Breaking Barriers is bringing together a network of partners and funders to enable access to employment for refugees and to develop a sustainable presence in new locations.

What we’re funding: The project was founded in response to lack of effective and comprehensive support enabling refugees to access to stable and meaningful employment in the UK. It will bring together a network of partners and funders to build a sustainable presence in new locations, and to create a regional hub in the North West.

Why we’re funding: Breaking Barriers has developed a model that effectively meets refugees’ employment needs within a range of local contexts and networks. We have been consistently impressed by their knowledge of the refugee sector and focus on building a strong evidence base for their work. We recognise the need for this model across the country.

Our grant for core costs will enable the expansion of the Bike Project to more cities across England and the delivery of its core projects for refugees and asylum seekers.

What we’re funding: The Bike Project sources, refurbishes, and delivers bikes, enabling refugees and asylum seekers to enjoy the financial, practical, social, and emotional benefits of bike ownership. Our funding of core costs will enable its expansion to six cities across England and the continued delivery of its core programmes: Pedal Power, Bike Buddies, and training and volunteering opportunities.

Why we’re funding: The Bike Project does crucial work tackling the impact of lack of mobility on the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum. With the growing number of refugees and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, the need for this work continues, and its approach remains a practical but powerful solution. This is a cost effective, scalable model with clear benefits for many aspects of a refugee or asylum seeker’s life.

We’re funding core costs to enable research and to support the replication of safe homes for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged 16+.

What we’re funding: The Enthum Foundation offers supported accommodation for up to 14 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) aged 16+. They live in personal and creative homes that are free of the usual air of multi-occupied institutions. Our funding will sustain and consolidate their existing two houses and enable them to fund further research and replicate these homes elsewhere.

Why we’re funding: Grounded in a vision of better care for society’s most disadvantaged young people, the work of The Enthum Foundation addresses an area of high need for unaccompanied UASC with mental health issues. Our funding of their core costs is based on their development of a humane and effective model with potential for replication.