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Refugee social enterprise marks ‘most impactful’ year yet
A non-profit social enterprise that supports refugees to rebuild their lives has marked the “most impactful” year on record.
ACH has helped hundreds of refugees in Bristol over the past year through housing, training and employment support.
According to the organisation’s latest impact report, ACH supported 292 refugees and migrants into accommodation in Bristol and helped more than 500 people live independently across the city.
Chief executive Fuad Mahamed said the last 12 months had been the organisation’s “most impactful yet”, helping newly recognised refugees move “from crisis to contribution”.
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He said: “The last 12 months have been our most impactful yet. For many newly recognised refugees starting a new life in Bristol, it can be extremely unsettling, isolating and overwhelming knowing who or where to turn to for the right type of support.
“We’re extremely proud to have been able to continue to help refugees overcome these challenges across the city by providing them with the right support at the right time, which is fundamental for helping them move from crisis to contribution.”
The report also highlighted education and employment initiatives, including enrolling 430 learners on accredited and non-accredited courses.
Mohammed from Sudan was referred to ACH’s Bridge to Employment programme and then landed a job at Bristol Waste – photo: Bristol Waste
ACH’s Accelerated Cooking and Entrepreneurship (ACE) programme, delivered with Coexist Community Kitchen, helped 23 refugees and migrants develop catering and business skills, with some graduates later selling food at venues including St Nicholas Market.
Meanwhile, its Bridge to Employment programme helped participants secure jobs across Bristol, including roles at Bristol Waste Company and Pret A Manger, such as Mohammed from Sudan and Happy from Hong Kong respectively.
ACH does not currently work with asylum seekers with those already granted status, helping them build independence.
For the last 17 years, the social enterprise has helped some 20,000 individuals.
Happy from Hong Kong who came to the UK with no industry qualifications or experience was put through the paces before securing a job at Pret A Manger – photo: Pret
One such recent success story is that of Tetiana who arrived in Bristol in 2022 from Ukraine, with plenty of ambition, but limited resources and language fluency.
After completing an ESOL course at Exeter College and then progressing to Level 2 qualification in Business Administration built her communications skills and confidence. She is currently working as a business support assistant at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory at UWE Bristol and continues to volunteer in ACH’s marketing team.
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ACH was founded in Bristol back in 2008 with its headquarters in Eastville. The social enterprise also has a significant presence in the Midlands.
Main photo: ACH
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