our flagship volunteering activity involves a group of volunteers who design and deliver an employability skills workshop on topics from CVs and interview skills to company values.

Employees also volunteer to support refugees with knowledge of their sector and role. Those who speak multiple languages also volunteer as interpreters and translators to support our employment and education teams.

Partner with us

Get in touch with our partnerships team to explore how a partnership could work. Please get in contact anytime and we will happily answer your questions.

Contact us

Hear from our clients and partners

Anas has found work with Cummins

The opportunity I have from Cummins to join the RePower program [a return-to-work programme] has substantially and positively impacted my health, knowledge, and family. Life's challenges often lead to career breaks, raising concerns about re-entering the workforce. For me, Cummins’ RePower Program was the answer. After a two-year hiatus, the program empowered me as a product engineer, restoring my confidence and reigniting my ambitions. Joining the engineering team felt like entering a collaborative, diverse community where knowledge sharing was cherished, fostering personal growth. The program bridged my past experiences with the latest advancements, allowing me to excel. Credit also goes to Breaking Barriers, equipping me with the skills to confidently present myself

What is a pathway to employment?

Step-by-step support for refugees in partnership with businesses – here’s everything you need to know about our pathways to employment.

A bespoke employment pathway

Our partnership with the CareTech Foundation aims to reduce high unemployment rates among refugees and decrease high vacancy rates in the health and social care sector.

Kizzi's story

Why Kizzi chose an apprenticeship at Grant Thornton

Unlocking refugee talent

Find out more about our innovative and collaborative partnership with Barclays, Microsoft and LinkedIn

Find out more

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Business Behind Refugees

Business Behind Refugees is a movement of businesses united and committed to improving the lives of refugees in the UK through meaningful employment.

Find out more

Our impact

Impact measurement is a vital part of our model. We evaluate our programmes using a variety of metrics to ensure that they are as effective and evidence-based as possible.