Maryna’s story
Ukrainian doctor, Maryna, shares her journey of rebuilding her healthcare career in the UK, with the help of our Language and Re-accreditation Programmes.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 has now closed
We did it! A huge thank you to everyone who got involved.
We are thrilled to announce that we hit our target! Thanks to your incredible generosity and our match funders, we have raised vital funds to help refugees break the language barrier, build their confidence, gain qualifications, and access meaningful work.
Still want to get involved? If you missed the Big Give week but would still like to support our mission, you can make a donation via our main support page here.
About this year’s campaign
The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 ran from 2nd–9th December. This year, our campaign was devoted to unlocking the English language for refugees.
Why we need your help
Refugees flee their homes in fear, from war, persecution, and violence. Many leave behind not just their belongings but their families and their livelihoods. To start again, to build a new life, they need extraordinary strength. And the right support.
Refugees are around three times more likely to be unemployed than people born in the UK. Without strong English, even highly qualified individuals are locked out of work and education. But it’s hard to overcome this barrier when you’re facing cuts to government funding for language courses, long waiting lists, or digital exclusion.
How you made a difference
Your donation to the Big Give Christmas Challenge goes directly to fund Breaking Barriers’ specialist Language Programme. That means you’ve helped with:
- Help refugees access free, tailored English classes through our network of over 160 education partners.
- Cover the cost of essential English qualifications required by professional bodies, employers, and universities.
- Fund one-to-one guidance from dedicated caseworkers to connect refugees directly with job opportunities and future employment pathways.
While the campaign is closed, you can still donate to help refugees break down the barriers they face to finding work.
