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Following her flight from Saudi Arabia, Nadia spent seven months living in a small hotel room in Stevenage until she found a host in Elmbridge. Nadia's story There was a moment when, having just arrived in Hersham from Hertfordshire, Nadia wasn’t sure where her next meal was coming from. Following her flight from Saudi Arabia, the 25-year-old had just spent seven months living in a single hotel room in Stevenage and had finally found a host in Elmbridge. However, the host’s work meant there was very little to eat in the house and also, Nadia had mislaid her Home Office Application Registration Card which would have allowed her to claim £9 per week. Add to this that she wasn’t permitted to ask her host for cash (although the host did make a few good suggestions) and Nadia was getting desperate. Someone then suggested contacting Elmbridge CAN. Nadia emailed the charity pleading “I don’t have food, please help me”. “I was freaking out, I didn’t know what to do”, she says. It was at that point that Elmbridge CAN came into Nadia’s life. The next day Jeannie emailed stating that she’d very soon receive a large food box plus a £50 Tesco gift card. “Elmbridge CAN saved me” recalls Nadia. “It’s like when you are so terribly anxious and then suddenly everything gets better. I was showered with kindness. I cannot thank them enough.” There were more food boxes to follow. Another huge box turned up filled with vegetables, pasta and what Nadia calls “general goodness”. More recently Jeannie has been helping Nadia with her Home Office application. As an asylum seeker, Nadia is unable to work, yet she is offering her time free with local hospitality outlets in order to get experience while she is also studying in order to gain qualifications to move on to the next stage in her life. “I just felt Elmbridge CAN had my back” says Nadia. The new-found support meant that Nadia could plan her next move following her escape from the ultra-strict Middle Eastern country.

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

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 .

Useful information and tools to help you get informed on the issues or take action.    Get informed To stay up-to-date on our activities you can read our recent newsletters on our Latest news page and sign up to receive future newsletters here . You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram (links at the bottom of the page). This page contains useful information and tools to help you get informed on the broader issues. National organisations Although we are a local organisation, forcibly displaced people coming to Elmbridge are of course affected by the wider issues on both a national and international scale. It helps to be informed. We recommend you check out Refugee Action or the Refugee Council , where you can find a wealth of information, including useful explainers , for example, the truth about asylum or the real facts about refugees . The sites are packed with relevant facts, statistics and stories. Alternatively, visit Citizens UK Campaigns or simply write to your local MP . Films and documentaries There are lots of great films available to help you become better informed. Here’s a few to get you started. Human Flow - 2017 Why do we have so much migration coming our way? If you want a big picture perspective, this is the one. Filmed across 23 countries by international artist and filmmaker Ai Weiwei, this film studies the global issue of migration with a completely apolitical approach. Rather, it aims to show the human side of the phenomenon, putting a face to the huge numbers of people following migration routes every year. Available to watch on Amazon Prime. Here’s the trailer . For Sama - 2019, BAFTA winner, Oscar-nominated for best documentary An intimate and visceral documentary, this multi-award-winning film is a journey though motherhood during the bombings of the Syrian civil war. Waad al-Kateab's first feature documentary is a story of love, resilience and hope, framed by suffering and harsh dilemmas. Available to watch on Channel 4 Another News Story - 2019 Directed by Verity Wislowki, shot across nine countries from Greece to Germany, the film goes behind the scenes of the news crews reporting the refugee story at the height of the European crisis. It takes the viewer to the other side of the camera and inspires us to re-evaluate our relationship with the global media and how we consume news. Available to watch on Amazon Prime . Read and share Gray Bees by Andrey Kurkov, a famous Ukrainian novelist who dramatises the conflict raging in his country with his trademark wry humour, through the adventures of a beekeeper. Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini (author of The Kite Runner). Based on a Syrian father’s reflections, while watching his sleeping son, as they await the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. Author proceeds are donated to UNHCR. Shatila Stories published by Peirene who commissioned nine refugees to tell their ‘Shatila Stories’. The result is a piece of collaborative fiction unlike any other. Read if you want to understand the chaos of the Middle East, or just to enjoy a beautiful love story. No Friend but the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish journalist who was illegally detained on Manus Island and laboriously typed his story on a mobile phone. Translated from Farsi. In the Wars by Dr Waheed Arian. Feel inspired by this incredible Afghan doctor's story. Hope Not Fear by Hassan Akkad, about his harrowing experience leaving Syria and the kindness he experienced in the UK, which helped him get back on his feet and rebuild his life. Would you like to receive occasional updates on our work? Sign up to receive our newsletter .

There are lots of ways to get involved and support our work. Get involved There are lots of ways you can get involved in our work, from hosting a family to volunteering. Transforming the lives of refugees in Elmbridge requires teamwork. We need help from all kinds of organisations and individuals to make it happen – from businesses and schools, to charities and churches. There are lots of ways you can get involved in our work. Volunteer Become a host Donate Get informed Rent your property Newsletter sign up "Education is my way to survive" Imagine arriving to live in a new country with no knowledge of the language. A few years later, you are studying at university, with clear career goals. This is the story of Ali, Mohammed and Ayram. Read their story What's on Find out about our classes to learn English, opportunities to meet people and ways to access our support. Find out more Read our Impact Report We share our challenges and successes in supporting over 250 families from diverse countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Find out more I would like to express my gratitude to all members of your team for their help, understanding and support to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, you find a way out of each seemingly insoluble problem... your work deserves respect and gratitude that are difficult to express in words. Iryna

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!

The history of Elmbridge CAN since it started in 2015. Elmbridge CAN - our history Since forming in 2016, Elmbridge CAN has grown in strength and size, currently supporting over 330 families who have fled conflict or persecution. “It was a response to what was happening in Syria,” Elmbridge CAN co-director Jeannie Tweedie explains. “We connected through social media initially and then a group of us met up in a pub to work out what we could do. The first significant thing we did was organise a meeting in collaboration with the local authority and invited various stakeholders along.” The council agreed to take part in the Syrian Resettlement Scheme, so the most urgent work Elmbridge CAN undertook was finding hosts for refugees. In 2017, the first family arrived in Elmbridge. Housed in Oxshott without a car, an environment culturally very different to Syria, the local community rallied around. Today, some of those children from that family are young adults, studying at university. “What is amazing is when you see a family or individual transform their lives,” Jeannie reflects. “We support them and walk beside them if they want us to, but it is they who do it.” The early priorities of the organisation involved getting houses ready for new arrivals; often laborious work sourcing furniture. Gradually more families arrived and, by 2018 when Elmbridge CAN registered as a charity, roughly 30 Syrians had been resettled alongside other nationalities. Among them was Nurettin, a Turkish asylum seeker, who rebuilt his life in the IT industry where his expertise lay prior to fleeing his country. He has since become a trustee of the charity. “What every arrival has in common is that they have lost their home, their familiarity, their security and the feeling of belonging somewhere,” Jeannie adds. “There is a cultural adjustment to deal with. It’s hugely variable, but they all have that loss in common.” So, creating an infrastructure became a key part of Elmbridge CAN’s work. An English class was launched, recruiting volunteers who got busy helping with one-to-one English lessons, supporting children’s learning and helping people find jobs. Over 40 hours of tutoring and homework help are delivered each week. When Ayram left Syria at the age of seven she joined 100,000 others fleeing persecution at a refugee camp in Jordan. Eleven years later she is studying Law at the University of Surrey. Elmbridge CAN has thrived through its adaptability. In August 2021, the fall of Afghanistan meant that - almost overnight - approximately 200 Afghans arrived locally. Each had been part of a deeply traumatic evacuation. They were placed in hotel accommodation in Thames Ditton. “We stepped up, as did the local community, many of whom joined us as volunteers,” Jeannie recalls. “We organised clothing and toy deliveries. We set up whole family ESOL classes in the hotel, as it took around a term for school places to be found for the children. We held Eid parties and started a sewing group for the women. “We have a volunteer called Tim who is our bike guy. He mends bikes when people donate them and they are incredibly useful for people. It really makes a difference. We’ve had women who’ve had the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike for the first time.” Elmbridge CAN took on further responsibilities when the council-employed support worker left, meaning statutory support for the Syrians now came under the umbrella of the organisation. With that, and funding from Walton Charity for an administrator, Elmbridge CAN was able to employ its first staff. In February 2022, the invasion of Ukraine forced many Ukrainians to flee. The local community welcomed over 600 displaced Ukrainians, mainly women and children. Elmbridge CAN volunteers organised weekly welcome hubs and the local council issued a contract for the charity to employ two Ukrainian-speaking integration workers. “They got busy with re-matching people who needed new hosts,” Jeannie recalls. “We had to put together an infrastructure capable of moving an organisation from being one that supported 30 families, to one that currently supports over 350.” The charity set up two community English classes in different locations. Together with its hubs, and one-to-one volunteer placements, they meet the needs of displaced families. For some individuals, the charity provides a high-needs case service led by experienced integration workers. Other people may simply need practical support. “One little girl had the biggest smile on her face after we gave her an electronic keyboard,” says Jeannie. “We have a common humanity around the world for our children. Many families have come here because of their children. We work not just with those who have come through resettlement schemes, but those who have had to come through the asylum route. Our aim remains the same as when we started: to welcome.” The next step is to secure the organisation’s future in a changing world. “We’ve had to be quite reactive in the past and there’s always that uncertainty about the environment we are in,” Jeannie concludes. “We have built something important and we want to make that sustainable. We’ve had growth without planning it so we can grow further with planning, but we need it to be properly resourced. It’s about bringing the community together.”

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

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

Information about housing for displaced people in Elmbridge Housing Elmbridge CAN can't provide housing but we can advise you on your options and we can sometimes help you look for accommodation in the private rent sector. For Ukrainians, we can try to 'rematch' you with a new host. Read on for more information. Please note that most of the information below is relevant only if you have permission to remain in the UK. For information about the asylum system in the UK including financial support see Right to Remain . Can I get my own accommodation from the council? Social housing in the UK is in very short supply, especially for larger households, and particularly in Elmbridge as it is an expensive area and there is a shortage of housing. There are very long waiting lists for social housing. If you are in danger of homelessness and are in a priority group where the council has a duty to help you, then they may be able to support you with emergency accommodation. This may be in a bed and breakfast and it may be outside of Elmbridge. You can find out more information including how to apply for social housing on the council’s website here Elmbridge Borough Council - Housing . How can I get my own accommodation? Whether you have children or not, your Universal Credit benefit can include help with rental costs, also known as Housing Benefit. The Housing Benefit allowance was increased in Elmbridge in April 2024. You can check out the local Housing Benefit allowance here . Depending on your circumstances, Elmbridge Borough Council may also be able to help you with finding rental accommodation. See Find a place to live . You can also look at websites like Rightmove for a property to rent. Being in employment can sometimes help with securing accommodation. Finding housing can be hard. It is important to be persistent and not lose hope. Our charity doesn't offer a property search service but if you are homeless or vulnerably housed, Rentstart is a local charity which has a very useful guide to renting privately on low incomes. Rentstart primarily helps people who are not on the council’s priority list, such as single adults without children. In the UK, many younger single people, or couples, form a group with friends to rent accommodation together. See also these useful guides for Ukrainians on how to rent property in the UK in Ukrainian and Russian . Discretionary housing payments available for housing are occasionally available from Elmbridge Council: Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) . For Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme: how can I change my host? We are working closely with Elmbridge Council to help ensure that re-matches can be arranged where there is a priority need for this, for example if there is a medical need or if there is an irreversible breakdown in relationships. Please get in touch with us if you think this might apply to you, by emailing contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk or coming to one of our hubs (see our What’s on page ). There may also be ways that we can help you resolve differences with your original host family.

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 . 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

Contact Elmbridge CAN by email or fill in this form. Contact us Sign up to receive our newsletter or contact us if you have a specific enquiry. We’d love to hear from you! Sign up to our newsletter Contact us First name* Last name Email* Message Submit Other ways to contact Elmbridge CAN Email: contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk Write to us : PO Box 112, East Molesey, KT8 8EN.