I started working with asylum seekers and refugees in 2002 by setting up the Bridges Project in response to the growing racial tension in the city following the introduction of a dispersal policy of asylum seekers to Glasgow. The programme has grown continuously since then and in 2005 became the Charity the Bridges Programmes.

 

Before working in this field I was an award winning bookseller, ran my own company and was former Editor of the Weekend Scotsman.

Initially Bridges was started with a purely humanitarian purpose to give dignity and confidence back to people who had suffered through the asylum and refugee process by re-connecting them to their skills and helping prepare them for their future where ever that would be. From 2007, with the large numbers of clients being grated leave to remain, our focus shifted more to helping them access employment education and training enabling them to become contributing citizens.

 I am fortunate to work with a dedicated and passionate team of experts in their field and have the huge satisfaction of knowing that every day we make a positive difference to people’s lives. I have seen my original idea grow into a well- respected charity both in the UK and Europe and it is the best career choice I have ever made.

I joined Bridges Programmes in 2010 but have known the company for over 10 years as I was originally a client. In 2008, I attended the Equipped for Future course, completed a placement at a construction company and as a result was offered a job as a Health and Safety Engineer which was my occupation in my home country.

 

After the economic downturn, the construction industry collapsed so I decided to change my career and became an Immigration Advisor for the Scottish Refugee Council.

 

Throughout this time, I was still in touch with Bridges and they offered me a role as Caseworker which I welcomed as they had helped me in the past and this was my chance to share my experiences with the clients and improve their futures.

 

I was promoted to Senior Caseworker in 2020. I arrange and manage placements with companies and organisations for the clients, recruit organisations and companies and suitable clients and represent Bridges at relevant events. I like working with the clients because I have first-hand experience going through the immigration process, have a deep understanding on what people go through to settle down in new country and I am more than happy to support clients and share my knowledge.

 

For the last four years I have been working with medical professionals, mainly doctors, assisting them with making the journey to work here in the UK. I have developed and deliver the online digital training for medical doctors.

 

I enjoy my job and I get great satisfaction in knowing that on a daily basis I am assisting Bridges clients with their social and economic integration.

 

I work with a great team at Bridges and enjoy coming to work every day.

I contacted the Bridges Programmes for the first time in 2016 as a friend of mine had received support from Bridges and it was incredible to see the impact that this had on their life. I was quite new in the country and I was also looking for some opportunities to advance my career.

Before arriving in Scotland, I had studied African Cultures and International Relations and worked for non-governmental organisations on various projects supporting the economic and cultural integration of ethnic minorities in my home country Poland.

I was very excited when the Bridges Programmes invited me for an interview for the Life Skills Trainer/Caseworker role. I joined the Bridges team in January 2017 and delivered a series of Life Skills courses across Glasgow as a part of Scottish Refugee Integration Service. It was a great experience, I had a chance to work in partnership with many Glasgow based organisations that support refugees and I was happy to assist our clients with their progression into work experience, further education, training and employment.

Currently I work as a NARIC officer. I support people who graduated from overseas universities to prepare applications to UK NARIC and to have their qualifications recognised in the UK.

I am happy to work for an organisation like the Bridges Programmes as all together, we can make Glasgow a city full of opportunities for anyone who sought a new home and a better life.

I heard about Bridges Programmes while I was studying ESOL at Clyde College and decided to register in January 2019 for their Skills Recognition Course as I wanted the opportunity to work in the field, I had previously worked in.

While living in my home country of Spain, I studied for HNC in Administration at college and worked as an admin assistant for a few years. When I came to Scotland I worked as a nanny for several years but was keen to get back into office work. While on the RPL programme my caseworker helped me recognise my skills then arranged a work experience placement in the admin department of a large construction company so I could practice then update my skills which I enjoyed very much. After this placement, I was keen to learn more and Bridges offered me a placement in their office, supported me to improve my skills and gave me the confidence to believe I could have a career in Scotland. In May 2019, they invited me to apply for the position of Admin Assistant and I was delighted to be offered the job.

I have now been employed with Bridges since May 2019 as Administration Assistant/Receptionist. I deal with all reception duties including greeting people when they come in the office, answering and redirecting calls, managing client database and assisting my colleagues with any help they need.

I am proud to be part of the team and have the opportunity to help people like me for whom English is their second language.