Employment Support

Refugee Resource’s Employment Service is for refugees and asylum seekers with permission to work. Currently we deliver this service in partnership with a number of local partners.

We signpost clients to get help with

• deciding what job to look for

• where to look for jobs (jobsearch)

• application forms

• CVs

• job interview practice

• advice on training for work

• getting an unpaid work placement with a local employer to get work experience and work references

We can support people who are

• unemployed

• already in work but wanting a better job

• thinking about getting a job in the future, but not yet

To make an appointment phone the office or call in.

We have a drop-in resource area in (no appointment needed) with newspapers, information about work and employers, and computers attached to the internet for jobsearch and job applications.

From time to time we run a number of employment related workshops.

We work with a project for refugee health professionals

We also have a bursary fund which gives grants to help access work or training (see below).

Contact us for further details 

Bursary fund

Refugee Resource has limited funds to help refugees and asylum seekers in Oxfordshire to overcome barriers to employment and study. The maximum grant is £200 per year for any one person. Grants can pay for:

• Fees for college or university up to £200

• Course books (maximum £150 of the £200)

• Equipment for a course

• Equipment to help start work

• Travel costs to attend an interview.

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We regret we cannot fund

• driving lessons

• security badges

• travel costs to college, regular travel or bus passes.

Decisions are at the discretion of Refugee Resource.

Download bursary application form

Refugee Health Professionals Fund

The Oxford Refugee Health Professionals Support Project supports refugees and asylum seekers who qualified overseas as doctors, nurses, dentists, midwives and other healthcare workers. It is funded by Oxford Deanery for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (PGMDE) and offers

• Information, advice and guidance about re-qualifying in the UK and pathways back to work in the National Health Service

• Help with IELTS, the English language exam that health professionals must pass

we can arrange tuition for the IELTS exam (when there are enough people for a class)

we have some IELTS resources to borrow

• Expenses for books, exam fees and other items you need to requalify

• Work opportunities

Several project members have been helped to find work as Healthcare Assistants or Doctor’s Assistants in local hospitals. This helps to build up knowledge of the NHS, and confidence in communicating with patients and colleagues in English.

Download bursary application form