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Refugee Volunteers Bring Skills to Manchester Workplaces

19 April 2004

A doctor, a childcare worker and a lawyer are just some of the refugees and asylum seekers overcoming barriers to working in the UK by enrolling in a unique volunteer project aimed at bringing refugee skills to Manchester workplaces.

More than 30 Manchester-based organisations have signed up to Refugee Action’s Horizons project, to be launched in the city on April 21st. The scheme will offer refugees and asylum seekers the opportunity to share their skills through voluntary work. Organisations like the British Red Cross, Age Concern and basic skills tutors Chorlton Workshop have been inspired to offer volunteer placements for refugees and asylum seekers with appropriate skills.

Asylum seekers are not allowed to work but even those with refugee status face difficulties finding employment. Horizons will match refugee skills with the needs of employers and give volunteers an opportunity to gain valuable experience of British workplaces, says Sandy Buchan, Chief Executive of Refugee Action.

“Refugees and asylum seekers are keen to have the chance to make a worthwhile contribution to life in this country. Some are doctors, solicitors or accountants with high levels of professional training. Others have less direct work experience but want to find useful activities whilst their asylum cases are being decided.”

Brian, a young Zimbabwean man with childcare experience, was one of the first to sign up for volunteer work through Horizons. He wants to find a position working with children.

“I looked after four children in Zimbabwe and I really enjoyed the work. I would love to work with children in this country but as an asylum seeker I can’t work. If I can volunteer it’ll be a good way to get experience and a reference for a future job.”

The service is being offered to adult refugees and asylum seekers in the Greater Manchester area. Volunteers are unpaid but most organizations reimburse expenses such as meals or travel. Emma Roberts of Chorlton Workshop, an adult education centre, is happy to work with the Horizons project to actively recruit asylum seekers and refugees.

“Our students come from a variety of backgrounds so we need people who have a knowledge of other cultures and other languages. Refugees and asylum seekers are practical and have the know-how to support our students. They are committed and professional and learn very quickly.”

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact: Refugee Action’s press office on 020 7654 7714/7707 or 07810 757 752 (out of hours).

Notes to editors

Horizons will be launched on Wednesday April 21st at 12 noon at Cross Street Unitarian Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL. Clients will be available for interview on the day.

In a survey by Personnel Today almost 30 per cent of refugees surveyed had a university degree and a further 25 per cent possessed A-level or GCSE equivalents. More than half had more than three years’ relevant work experience in their country of origin and 61 per cent had more than three months’ work experience in the UK. (Personnel Today, Nov 2001)

Asylum seekers do not currently have the right to work while their claim is being considered, but the Home Office has told refugee agencies: “We are keen to see asylum seekers take an active interest in the welfare of their own communities by undertaking voluntary activity while they are in the UK.” (Letter from Home Office to Refugee Action, 9 October 2002)

Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work. As one of the country’s leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has more than 21 years’ experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees.

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