Listen. Learn. Support. What Refugee Week Reminds Us about Community

At City & Guilds, we believe in the life-changing power of skills. But we also know that skills alone aren’t always enough to help people succeed.

That’s why, through the City & Guilds Foundation we’ve been working with grassroots charities and partners since 2022 to help refugees and displaced people access training, build confidence, and find meaningful work.

Here’s a little bit about  the impact we’re making. Since launching our Displaced People Fund in 2022, we’ve:

• Supported 445 refugees with training and qualifications, and helped 124 people into work or further training
• Partnered with 56 organisations who’ve earned credentials for supporting refugees into employment
• Created £2.6 million in social value – that’s £11.27 for every £1 invested

As Dick Palmer, Chair of the City & Guilds Foundation and Trustee, puts it:

“I am amazed by the degree of change that quality training and recognition, leading to meaningful work, has on those who desperately need it – often in the most traumatic of circumstances.”

“Community as a superpower”

16-22  June marked Refugee week, with this year’s theme being “Community as a Superpower”, a timely reminder of what it really takes to rebuild a life.

Over the week, we wanted to bring to life and celebrate some of the achievements from our charity partners

Explore recruitment best practice and toolkits

“Supporting people with skills is more than employment. It’s about giving them the tools to reclaim their dignity, restore their confidence and fully participate in society,” says Meelad, Tailored Support Coordinator, The Launchpad Collective.

If you’re a hiring manager – or just curious about how to do better – these resources are a great place to start:

Check out the Launchpad Collective’s free e-module, which is packed with practical tips including how to get started, recognising the benefits, preparing your existing team, and improving and sustaining change. You’ll even earn a digital credential to share on LinkedIn.

You can also download CIPD Trust’s Hiring refugees: Guide for people professionals guide which offers recommendations for businesses on recruitment, induction and ongoing support.

Listen, watch and learn

“Supporting refugee communities into work isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s crucial for our economy. Refugees bring skills, experience and determination, and businesses need to take that seriously,” says Jessica Ridgewell from Breaking Barriers.

You can hear more from Jessica on our “Unlocking Hidden Refugee Talent” podcast which is part of our City & Guilds’ Foundation and Friends series.

Find out more about how the City & Guilds Foundation commitment to supporting refugees into employment –  City & Guilds Foundation – Helping refugees find meaningful employment

My (Refugee) Life – Documentary

Breaking Barriers has worked to produce an award-winning documentary My (Refugee) Life, which tells the real-life journeys of five refugees as they build new lives in the UK, grappling with housing, work, family, and education. It’s a moving reminder that behind every news headline and statistic is a person with hopes, talents, and potential.

You can watch the documentary here: My (Refugee) Life

Learn and Get Involved

Read more about the great work Routes is doing, to support women from refugee background in accessing training opportunities through their flagship mentoring programme twice a year – What we learned about making applications more accessible – for refugee women and for all | City & Guilds Foundation

Find out more about the Positive Youth Foundation and the Involved Programme that supports the integration of newly arrived refugee and asylum-seeking young people – Celebrating the achievements of young people with Positive Youth Foundation | City & Guilds Foundation

In summary, Refugee Week’s theme — Community as a Superpower — reminds us that rebuilding a life takes more than just opportunity; it takes belonging, support, and collective action. At City & Guilds, we’re proud to work alongside grassroots partners who bring this vision to life every day — helping refugees and displaced people access training, build confidence, and find meaningful work. The impact so far is clear, but there’s still more to do. Whether you’re an employer, educator, or advocate, we invite you to listen, learn, and get involved — because when communities come together, real change happens.