At the Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC), we are committed to supporting our beneficiaries in the West Midlands into employment and equipping them with the tools and skills they need to continue their career ambitions once they enter the UK workforce. In late 2025 the West Midlands was noted to have the highest unemployment rate in the UK at 6.2%, showing the importance of this work.
Following support from RMC, Asha stated “I now have my first full-time job. This will give me financial stability, independence, and confidence. It has also improved my mental health – I feel more motivated, happier, and less isolated.”
Background
Asha*, a mother of three originally from Bangladesh, had spent years dedicated to raising her children and providing full-time care for her mother-in-law who was confined to bed due to health reasons. After her mother-in-law passed away and her children became independent, she was eager to enter the workforce. However, despite her determination and natural caregiving skills, she found herself stuck in a cycle of rejection.
She spent hours searching online, but even roles advertising “no experience needed” turned her away due to her lack of professional history. Confused and losing hope, she contacted RMC on the recommendation of a friend.
Employment support
From the first meeting, her RMC employment coach, Radovan, focused on rebuilding her confidence. He helped create a professional CV and identified that her years of unpaid caregiving were actually a valuable asset. To formalise these skills, RMC referred Asha to a four-week Health and Social Care training course in partnership with Back2Work.
Asha’s dedication was unwavering; she attended Monday to Friday for a full month, never missing a single class. Alongside the training, RMC supported her with interview preparation, giving her the chance to practise her interview skills and receive encouragement so she felt ready to present herself confidently to employers.
Throughout the support process Asha’s employment advisor contacted her every week, checking on her progress and encouraging her.
The outcome
Her hard work paid off immediately. Upon completing the course, she passed her assessment and was invited to interviews, resulting in two full-time job offers in the same week; one as a Teaching Assistant and one as a Carer.
Asha chose the Carer position, a role that aligns with her compassion and experience. She describes the moment she got the offer as “life-changing”. Now working full-time, she has gained financial independence and is planning to save for a family home. Reflecting on the journey, she says, “I never thought I could achieve this… now I feel independent, confident, and excited about the future.”
*names changed for confidentiality purposes
Image by danivaknin from Pixabay
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