I am from Ireland and moved to London 11 years ago to do a Political Science master’s degree and establish my career. Around the time that I moved was the escalation of the Syrian civil war. Being in a relatively new environment myself and not knowing that many people in London, I felt the need to channel some of the feelings of injustice and helplessness I was having about the world and society in a positive way. By understanding the reality of the issues at hand and volunteering to help others.
In the past decade I have volunteered with other charities to connect with and support people from a refugee background to settle in the UK as well as growing my own career and now, I work in HR at a Climate Action NGO.
Ultimately, we’re all seeking and deserve the same things. Freedom, safety, security, and community. So, if there’s any way, I can share tips and shed light on how UK recruitment processes work to those who need it, I feel it is important to do so.
After seeing the CEO interviewed on the news, I searched Breaking Barriers on LinkedIn, and immediately thought that this was a great match for me to use my experience in HR and recruitment to practically support people. It’s difficult for many people to get a job and secure meaningful employment, regardless of who they are, so when thinking about those who face additional barriers, the challenge of an uneven playing field is magnified.
What really stood out to me is how Breaking Barriers is trying to address interlinked, systemic issues and advocate for better policies and outcomes. Ultimately, we’re all seeking and deserve the same things. Freedom, safety, security, and community. So, if there’s any way, I can share tips and shed light on how UK recruitment processes work to those who need it, I feel it is important to do so.
There is no specific time requirement, and it is down to what you can commit to. I can indicate my availability in advance and the Employment Advisers then book my time as and when needed.
When applying to volunteer at Breaking Barriers, it was a no-brainer! The roles were clear on the website, the offer is flexible, and the values of the organisation align with my own.
I have been volunteering at Breaking Barriers for a year now as an Information, Advice and Guidance volunteer. As an IAG volunteer, I can support clients with anything from helping with job searching, CV writing, applications, interview preparation and more. These sessions are particularly rewarding, as you can see how much someone’s confidence can grow in a single appointment.
Aside from it being incredibly rewarding, what I love about volunteering at Breaking Barriers is how flexible it is. There is no specific time requirement, and it is down to what you can commit to. I can indicate my availability in advance and the Employment Advisers then book my time as and when needed. I am also able to decide whether I want to volunteer online or face to face which is great for people who work during the week or have busy schedules.
Because of this flexibility I volunteer during my lunch breaks at work and give support to Breaking Barriers clients in Birmingham even though I live in London, because that is where the need is.
The Employment advisers at Breaking Barriers are amazing and make it so easy to volunteer. They ensure you are well-prepped with briefings, research, and templates you may need for the session in advance and are always there to introduce you to their client beforehand as you rarely support the same person twice.
It was such a welcoming experience and the team made sure that it wasn't just a good match for Breaking Barriers but also a good match for me.
One of my highlights was the induction and training process at the start of my journey with the volunteering team where I learned a lot. It was such a welcoming experience and the team made sure that it wasn’t just a good match for Breaking Barriers but also a good match for me.
Another highlight for me is when I was able to connect a young client who is at university studying engineering, with my brother, who is a design engineer at a medical device company. I followed up with their adviser to suggest introducing them to my brother for more sector specific support. My brother then had a call with the client and their adviser to share his own career experience and some entry level jobs for them to consider in the future. I received great feedback from the adviser about how helpful it was, and my brother and this client can still keep in touch!
Through volunteering I have made really good friends which has been great for my own mental health, giving me that sense of stability and community too. It is also a regular, humbling reminder of how resilient, positive and determined the clients, who have faced many challenges, are. And of what a positive contribution refugees make to society, including through meaningful employment.
I would recommend volunteering at Breaking Barriers because it is a practical, flexible and direct way to offer your skills, empathy and expertise to people in a proactive way. It is the most fulfilling volunteering role I’ve ever done!
My advice to anyone who is thinking of volunteering is, anyone who is in employment or has insight in the UK job market as an employee or employer, has something to give so just reach out and apply, it’s a great way to share your knowledge and skills and I am sure you will learn something as well!