Welcome and Connect helps refugees rebuild confidence and take steps towards learning, volunteering or work.

Many people arrive ready to work but have been unable to do so for a long time. This can affect confidence, routine and wellbeing. People can feel stuck and unsure where to begin.

This project offers practical support to help people understand what is possible and start moving forward again, one step at a time.

We support refugees who are currently economically inactive and want to move forward.

This means people who are not working and are not expected to look for work right now. For example, this could include people receiving health-related benefits, people not working due to caring responsibilities, or people not in education or training. Many people also face barriers such as low confidence, limited English, or poor mental health linked to isolation.

Each person is matched with a trained volunteer who meets with them regularly. Together, they work on building confidence, practising English and taking small practical steps forward.

We also run relaxed group sessions every 4–6 weeks where people can meet others, learn how things work in the UK, and build confidence.
We help people connect with ESOL classes, volunteering, training and other support when they feel ready.

Over time, people feel more confident and less isolated. They begin to understand how services, systems and workplaces work in the UK. Many people feel more able to speak, ask for help, and take part in everyday activities. People start to move into ESOL, volunteering or training.

For some, this leads towards employment. Progress is different for everyone, but people begin to feel more in control of their lives again.

You can refer someone to Welcome and Connect if you think they would benefit from support.

You can also contact us yourself if you would like help. We aim to make the process simple and welcoming. If you are interested in volunteering, we can provide you with training as well as ongoing support

Please get in touch if you would like to refer someone or find out more.