Olena’s Story

“I was referred to Breaking Barriers by the Refugee Council. After feeling like I was not qualified for anything, my advisor helped me through feelings of being lost by writing an action plan, and opening my mind to the opportunities of working in the mental health care sector.

I worked back in Ukraine as a volunteer coordinator in a mental health organisation, and I was also a youth engagement manager and a volunteer counsellor in the same place. But when I arrived here, I felt that my English was not enough for the labour market. I was unable to transfer my qualifications and certificates from Ukraine due to the war in my country, and I realised when I arrived that not having experience here is a barrier to getting interviews. I was also not trained to do interviews the way it’s done in the UK.

Mental health issues were a big part of the barriers that I faced. I was not motivated, and I felt stunned and unable to ask for help. Breaking Barriers was able to assist through having an adviser that cared and extended help to me, which in turn allowed me to get motivated again and find employment.

I’m currently working for the West London NHS Trust as an assistant psychological wellbeing practitioner. I started in February and I’m happy and satisfied with this job. During this time, my Breaking Barriers adviser and volunteers helped me in interview preparation and CV writing. Being assisted by Breaking Barriers opened my eyes to see other opportunities for work and that’s how I ended up getting this position I’m in today.

I loved my experience with Breaking Barriers. For the first time in the UK I felt that someone actually cared about me, cared about my work prospects and guided me towards getting a job and getting on my own two feet. I want to continue getting qualifications in my field and become a CBT practitioner. I dream of maybe one day going back to my country and putting to use all the new skills I learned here to help people in Ukraine.”