Through our specialist employment support programmes, we are continuing to address the unique challenges refugees face when settling into a new community.
Since September 2023, refugees across the West Midlands and the North West have been accessing our expert support through the Refugee Employability Programme, helping them to become fully independent.
When Kurdish refugee, Ahmad, fled Iran with his wife, his mental health began to decline following the trauma of losing his home and identity. Settling in West Cheshire, Ahmad, an architect in his own country, not only faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding his life in a foreign country but also his career.
He explained: “We had lost everything, our family, home and all that we knew. I did not know English language. I did not have a job and my life felt very dark. I needed to look at all opportunities that were available to me and finding Maximus opened a big door of light for me to start again.”
Ahmad joined the Refugee Employability Programme in November 2023 and started working with his Case Manager, Ivan Yip, and English Language Trainer, John O’Hare. Together they provided him with comprehensive support including wellbeing sessions to help with his mental health, career profiling and employability development training such as, understanding business English to prepare him for work in the UK.
Ivan, Ahmad’s Case Manager, said: “Ahmad was struggling to find work and lacked confidence when we first met but he was eager to learn. He had a passion for cooking and was really keen to give back to his community, so we sourced courses to help him start up his own takeaway business.”
Ahmad identified premises and has now set up his own Shawarma takeaway business to provide fresh affordable food as well as jobs for the local refugee community.
Maximus English Language Trainer, John O’Hare, added: “If you can’t speak the language, you are going to struggle to get a job or access courses to upskill. Ahmad could speak a little English and with practise he has adapted his skills to set up his own business in a very short space of time.
“When he said he wanted to open his own Shawarma restaurant, we knew he could do it and make it successful. His journey has been phenomenal, and he is an inspiration to the refugee community.”
Reflecting on his journey, Ahmad explained: “At first, I thought I was alone, but Maximus inspired me to believe that I have choices. They can change the world for people like me, and I now have hope again. I am very happy and that’s thanks to Maximus.”
