BREAKING BARRIERS is a UK-based nonprofit organisation and registered charity (charity number 1161901) specializing in supporting refugees to find meaningful employment. The charity's mission is to welcome refugees into employment through advice, education, and experience, fostering their financial independence, purpose, and identity. It operates primarily in London and partners with businesses to create sustainable pathways to work for refugees, helping them integrate successfully into UK society.

History and Mission

Founded to address the significant employment challenges faced by refugees—who are four times more likely to be unemployed than the general population—Breaking Barriers assists refugees who have fled war, persecution, and violence and now face additional barriers such as language, unfamiliar work cultures, stigma, and suspicion in the UK. The charity's vision is for every refugee to access meaningful employment and build a new life through step-by-step support.

The organisation emphasizes the power of responsible businesses to drive social change. It works collaboratively with employers to provide direct hiring opportunities, work placements, bespoke recruitment pathways, and funding, alongside employee volunteering initiatives that support refugees directly. Breaking Barriers also delivers education, training, and tailored advice to clients to equip them with the skills and confidence required for long-term employment success.

Activities and Impact

Breaking Barriers offers a range of employment support services designed to help refugees rebuild their lives, including one-to-one guidance, skills workshops, and training programs. The charity has supported over 1,500 refugees, of whom approximately 40% have secured employment after receiving support. Key outcomes include a 91% increase in client motivation and more than 600 clients being offered nearly 700 jobs.

The organisation's approach integrates refugee support with business partnerships to create systemic change in employment opportunities for refugees in the UK. Its innovative model fosters social inclusion and economic independence for refugees.

Funding and Governance

In the financial year ending May 2023, Breaking Barriers reported a total income of approximately £3.8 million and total expenditure of £3.26 million. Funding sources included donations, legacies, charitable activities, and government grants and contracts, with significant support from corporate partners and social mobility initiatives.

The charity benefits from the involvement of business leaders, such as members of the Apax Foundation, which has supported Breaking Barriers since 2017. These partnerships underpin the charity's strategic aim of fostering long-term, sustainable employment solutions for refugees.

Values and Strategy

Breaking Barriers is mission-led, welcoming, entrepreneurial, and collaborative. Its strategy focuses on scaling impact to meet the growing demand for refugee employment support, emphasizing innovation in partnerships and sustained engagement with stakeholders.

Breaking Barriers continues to advocate for an inclusive society where refugees overcome prejudice and thrive through meaningful employment, shaping a future of opportunity and social integration.

[1] https://breaking-barriers.co.uk [2] https://breaking-barriers.co.uk/about-us/ [3] https://www.instagram.com/breakingbarriersuk/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5062363 [5] https://www.apax.com/create/responsibility/apax-foundation/breaking-barriers/