EDT partners with Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Councils to support refugees to find work in the UK through new programme

Refugee Assist is part of a new initiative, the People Hub, which groups 12 providers to offer free advice and support for anyone looking for help to find work, training or education. The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Cornwall Council has been chosen by the government as a lead authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UKSPF in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 

Refugee Assist offers specialist support for those who have the right to live and work in the UK, aiming to move up to 150 refugees towards or into work or if they are in work already, support them to improve their skills. Our delivery team will be working with a wide range of people who have English as a barrier to employment – this may include Ukrainian, Afghan, Sudanese and Syrian nationalities. 

We offer one-to-one support to create a curriculum vitae (CV, a document which summarises a person’s career, qualifications, and education), apply for jobs, or explore volunteering, training, and work experience options. Our team are also working hard with local colleges and language schools to integrate ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) learning into the programme.

“We are pleased to have EDT join the People Hub project as one of our specialist partners. EDT’s skills and experience will be a great support for refugees, from helping them connect with the local area to accessing training, and securing volunteering and employability opportunities. We are proud of the support the People Hub project offers and the positive impact it has had on many residents of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”  

Claire Hewitt, Partnership and Events Coordinator, Cornwall Council  

“Our new partnership with the CIOS People Hub in Cornwall is a great opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in working with refugees to support their progression towards training and work.

“The People Hub is an excellent initiative bringing the best employability providers around the table to offer a one stop shop to those with barriers to employment in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. As part of this partnership, we are able to offer a holistic and tailored service to those we support.

“We anticipate working with a variety of refugees from different backgrounds and with differing needs, and our team of professional staff will use a hybrid model of delivery to reach people in a way that best suits their needs.”  

Melanie Rignall, Contract Manager, Refugee Assist programme  

At EDT, we have significant experience in improving teaching and learning in refugee settings, including supporting the training of Syrian refugee teachers in Lebanon and Jordan in our work with Alexandria Schools Trust, developing the global evidence base on education for refugees and internally displaced persons in partnership with IIEP-UNESCO.

Find out more about the Refugee Assist programme and our work in supporting refugee education.