Breaking Barriers
Breaking Barriers enables refugees in London to acquire the knowledge, confidence and experience they need to secure stable and fulfilling jobs. The charity offers bespoke, intensive and flexible employment support to assist individuals to integrate in the UK and create fulfilling lives.
Integral to the charity’s work is partnerships with businesses, together developing long-term, sustainable solutions to the issue of refugee resettlement. Approximately 34% of refugees are unemployed compared to a nationwide unemployment rate of 4%*. Breaking Barriers partners directly with businesses who provide work experience placements and deliver skills-based workshops for refugees to gain vital work experience and develop the skills they need to secure long-term employment.
The Apax Foundation has supported Breaking Barriers since 2017 as part of its social mobility programme, and Apax Vice President Andrew Waidhofer serves on Breaking Barriers’ board of Trustees.
As a son of immigrants myself, I know first-hand the difficulties of starting a new life in a country which is unfamiliar in so many aspects. Breaking Barriers’ focus on helping support immigrants through every step towards employment, whilst cultivating direct partnerships with businesses, is both impressive and unique; and one that I am incredibly privileged to be associated with.
Andrew Waidhofer
Vice President, Apax Partners