Two couples from Ukraine helped through employment scheme
Two couples fleeing the war in Ukraine were referred to us for employment support by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and were keen to start earning as soon as possible.
One of the couples, D and N*, are now both in full time work after assistance from Liz, an employment adviser for our Working Homes initiative.
D has a degree in translation and speaks four languages but her real ambition is to become a make-up artist. She was given guidance on finding work and now has a job in a pharmacy where she plans to use her staff discount to buy make-up to start her own business.
Her husband N was studying dentistry when the couple fled Ukraine. Liz helped him write his CV and showed him how to search for work. He will continue studying for his final year with his Ukraine university, whilst supporting himself working as a hotel room attendant. Liz gave him advice on what he needed to do to practice as a dentist in the UK, as well as gain his UK driving license and an English language qualification.
Liz said: “It has been an absolute pleasure supporting D and N; their determination and resilience has been inspiring. With a bit of support, they have taken it upon themselves to find work and have been amazingly proactive and positive about building a life for themselves here.”
*Names not provided to respect the privacy of the individuals
Debbie, also an employment adviser, has supported K and M* who were also keen to start working as soon as possible.
M was finishing his final year of studying to become a dentist and Liz and Debbie discovered that, amazingly, the two trainee dentists had been studying at the same university and knew of each other. They were put in touch and have been a huge support to each other.
M is now working as a dental assistant, while his partner K continues to study online for her master’s degree. She was also helped in her search for work to support her studies and is now in a permanent job as a logistics manager.
She said: “Suddenly we had to start our life again in another country whilst dealing with what we’d been through. To know we had someone on hand to give us career advice and help us to navigate the UK job market has been a huge relief and a big contributing factor to how quickly we’ve settled in.”
The Working Homes scheme provides employment programmes and advice for customers as well as others in the local community who need assistance. See our website or email employment@ravenht.org.uk to find out more.
