Sign up to our newsletter for more information about the work of Elmbridge CAN Latest news Here you can read our latest newsletters, which we issue roughly once per quarter. You can register to receive future newsletters here . If you want to get informed about the bigger picture, head to our Get informed page . Tutoring opportunities We were delighted that so many of the young people we have been helping through tutoring or educational placements have passed their GCSEs and A'Levels, with some also being accepted into universities. Others, who have often arrived as teenagers and have to dramatically improve their English quickly, have been disappointed and have to navigate the confusing system of retaking exams, and we always try to continue to support them. We need more tutor volunteers, particularly in English and maths. If you can give your time, please see our volunteering page for more information and for details on how to apply. Our newsletters In May 2026, we published a special edition of our newsletter announcing the exciting news that Judy Sarsby had been appointed Mayor of Elmbridge for 2026–27 - and that she had chosen Elmbridge CAN as her charity of the year (alongside the Mayor of Elmbridge Trust). Our April 2026 newsletter focussed on our upcoming exhibition to celebrate 10 years of Elmbridge CAN, showcasing the work of some talented artists we've supported. Our February 2026 newsletter gave an update on the year so far and announced our upcoming 10 year anniversary! Read more here. Our mid-December 2025 newsletter gave a brief round-up of the year's activities and focussed on our recent Christmas party for supported families, with lots of lovely photos. Occasionally we send an additional newsletter on a specific issue or campaign - the early December 2025 edition urged supporters to help us smash our Big Give target of £10,000. With their help, WE DID IT!! We're so very grateful to everyone who pledged, donated and shared our campaign. In our October 2025 newsletter we gave an update on the Big Give Christmas Challenge and on our work in 2025 so far. We also highlighted Hasina's Story. Our August 2025 newsletter called for your help: "we're eligible for Champion Funding from The Big Give this Christmas! That means any donation given to us between 2nd and 9th December 2025 will be match-funded and will give our charity the funding boost it needs. If someone donates £50 this December, Elmbridge CAN will get £100." Elmbridge CAN has been a great support to me... They have supported me financially and emotionally as well as helped with documents that are related to bills, hospitals, school etc. They have also helped me in finding a place to live and helped me with getting food and travel. I really appreciate their help as without them I would have been lost and homeless. PU

Information about the UK education system and childcare options for children. Children In the UK, education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 16. There are five stages of education: Early years Primary Secondary Further Education (FE) Higher Education - university (HE) Education Further Education is not compulsory and includes any study after secondary education that is not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree. Courses range from basic English and Maths to Higher National Diplomas (HND). Higher Education is study beyond A levels and their equivalent which, for most full-time students, takes place in universities and colleges. Primary and secondary school: registering your child in a local school and other information How does my child apply for higher education courses and university? Childcare for young children What childcare support do I get for my pre-school children in the UK? Holiday activities What kids clubs and holiday activities are available for my children? After school clubs Once your child reaches school age, you might be able to use Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare to financially support pre and after school care (known as wraparound care). If you need extra childcare support to work or your children are full of energy; keen to make new friends or looking for a new hobby, there are many activities available for children after school in the Elmbridge area. The first place to ask about after school clubs would be your child’s school. There are lots of other activities in Elmbridge to keep children busy. See our What’s On page for more information. Additional childcare support More information on where to find extra support: Surrey County Council Choosing Childcare . Free Parenting Course - Surrey County Council delivers courses to support parents (with children of different ages) through the complexities of parenting. Spurgeons - Elmbridge Family Centre Services Spurgeons support families with parenting children age 0-11. Home-Start Elmbridge - Home Start provide support to families in Elmbridge. Tutoring Elmbridge CAN works with a small number of volunteer tutors who provide free, one-to-one tutoring support in a variety of subjects including English, Maths and Science. We are a small team, and often fully booked, so we may not be able immediately to meet your child’s needs. If you would like to be added to our waiting list, please get in touch by emailing contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk giving your child’s name, age, school year and the subject they are looking for help in. In addition to our face-to-face tutors, we also work closely with the sixth form of a local school whose students offer online tutoring for students up to GCSE level. If this would be of interest, please get in touch. Revision support for secondary school children There are many online apps and resources that can help your child with their revision. Please make sure you check the GCSE exam board you are studying ie AQA, Edexcel, OCR, before using the websites or revision books to ensure you are focusing on the correct content. Still no answer to your question? Surrey Family Information Service (FIS) is a free impartial information and signposting service for families with children aged 0 to 25. We can help you find organisations and services that may be able to support your family including information about childcare, finances, parenting and activities in your local area. www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/families

A story about students from Syria who Elmbridge CAN have supported Syrian students Ayram is 18 years old now, studying law at the University of Surrey in Guildford. It is a dream that once seemed impossible when she fled a burning Syrian refugee camp at the age of seven. Never far from her thoughts is Areej, her neighbour and best friend who never made it out of the camp. ‘Sometimes I feel like I am doing this for her,’ Ayram explains. ‘When we were together, we used to talk about schools because we had no education in the camps.” Ayram and her two sisters left their home in Damascus when the Syrian War became so intense in the city that their parents were left with no other option than finding a way out. ‘There was literally no choice for us,’ Ayram continues. ‘Originally, we thought it would be a few weeks of protest and everything would go back to normal. But people started dying in ground attacks around us and there were airstrikes and bombings, with buildings all around us collapsing. The family headed south and crossed the border into Jordan where they spent six weeks at the Zaatari Refugee Camp, which at one point was home to over 100,000 refugees. It was a brutal and overcrowded environment where nobody was safe. ‘The Syrian regime would send people to attack the camps. They would pretend to be refugees but then they would set fire to the camps. Our tent burnt but we managed to escape, as my dad was awake at the time and he got us all out. But Areej’s family next to us didn’t get out. It was a really hard thing to witness and I will never forget it.’ Mohammed, 19, and Ali, 18, are brothers from Kobani, close to Syria’s northern border with Turkey. The small city and its surrounding area came under attack from Islamic State in September 2014. The Siege of Kobani lasted for five months and had a devastating human impact, leading to over 300,000 Kurdish refugees being displaced to Turkey. Mohammed and Ali had left home with their mother and three other brothers in search of safety, several months before the IS attack. They joined their father in Erbil, Kurdistan, where he had found work in the construction industry. ‘It was emotional leaving our home, saying goodbye to our grandparents,’ Ali recalls. ‘We didn’t know if we’d see them again and now it’s been over 10 years since I’ve seen them.’ ‘We were lucky,’ Mohammed insists. ‘But all my cousins and their families struggled a lot. My grandparents still live in Kobani now. At the moment it is safe, but you can never really call it safe as you never know when something will start up again.’ Mohammed is studying accountancy and finance at Oxford Brookes University while Ali is taking a biomedical science degree at University of Westminster. Along with Ayram, they represent the successes of the Syrian resettlement programme and demonstrate what can be achieved with the right support network. Mohammed and Ali arrived in Surrey in August 2017 after spending three years in Kurdistan. After leaving Zaatari Refugee Camp, Ayram spent five years in Jordan, where her education suffered, before being resettled to the UK in March 2018. ‘We arrived at night and were so tired when we got here,’ Ayram says. ‘I remember falling asleep in the clothes I was wearing. I woke up the next day and looked out of the window and it had been snowing. I had never seen snow before. I just thought it would be like this a lot of the time, but it hasn’t snowed since!’ None of the new arrivals spoke English when they came to the country, but that soon changed. ‘When I first came here, I was doing a sort of sign language to socialise with people,’ Ayram adds. ‘Everyone was so nice, they wanted to help me understand. We used Google Translate sometimes. Everyone did their best to put me in a comfortable situation and that really helped. It made me think, “Okay, I’m not hated here”. I knew I could take my time to get it right, and within a year I could speak English.’ ‘When you are in a school with English people you catch on really quickly,’ Mohammed adds. ‘It was challenging being in a new country with new people but I’m quite a social person. I used to play every sport at school and then I played football out of school for Oxshott Royals as a left winger. I played with them for a few seasons and I met loads of people that way.’ ‘I have Elmbridge CAN to thank for all the help they gave us with homework,’ says Ali. ‘We were able to bring an adult translator in for the lessons at first. After school a volunteer called Carly helped me, tutoring me twice a week with chemistry and maths. Then Sue used to take us shopping because we didn't have a car, that was so helpful. They have so many volunteers who provide support.’ That assistance gave Ali the confidence to visit another school in Oxshott and give a charity talk to the other pupils about his journey from Syria, to Kurdistan and finally the UK. Education has opened up a new life to all three of them and that has not been something these young students have taken for granted. ‘Since I was little, I have always dreamed about going to university and having this amazing life’ Ayram continues. ‘When we went to Jordan, the Syrians there were not allowed to work so Mum and Dad could not continue their jobs. We had to survive off anything we could. Coming here, that whole dream of university returned. My dad has been able to work again too. I have always wanted to help people. Elmbridge CAN has played a big part in helping us so I want to give back to society and help. To be a human rights lawyer or an immigration lawyer would be great, to go around the world and help people. Some people can’t afford lawyers so I’d like to be able to help those who struggle. I can help in places where there is need, maybe even refugee camps one day.’ Ali hopes his degree will lead to a career in dentistry. He remembers his brothers having painful tooth extraction treatment without access to the right medical care before they came to the UK. Mohammed has always been good with numbers and is planning for a career as a chartered accountant in London. ‘At the beginning of uni when we had our ‘ice breakers’ chats and I told the other students I was from Syria they were surprised,’ Ayram reveals. ‘Some were saying, “Oh My God, what happened? Tell us your story.” Some people already knew quite a bit about what happened in Syria but others knew nothing at all. I like talking about it because it is part of my experience in life, and what happened drove me here.’ Ayram thinks back to her childhood conversations in the refugee camp and perhaps the biggest inspiration of all, her friend Areej. ‘We used to say, “We can go to school when we get out of here”. Education is my way to survive in this world. We dreamed about this, so I am doing this for me and for her.’

Our small staff team supports and underpins the work of our volunteers. Our team Our volunteers are - and always have been - the lifeblood of our organisation. We rely heavily on our team of nearly 100 talented volunteers, who come from all walks of life and bring diverse skills and experience. Since 2022 we have built a small staff team (currently eight members of staff - approximately five full-time employees - led by our two co-directors) to support and underpin the work of our volunteers, most of whom work part-time. They are guided by a strong and committed trustee board.

Jay recounts how she and her family fled Afghanistan under persecution and were given a safe home in Elmbridge. Jay's story Persecuted in Afghanistan for their religion, Jay and her husband had to make the difficult choice to leave their birth country to protect their family. She had no idea that she would end up in the UK. Theirs is a story of a long journey with tragic loss along the way, yet ultimate sanctuary and integration into Elmbridge, where they finally feel safe.

Art, memory and belonging at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre 10 Years of Rebuilding Lives Together Art, memory and belonging at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre Every artwork in the exhibition commemorating 10 years of Elmbridge CAN carried something of home. 10 Years of Rebuilding Lives Together celebrated the creativity, talent and resilience of artists who have rebuilt their lives in the UK after being forced to leave their homes, while giving visitors a unique opportunity to meet the artists themselves and learn more about the stories behind their work. Bringing together artists from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria and the wider Elmbridge CAN community, the exhibition explored themes of identity, culture, memory and belonging through painting, photography, textiles, poetry, traditional crafts and sculpture. Visitors were invited to look beyond headlines and connect with the experiences, talents and perspectives behind each piece. The exhibition also marked an important moment for Elmbridge CAN as it officially launched the charity's year as the Mayor of Elmbridge's chosen charity. Opened by the new Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Judy Sarsby, the event formed part of the celebrations marking the beginning of her mayoral year and brought together artists, supporters, volunteers and local residents in a spirit of welcome and community. While each artist brought their own unique story, common themes ran throughout the exhibition. Memory, belonging, resilience, cultural identity and hope all found expression through their work. For some artists, creativity became a way of making sense of major life changes. Ukrainian artist YB began painting only after arriving in England, transforming homesickness and loss into striking surreal works that explore memory, identity and beauty. SM's work reflected journeys of change, healing and hope, while AS examined how identity is shaped by memory, personal experience and the world around us. The exhibition also celebrated the traditions and cultural heritage that people carry with them wherever they go. MH's glass paintings drew on Persian decorative arts, TA showcased traditional Afghan clothing and jewellery, and TM shared vibrant Ukrainian folk art inspired by both her homeland and the natural beauty she has discovered in the UK. Other artists explored identity through photography, poetry and painting. GL's Code of the Nation celebrated Ukrainian culture and everyday life, while young poet NB shared his dream of peace through a poem written after arriving in England as a child. Together, the works highlighted the many ways creativity can help people express experiences, preserve memories and build connections. The exhibition was made possible through the generous support of Riverhouse Barn, whose beautiful venue provided a welcoming setting for the event. Throughout the week, visitors from across Elmbridge had the chance not only to enjoy the artwork but also to meet many of the artists, hear the stories behind their work and take part in conversations that might not otherwise have happened. It was also a fantastic opportunity for artists to share and sell their work. Many pieces found new homes during the exhibition, with all proceeds going directly to the artists themselves. For several exhibitors, it was one of their first opportunities to showcase their work to a wider audience and benefit directly from their creativity. Alongside the exhibition, visitors were able to meet Elmbridge CAN's volunteer team and learn more about the charity's work supporting people seeking sanctuary and rebuilding their lives in Elmbridge. The event provided an opportunity to find out how to get involved through volunteering, fundraising, donating or supporting Elmbridge CAN's work in the local community. Elmbridge CAN began in 2016, when a small group of local residents came together in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, asking a simple question: what can we do to help? From those early conversations, a community-led charity grew. Working alongside local partners and volunteers, Elmbridge CAN welcomed the first resettled families to the area, offering both practical support and a warm, inclusive community. Over the past ten years, the organisation has expanded in response to global events, supporting people fleeing conflict in Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine and many other countries. Today, Elmbridge CAN offers a wide range of services and supports hundreds of families as they build stable, independent lives in Elmbridge and beyond. As Elmbridge CAN celebrates its tenth anniversary, 10 Years of Rebuilding Lives Together was a celebration of creativity, culture and community. Most of all, it was a reminder that while people may leave countries and homes behind, they also carry with them skills, traditions, talents and stories that enrich the communities they become part of. Journey of a Ukrainian Boy by NB, age 10 Mum, me and one suitcase Three of us only... I left my cat, I left my dog And all my dreams behind the fog. I was just five, but I looked like more Because I knew the world of war. New country, language, school and friends. Thanks to everyone who helps. I started to smile and play the games And I can start to hope again. I want the world to see my joy PEACE is the biggest dream of a Ukrainian boy!

We are proud to partner with these organisations and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. We are proud to partner with the following organisations, and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. Who we work with We are proud to partner with the following organisations, and are enormously grateful to them for funding our work. A charitable foundation which works with local partners to tackle poverty and inequality in Elmbridge, Surrey. We work closely with our local borough council, which holds the primary responsibility for resettling refugees locally. The Community Foundation brings together local donors and those acting to provide positive solutions for local people and disadvantaged individuals. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes over £600m a year to communities across the UK, raised by players of the National Lottery. Shanly Foundation is funded entirely by the Shanly Group of companies and donates over £1.75m every year to community causes across the South East of England. The Postcode Society Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, supporting projects that strengthen communities and improve lives. We also work closely with a growing and varied network of other organisations, including charities, government agencies, faith groups, schools and companies. They all have a key role to play in supporting displaced people, and we achieve more by working together. We also work with a growing and varied network of other organisations, including charities, government agencies, faith groups, schools and companies. They all have a key role to play in supporting displaced people, and we achieve more by working together. Here are some more of our strategic partners: City of Sanctuary is a network of communities, councils, schools and libraries that provide support and opportunity to people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Elmbridge CAN is proud to be a long-standing member of the City of Sanctuary movement. Big Leaf is a local charitable foundation which provides a nurturing programme of activities, projects and events, focussing on combating social isolation and improving wellbeing for displaced young people in Surrey. CSVA is a charity aiming to support and shape best practice in volunteering and social action in Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley. Specifically, they help to promote our volunteering opportunities and undertake DBS checks on our behalf. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership community for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in England. It helps voluntary organisations achieve their greatest impact. Elmbridge CAN is a member of NCVO.

Building a life in a new country can be challenging. We provide practical information, such as how to register with your local doctor, as well as other support which you or your family members might need. Health and wellbeing We recognise that building a life in a new country can be challenging. On this page you can find practical information, such as how to register with your local doctor, as well as other support which you or your family members might need. There are also some self-help resources which you may find useful. Doctors Dentist Pharmacy Mental health Help yourself Young people Therapy options Doctors Contact your doctor (GP) in the first instance for all medical issues. They will decide if you need to see a specialist and refer you for an appointment. In the UK you must register with your local NHS GP (National Health Service General Practitioner) practice as soon as possible. Do not wait until you are ill. Find your nearest doctor . If you are new to using the NHS (free National Health Service), start with this short guide: English version , Dari version *If you are an asylum seeker, with an active application or appeal, you are eligible and will need an HC2 card to access free care. This guide will help you understand our NHS services and entitlements for migrants. Back to top Dentist Dental health is important too. There is a shortage of free NHS dentists, so you should get on the waiting list for your local NHS dentist as soon as you can. Back to top Pharmacy In some cases, a pharmacist can help you. If you have common infections such as a sore throat, earache or infected insect bite, you can go to your local pharmacy and speak to the pharmacist for advice and medication. Alternatively you can call 111, which is a NHS service which will direct you to the best place to get help for your symptoms. Check here to see if your pharmacist can help. Back to top Mental health Problems sleeping, poor memory, lack of focus, anger, helplessness, low energy and flashbacks are some normal reactions to trauma. Know that you are not alone if you experience these. Contact your doctor for help. The first thing to do is make an appointment to see your GP. If you are feeling overwhelmed or suicidal or need to speak to someone immediately, there are people who can help. See below organisations offering 24/7 help, including some specifically for young people. Get help now Childline 24-hour confidential support up to age 19 PAPYRUS (9am-midnight) for young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide Back to top Help yourself Understanding trauma can really help - everyone responds in different ways. The charity Mind has some online resources which may help. Learn some practical tools to help feel better: Learn how to stop PTSD Nightmares with Dr Justin Havens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv38dzpcxfA Also available in Arabic: تعلمْ كيفيةَ إيقافِ كوابيسِ اضطرابِ ما بعدَ الصدمةِ مع د.جاستن هيفينز and Ukrainian: Дізнайтеся, як зупинити кошмари посттравматичного стресового розладу здоктором Джастіном Хейвенсом YouTube Video -Coping with scary and distressing memories | UK Trauma Council Back to top Resources for young people and adults The UK Trauma Council has lots of useful information in different languages which may help. You can also watch their video . Trauma from war and conflict: what’s difficult and what helps? This is a useful document, written by and for young people, which explains the symptoms experienced after war and trauma and also what may help. Practical tools for young people Here’s a list of free apps especially for young people which may be of use: https://www.good-thinking.uk/free-apps-for/apps-young-people . Find out more about free activities locally - visit our What’s on page for some ideas. Back to top Therapy options In the UK it's generally accepted that most people can benefit from professional therapy at some point in their life. Here are some useful links and services. Some are free or offer a discount for displaced people. Refer yourself to free NHS Talking Therapy - CBT online, counsellors 1-2-1 face to face or zoom usually 6-8 sessions. Waterloo Community Counselling - based in London but also on Zoom and FREE for refugees and asylum seekers. Trauma Response Network - if you feel ready to address some past trauma, they offer EMDR therapy which can be very effective. Therapy is only offered in English with up to eight sessions online. The Counselling Partnership - is an independent local community charity, based in Walton. The Kingston Women’s Centre - offers women-only counselling. Ask Hanna offers counselling and wellbeing support in Ukrainian. Surrey County Council has provided a FREE membership for Ukrainians. Please email contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk for details. It’s Complicated - offers Ukrainian speaking therapists and counselling, in person and online. You can also find a private therapist. All qualified therapists should be in this Counselling Directory . Here’s a full list of support services on offer in the county of Surrey. Still not sure about therapy? This short video may help: Absolutely Not - and other thoughts you might have about mental health support . Back to top

We support forcibly displaced people in the Surrey borough of Elmbridge and surrounding area About us We support forcibly displaced people in and around the Surrey borough of Elmbridge. Every day, millions of people are forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. These individuals face unimaginable hardships - loss of home, separation from loved ones, and uncertainty about the future. Founded in 2016, at the height of the Syrian refugee crisis, Elmbridge CAN exists to welcome and support refugees who have found their way to the borough of Elmbridge. Our charity is committed to providing such people with practical help, dignity and hope as they rebuild their lives here, based on our common humanity. However, we recognise that this can't happen without a collaborative, cross-community effort. We facilitate this within the Borough of Elmbridge - bringing together volunteers, businesses, community groups, schools, other charities and the local authority. We are proud to stand in solidarity with forcibly displaced people and believe that collectively, the residents and neighbours of Elmbridge CAN make a difference. Our team Who we work with Impact report Stories Contact us Latest news Our aims 1. Improving lives in Elmbridge We provide small grants and a range of services which foster social inclusion and wellbeing for forcibly displaced people in the borough of Elmbridge and surrounding area. 2. Raising awareness Through our community outreach activity, we advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to forcibly displaced people. Read more in our Constitution . Our support roadmap In all cases we are guided by our “support roadmap”, which illustrates the process from arrival to becoming a fully contributing, thriving member of the community. How Elmbridge CAN began Elmbridge CAN came out of a meeting in a pub, and was set up in response to the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015. Our founder and co-director, Jeannie, tells our story. Find out more Volunteer with us We are always looking for keen volunteers, particularly those with relevant skills. Find out more Stay in touch Sign up for our newsletters to receive quarterly updates on our work. Find out more I am deeply grateful for every gesture: for taking the time to talk to me, for the clothes, for the support to continue my studies... All of this has been invaluable to me and has had a tremendous impact on my life. Thanks to you, I've been able to stay calm and move forward, even within the constraints of the asylum process, which often makes me feel limited. CM

We published our first full impact report at the end of 2023, sharing how our charity has grown and evolved since its foundation. We now offer a wide range of services to support the full integration of forcibly displaced people, including drop-in hubs, employment mentoring, practical and material support, as well as group and one-to-one English classes. Impact report We published our first full impact report at the end of 2023, sharing how our charity has grown and evolved since its foundation. We now offer a wide range of services to support the full integration of forcibly displaced people, including drop-in hubs, employment mentoring, practical and material support, as well as group and one-to-one English classes. In a nutshell As at January 2024, we were supporting 276 families from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and other countries. We had 250 ongoing support cases, and delivered our services through our network of 108 volunteers and seven staff members. In 2023 our staff and volunteers: Helped 89 families with support and advice on accommodation Supported 53 families to set up new homes Provided 70 job seekers with one-to-one mentoring Delivered 40 hours of tutoring and homework help every week Mentored 10 young people through our collaboration with St George’s College, Weybridge. Read our full report here Seeing first-hand the incredible work that all the dedicated Elmbridge CAN volunteers and staff do... as well as the positive impact the charity has on enabling people to rebuild their lives, and feel welcome and settled in Elmbridge, is truly amazing. I feel so lucky to be a part of Elmbridge CAN's mission, and thoroughly enjoy my volunteer role. Ayshe

From arriving in the UK with next to nothing, to establishing a successful business. Read how three Ukrainian women have joined forces and rebuilt their lives in Elmbridge Ukrainian sunflowers It was mid-June and there were just a handful of days before the Wimbledon tennis championships began at the All England Club. At a house just around the corner from the famous old venue a race against the clock had begun, as the Sunflowers gardening team set about transforming a front and back garden. “We only had a few days to get it done before they closed the roads for the tournament so we knew the project had no chance to fail,” Alyona recalls. “It was challenging as there was a lot of concrete to dig up in the garden but we did it in time. It was quite funny, too, as the neighbours walked past and watched our progress each day. At the end, some of them asked for our number as they were impressed with the job. It was a really interesting project to work on.” Sunflowers was set up by three Ukrainian women, who moved to the UK not long after the Russian invasion in the Spring of 2022. Alyona was working as a project manager in the construction sector of the real estate industry in Kiev when the war broke out. She moved to Surrey with her young family under the government’s Homes for Ukraine programme and soon became involved with Elmbridge CAN. “I used to live in America so settling in a new country has been ok for me,” she explains. “This time I was forced to leave so that was a bit different but the British people, and Elmbridge CAN especially, have offered us an enormous amount of support. I’m super grateful to everyone I’ve met here. When I first arrived here I focussed on volunteering with Elmbridge CAN, helping with paperwork for the other Ukrainians coming over.” She soon met Lena and Tetiana, friends from Vinnytsia in central Ukraine, and it was not long before they were hatching plans to find a way of contributing in their host country. “While working with the people who came here from Ukraine, I was thinking about what we could do and what helps,” Alyona continues. “Working outdoors together doing gardening is good for mental health and it unites us, doing something together. Most of us used to have families with houses back home which had gardens. My Mum lives in a house with a big garden, it is like an allotment, so we had flowers in the front and in the back we grew vegetables. I helped in the garden since I was three years old, so I know how things grow. I love the taste of organic fresh fruit and growing flowers is quite inspiring.” With plenty of green spaces in their new surroundings there appeared to be an opportunity to develop a hobby into something more serious. “I noticed that many British people have gardens to enjoy nature,” Alyona adds. “So I started talking with the girls in the hub and we decided we should do something. We all liked gardens so it was a perfect match for us!” The three women began by working in the gardens of some of the volunteers they had met at Elmbridge CAN. After settling on a name for their fledgling business, the company was registered and marketing began with some adverts on Facebook and a word-of-mouth campaign that quickly grew. Initially, the garden work was restricted to general maintenance and tidying but it was not long before more ambitious projects were undertaken with a full range of landscaping services. “Lena is a designer, so she can do full landscape design for any project,” says Alyona. “Tetiana is good with the accounts and can also work with plants. Sunflowers has spread mainly through word-of-mouth since we completed our first job. We do a high-quality job. Lena would never leave a single leaf on the lawn, she’s a perfectionist! “It’s all year round, too. We do maintenance, planting, irrigation, projects for gardens that you want to transform, we can do everything. We have up to five people on call so the business can manage everything. I see enormous potential with this.” Their work extends beyond horticultural skills. Sunflowers also offers fencing and lighting services to enhance the gardens they work on, with an emphasis on creating harmonious and functional spaces. At the Weybridge Community fair this summer, a landscape design exhibition attracted many visitors. Sunflowers was proud to take part in the event, which brought together designers from all over the country with the main theme of the exhibition focussing on environmentally-friendly landscaping and the use of natural materials. As Sunflowers continues to grow, the three women are proud of what has been achieved in a relatively short space of time since their lives were turned upside down back in early 2022. And, as their untimely clash with the lawn tennis championships proved, they are more than happy to take on any gardening challenge that is laid down in front of them. For more information on Sunflowers’ work and availability you can visit www.sunflowers.design .

This page gives important information to help you find a job. You can also get help from our employment volunteers - contact us or attend one of our hubs to access this support.  Employment It can be daunting trying to find a job in the UK, with systems and a working culture that may be very different to those in your home country. This page gives important information to help you find a job. You can also get help from our employment volunteers - contact us or attend one of our hubs to access this support. Some key steps to success 1. Learn English as quickly as you can This is the most important thing you can do to help you integrate into the local community. 2. Think about your long-term and short-term goals Is there a way to build your interests into your work? 3. Consider training while you are learning English or waiting to find employment Speak to your Job Centre coach about free courses on offer. 4. Prepare a good CV Here are some tips to get you started. 5. Interview Practice Practice makes perfect. Get help to improve your interview skills. 6. Work Experience Having some UK work experience can really boost your CV. By volunteering or doing work experience for free, you can improve your network and it could offer you a way into paid employment. 7. Get online Most recruitment in the UK takes place online and it is important to have some basic IT skills to search for jobs and submit applications online. Local colleges and the Job Centre can help you find a course to improve your skills. 8. Persevere Try not to be too disheartened if you get many rejections or do not hear back after submitting a job application. Looking for a job There are many different ways to find a job. This can vary depending on the type of company or industry you are looking to work in. Generally, large international companies will recruit through their websites or use recruitment agencies, whereas smaller businesses may find staff through word of mouth or by direct approaches. We have collated information about different ways you can find a job. Find out more here: Online recruitment websites Company websites Linked In Ask people you know The DWP Job Centre Recruitment agencies Specialist roles Construction industry Types of employment Employment contracts UK Employment law regulates the relationship between employers and employees. It governs what employers can expect from employees, what employers can ask employees to do, and employees’ rights at work. For more information about Employee rights, please refer to ACAS . Self employment For some people self employment may be the best option. Your skills or your family commitments may mean this works for you. For example, job roles such as gardeners, taxi drivers and photographers often work in this way as they have many clients. Being self employed offers: The chance to choose your own work schedule Self-agency and accountability Personal connection with customers Independence, freedom, being one’s own boss Direct payment from clients There are a number of things you need to consider when setting up a business in the UK. Take a look at this government guide Working for yourself - GOV.UK . You can also seek advice from the Job Centre; business support services and training providers like the The Rebel School . Overseas qualifications You may wish to continue working in a similar role to your former job in your home country. To do this, employers may ask you to provide translated copies of your certificates and qualification equivalency, so your employer can see how your qualifications equate to qualifications in the UK. Sometimes, an employer will do this for you, however, it is often useful to be prepared and have this ready yourself, so you know if your qualifications are correct for a specific job role. ENIC is the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills and they offer a statement of comparability service. Translation and Certification services: There are many organisations that offer these services. If you require a recommendation, please contact us. UK Education levels When joining a course like ESOL classes at a college, the admissions team will be keen to identify your existing level of English or your qualifications. Many courses and job descriptions will also ask for a specific level of qualifications, for example, GCSEs or equivalent Level 2 qualifications or a Level 3 qualification. This website gives guidance on what the different qualifications mean: What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are an alternative way to employment that offer you the opportunity to train as you work, so you can earn a salary while gaining a qualification. Apprenticeships are offered at various levels from school leaver (Level 2 / 3) to Degree apprenticeships (Level 6). They are available in a variety of industries including business, accountancy, healthcare, construction, hairdressing and many more. For further information on how apprenticeships work and different opportunities available please visit the government apprentice information page . Common barriers to work Childcare: For the latest information on how to find childcare and get help paying for it and what to do if your circumstances change, please refer to Get childcare: step by step - GOV.UK . Cost of finding a job: There are costs to finding work that you may find difficult to pay for, for example, work / interview clothing or travel to interviews. The DWP has funds that may be able to support you with these expenses. Please speak to your Job Centre work coach. Loss of benefits: You should not have a lower income by going to work. For up to date information, please check the government’s Universal Credit webpage. Long term unemployment: Restart is a programme offered by the Job Centre, specifically for individuals who have been out of work for more than 12 months. If you think you are eligible for this programme and would like the opportunity to join, please contact your work coach. If you have any specific questions that are not answered here, please attend one of our drop-in hubs or get in touch by email at contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk and we will connect you with one of our employment volunteers. Looking for a job There are many different ways to find a job. This can vary depending on the type of company or industry you are looking to work in. Generally, large international companies will recruit through their websites or use recruitment agencies, whereas smaller businesses may find staff through word of mouth or by direct approaches. We have collated information about different ways you can find a job. Find out more below. Online recruitment websites Many job vacancies are advertised through online recruitment websites. Think about the keywords you put in to search engines like Google to ensure you find the most suitable job vacancies for you. Reed - Jobs and Recruitment on Reed.co.uk, the UK's #1 job site Indeed - Finding a job | Indeed.com Total Jobs - Jobs are our job | Totaljobs Back to top Company websites Most companies and international organisations advertise their job vacancies on their own websites. Search on the internet for companies you know and look on their careers pages. For example: www.jobsatamazon.co.uk www.tesco-careers.com/search-and-apply https://costacareers.co.uk Careers at P&G United Kingdom Back to top Linked In LinkedIn is an extremely popular online professional network that you can use to search for a job. If you set up a LinkedIn profile, you can then use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships, and learn professional skills. Here’s some help with how to set up a profile: How to use LinkedIn 7 Tips On How To Use LinkedIn For Beginners Back to top Ask people you know Most companies and international organisations advertise their job vacancies on their own websites. Search on the internet for companies you know and look on their careers pages. For example: www.jobsatamazon.co.uk www.tesco-careers.com/search-and-apply https://costacareers.co.uk Careers at P&G United Kingdom Back to top The DWP Job Centre The Job Centre works with local employers and training providers to try to help people into work. Attend their job fairs, speak to your work coach and look at the notice boards in the Centre for the latest opportunities. Back to top Recruitment agencies Recruitment agencies can be national or local and offer job vacancies across many industry sectors. They can also specialise in a specific sector. Local agencies give you the opportunity to meet with the recruiters in person and will often have vacancies in the immediate area. National recruiters Request a call back | Michael Page External job board - AMS Examples of specialist recruiters HomeOrganisers | Housekeeper and Nanny Placements - HomeOrganisers Manufacturing & Engineering Recruitment | Martin Veasey Talent Solutions Health and Social Care Jobs | Search Jobs | Safehands Recruitment Milkround | Graduate Jobs, Schemes & Internships Surrey recruitment agencies March Recruitment Leading Recruitment Agency in Surrey & Sussex | The Recruitment Consultancy Back to top Specialist roles Specialist roles may require a different approach when searching for a job. For example, medical professionals, dentists, and teachers may need to undertake a period of retraining to practice in the UK. In the first instance, it is useful to approach the industry regulators to understand the process you must follow for your profession. General Medical Council: Full registration for international medical graduates - GMC General Dental Council: Overseas Registration Examination British Dental Association: Overseas dentists working in the UK Teaching for Internationally qualified teachers: A fairer approach to awarding QTS to overseas teachers - GOV.UK Apply for qualified teacher status (QTS) if you teach outside the UK - GOV.UK For some there are opportunities to receive loans or grants to help fund your training, exams and fees. Take a look at these organisations to see if you are eligible: Ruth Hayman Trust ReAccreditation Loans— RefuAid Back to top Construction industry Construction workers must complete a CSCS course to acquire a card to authorise them to work on building sites in the UK. These courses vary by profession ie plumbers, bricklayers, labourers etc, however the key focus is on ensuring best health and safety practice on site. Applying for CSCS cards | Official CSCS Website Back to top