THE international Rescue Committee (IRC) hosted a successful ‘refugees into work’ event at the Albemarle Centre in Taunton.

The event hosted experts from the IRC, World Jewish Relief and Unseen UK in Taunton on Monday, September 23, who shared strategies for refugee employment and integration in South West England.

This builds upon the IRC’s work across the UK, where the organisation has supported more than 2,000 refugees, providing integration, employment, leadership and mentoring courses.

The event featured expert speakers, including the IRC’s director of UK resettlement, asylum and integration, Genevieve Caston, World Jewish Relief’s STEP Forward programme manager Abelia Leskin and Unseen UK’s Policy and partnerships manager Hilary Agg.

Drawing on their extensive experience working with refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, the speakers shared advice on overcoming integration barriers, avoiding labour exploitation, and using strengths-based coaching approaches.

Attendees included staff from Jobcentre Plus, the Department for Work and Pensions, and local councils, and the event provided valuable networking opportunities for practitioners to share experiences in supporting refugees.

Genevieve Caston said: "This event exemplifies commitment from organisations across the South West to supporting refugees as they establish new lives and careers.

“With the right support we know that refugees can secure employment, leading to independence and the ability to thrive in their local communities. In turn, this allows the local community to benefit from the diverse strengths and skills of new arrivals.”