When Tamsyn and I first met in September 2015, we were simply two people compelled to act. The image of Aylan Kurdi, etched into the consciousness of so many, pushed us to join forces and organise practical support for refugees arriving in Europe. What we witnessed in Lesvos was harrowing: capable, determined individuals left in limbo, denied access to the tools needed to rebuild their lives. It was there that the seed of RefuAid was planted—a determination to remove barriers and create opportunities for independence, dignity, and hope.

Since those early days, RefuAid has grown into a charity that challenges outdated systems and provides meaningful solutions. From our language programme, which has supported over 1,000 students, to our character-based loan scheme, which has lent over £2 million, we have been unrelenting in our efforts to support refugees to regain their independence. Yet, the growing demand for our services has made one thing clear: to scale our impact, we need to focus.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce a new chapter for RefuAid. In collaboration with Breaking Barriers, we are transferring our language and reaccreditation programmes to their expert team. This will enable them to build on their fantastic work in refugee employment and integrate structured language tuition and reaccreditation guidance into their offer. Together, Breaking Barriers and RefuAid are creating a model of collaboration that is rare in the charity sector—one that plays to each organisation’s strengths to maximise impact.

For RefuAid, this means a laser focus on scaling our innovative loan scheme, making us the go-to organisation for financial access for refugees. Our interest-free loans, up to £10,000, will continue to cover essential costs like licensing, training, exams, housing, education, and family reunification. By dedicating all our resources to lending, we can ensure more refugees overcome financial barriers to rebuild their lives in meaningful and sustainable ways.

This partnership reflects what collaboration can achieve. It’s bold, it’s practical, and it’s focused on impact. Together, we are creating a clearer, more streamlined support landscape: Breaking Barriers for employment support and RefuAid for financial support.

Reflecting on this journey from our beginnings in Lesvos to today, I’m reminded of the countless people we’ve met who have gone on to achieve such incredible things. People who, with the right support, have moved from surviving to thriving, and are now supporting families and communities.

To founders and colleagues in the charity sector: we can put collaboration before ego, focus on strengths, and drive innovation in a space where it’s so desperately needed. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far, and I’m even more excited about the road ahead.

To everyone who has supported RefuAid over the years, thank you. Your belief in our vision—to provide hope, resilience, and unity—has brought us here. And now, we’re ready to scale that vision further than ever before.

To Matt: thank you for being the founder-sibling I needed. It’s been incredible to share this mission with you over the last few years, and I am so proud of what we’ve achieved—first in parallel, and now together! To Ciara and Andy: thank you for your dedication and hard work in completing this merger, your patience in navigating the complexities of working with three founders, and your unwavering commitment to integrating RefuAid’s language and reaccreditation programmes into Breaking Barriers. To Weil, our pro bono law firm: a huge thank you for getting the merger over the line. Your tireless efforts, often late into the night, have been invaluable, and we wouldn’t be here without you. To our team, now part of the Breaking Barriers family: thank you for trusting us and for your steadfast commitment to our clients’ futures. Tamsyn, Mohib, and Kate—you are the most phenomenal people, colleagues and friends who inspire me every day. Let’s get to work! – Anna x