Collaborators
The team will be supported by the following collaborators:
ReSTORE—which stands for Refugee Support, Training, Orientation, Recruitment, and Education—is a nurse-led programme based in South Yorkshire, established in 2023. It supports refugees and midwives who previously worked as nurses and midwives in their home countries, helping them return to their professions by entering NHS workforce and register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The programme provides pastoral support, career guidance, and specialised training for the Occupational English Test (OET), Computer-Based Test (CBT), and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
Hosted by the South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce & Training Hub, ReSTORE is built upon strong collaborations with local authorities, the DWP, NHS trusts, charities, and academic institutions, including Sheffield’s two universities. It aligns with NMC’s processes to ensure comprehensive support for participants.
Since its establishment, ReSTORE has supported nearly 40 refugee nurses and midwives, with 11 successfully passing their required exams and securing roles as registered nurses in NHS hospitals across South Yorkshire. This project has played an important role in supporting the integration of individuals who have faced significant challenges. The contributions of these nurses and midwives to the NHS are substantial, not only enhancing the diversity of the workforce but also leading to improved patient care across the region. Moreover, their integration into the healthcare system helps to strengthen the local economy.
RefuAid, a charity that provides people who have fled their homes with tailored support to build independent and dignified lives in the UK. RefuAid focuses on three key barriers to access for refugees with leave to remain, trying to restart their life in the UK: finance and re-qualification, language tuition and specialist employment advice. The charity's solutions have proved both sustainable and successful. The following are RefuAid's non-negotiable values: remaining independent, neutral and impartial; unity; locality; listening; and long-term thinking.
Refugee and Asylum Seekers Centre for Healthcare Professionals Education (REACHE) Northwest, an organisation set up to assist Refugee and asylum seeking Healthcare Professionals (RHPs) to register their qualifications in the UK. REACHE also assists RHPs who have permission to work in finding professional employment in the UK National Health Service (NHS). REACHE works with local and national organisations in the NHS, higher education and refugee support.
Refugee Council, a leading charity working with refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. Founded in 1951, following the creation of the UN Refugee Convention, Refugee Council exists to support and empower people who have fled conflict, violence and persecution in order to rebuild their lives here in the UK. The organisation works with over 13,000 women, men and children each year who are desperately seeking safety.
PATH Yorkshire, a not-for-profit community organisation with over 30 years of training, work coaching, mentoring and enhancing career opportunities to economically and socially disadvantaged communities. PATH Yorkshire seeks to widen the participation of under-represented and ‘hard to reach’ minority ethnic groups in their community. The organisation's values include creating better chances, better opportunities and better futures.
Leeds Playhouse are committed to being a place of safety, hospitality and support for refugees and People Seeking Asylum. The Playhouse works closely with refugee organisations and with volunteers from refugees and People Seeking Asylum in Leeds to offer a range of creative and practical projects.
Carbon:imagineering, a boutique digital innovation and R&D practice. Carbon's mission is to discover the elemental building blocks of the near future and fashion them into new experiences for its partners and clients by scouting for emerging technologies; nurturing relationships with their creators; speculating on their political, economic and cultural impact; and by devising novel software products and services. Carbon was co-founded by Imran Ali, who most recently was featured in "Tech In Leeds", a documentary charting Leeds’ impact on the digital industry.
Lincolnshire Refugee Doctor Project (LRDP) aims to create the best possible scheme across Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire by supporting refugees who are medically qualified in their home Country to achieve GMC registration, which will enable them to continue their careers in the UK and support the local NHS workforce. LRDP also supports programme members to settle well in the local community by providing support with finding suitable local accommodation, and securing part-time employment and/or clinical placements with local NHS Trusts to enable positive learning experiences.
The Phoenix Project (TPP), a charity that supports Displaced Doctors regain their professional identity and prospects, through the provision of medical English language teaching sessions for GMC licensing examinations (OET and PLAB-2), whilst simultaneously providing the NHS with highly qualified and talented professionals. TPP also provides part-sponsorship for examination costs and help navigating NHS medical careers.