Supporting young refugees in rebuilding their lives

In recent years, the number of people who fled their homelands has reached its highest since the Second World War. This phenomenon has been widely referred to as the “refugee crisis”. Escaping violent conflicts and persecution, many end up internally displaced or fleeing to neighbouring countries.

For those who arrive on Europe’s shores, including the UK, their difficulties are intensified trying to navigate an unfamiliar environment. Already likely to encounter linguistic and cultural barriers, many also find themselves battling a serpentine bureaucracy that leaves them further marginalised.

Almost 4 in every 5 asylum seekers in the EU are under 35 years of age and more than 90,000 of those are unaccompanied minors (i.e. under the age of 18 and traveling alone).

These stats showcase of the importance of including asylum seekers and refugees in policy and programmes focused on young people more broadly, whether that’s housing, health, education, training or youth employment, whilst paying attention to the circumstances which are specific to their situation. In the context of employment, young asylum seekers, refugees and unaccompanied minors can face disruptions in their education, along with other interruptions resulting from changes in rights and entitlements following their 18th birthday. Drawn out waiting times for a decision on their claim, during which they cannot work or claim benefits, and being entitled to only £37.75 per week in asylum support, also contributes to the deskilling, poverty and deteriorating mental health common in many asylum seekers.

In recent years, youth organisations across the UK have provided vital provision for young refugees. However, it’s clear that a lot more needs to be done to support refugees in rebuilding their lives.

Starbucks has been a valued partner of UK Youth for over six years, during which they’ve funded social action projects led by young people and an employability programme piloted last year, which empowered NEET young people with the confidence, skills and experience needed to engage with employment. The Youth Action programme offers masterclasses for young people to enable them to learn life skills through employability training. They then have the opportunity to put these new skills into practice in a networking environment and create their own business by running local community cafes.

Reacting to the changing needs of young people, this year UK Youth has adapted their Youth Action programme to deliver to young refugees in Bristol.

Though the programme structure remains broadly the same, employability training takes place over a slightly longer time period, allowing deeper engagement with the content, which has also been tailored to fit the needs of refugee youth. This includes offering information on the UK jobs market, and workshops which foster communication, resilience and intercultural competencies, offering participants the knowledge, skills and attitudes that would serve them in any future context. Though basic knowledge of English is required to take part, the course was designed to be as experiential as possible and thus accessible to those with varying language abilities. 

UK Youth has linked up with ACH to deliver this programme, due to their specialised knowledge in the resettlement of refugees through labour market and social integration. Aside from providing a range of services that make this possible, an important part of their work is redefining the mainstream narrative surrounding refugees as one of potential and enrichment of their host communities.

We are excited to be working with ACH, given their expertise in this area and our history and track record in supporting young people of all backgrounds to fully participate in society, and engage with education, training or employment.  

Where to next?

• Find out about our Starbucks Employment Support Programme
• Read our blog on Undiscovered Potential – Why Employers Need to Rethink Refugees
• Contact holly.fowden@ach.org.uk or call 0117 941 5339 for information on taking part