Routes, a social enterprise based in Vauxhall specialising in the professional integration of women from refugee backgrounds, is launching a social impact project for business leaders to make a direct impact this summer. The goal is to bridge the gap between this untapped talent pool and local businesses that need them most.

Untapped Potential on Our Doorstep

In the current recruitment climate, staff retention and skill shortages remain a top concern for business owners locally and widely too. At the same time, whilst many businesses struggle to fill vacancies, a significant pool of professional talent remains underutilised in the city.

Women supported by Routes are not just seeking ‘any job’ – they are project managers, engineers, senior leaders, and creative professionals who have been forced to restart their professional lives in the UK. Systemic barriers like a lack of local network, unrecognised international qualifications, and CV gaps, mean their expertise often remains hidden. Routes is bridging its community with businesses through high-value connections and meaningful professional opportunities.

Strategic Business Case for Inclusion

Nowadays, social impact is no longer just a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a core driver of commercial success and brand loyalty. For local businesses, collaborating with Routes and hosting a refugee woman on a summer placement gives a clear competitive advantage:

Exceptional Retention Rates

A key ‘hidden cost’ in any business is employee turnover. Recent reports confirm that employees from refugee backgrounds demonstrate 70% higher retention rates than the wider UK labour market. This stability is valuable for business districts where high churn, recruitment costs, and training can drain resources. By hosting someone from Routes, businesses are meeting individuals who value long-term professional stability and show immense loyalty to employers who provide them with their first UK opportunity.

Consumer Preference and Brand Equity

Modern consumers are very attuned to corporate ethics. Recent research indicates that younger audiences are 77% more likely to purchase from or work for companies that openly support refugees. By showing a commitment to social inclusion, you demonstrate that this is not only good for the community, but you also showcase your values to your consumer base.

A Global Skillset 

Vauxhall is an international hub, made up of people from all over the world. Refugee women bring multilingual skills and extensive international professional experiences. Whether it’s navigating complex project management frameworks or offering cultural insights that can help you expand into new markets, these women drive company innovation and growth. They bring a fresh perspective, challenging ‘groupthink’ and helping local businesses to stay agile in a globalised economy.

Economic Boosts from Refugee Integration

LSE recently reported that every refugee integrated into the UK workforce contributes approximately £266,000 to the economy over 12.5 years. Local businesses directly fuel the prosperity of their own neighborhood, creating a circular economy where wages are reinvested back into the local district and community.

Social Impact: Reclaiming Professional Identity

While the benefits for local businesses are important, the human impact is hard to ignore. For a woman from a refugee background living in London, securing a professional role in the UK is about far more than just a paycheck.

Jocelyn Maskrey, Routes Project Manager, says, “Getting that first opportunity in the UK is often the first step to more doors opening. It’s the moment a woman feels she can rebuild her life here as a professional and give back to the community that has welcomed her. This agency is incredibly powerful and unlocks so much potential that has been hidden.”

This placement allows her to rebuild a life with dignity, joy, and autonomy. Beyond financial independence, this programme restores a vital social and professional network that she has had to build from scratch after leaving everything behind. This empowerment creates a ripple effect not only for her, but for her family, and fosters a more resilient, integrated and welcoming local community for everyone.

How Routes Supports Your Business

Routes wants to make this as hassle-free as possible for business partners by providing comprehensive financial, administrative, and wraparound support to any Vauxhall businesses hosting a placement this summer.

Routes handles:

• Recruitment
  • Managing the advertising, application reviewing, and matching processes
• Training
  • Routes offers training and guidance for your existing teams on inclusivity and best practices for welcoming colleagues from refugee backgrounds
• Financial grants
  • Small grants are available for companies that need financial support in making the placements happen

Do you have a project you’ve been putting off?

Do you have summer social media campaigns that need a fresh creative eye?

Do you have a research project requiring great analytical skills?

Do you have administrative workflows that need streamlining?

Routes helps find the best candidate for your specific business needs, ensuring the candidate is a productive asset from day one.

How to Participate

Getting involved is straightforward and designed to fit into busy team schedules. For a discovery chat, reach out to Project Manager Jocelyn at jocelyn@routescollective.com or book a slot in her calendar directly here.

Join the Refugee Inclusion Movement

Whether you are a small creative agency or a large-scale employer, there is a place for you in this initiative. Together, we can ensure that talent in Vauxhall is never wasted and that every professional woman, regardless of her background, has the opportunity to thrive.

Contact Routes today to begin your journey toward a more inclusive, diverse, and successful workplace.