Our flagship project, Pathways to Independence, is transforming people’s lives and benefitting the whole community. Originally developed in response to the challenges of supporting refugees into work, Pathways to Independence is an innovative and holistic programme that supports people to become independent of charity and state support. Each person’s ‘pathway’ is individually co-designed by them and Pathways to Independence Manager, Kerry Foster, and together they look at every area of their lives, to maximise skills and experience, and identify areas they need extra support with. This is clearly a very intensive approach, but we have found it is the only effective one, so anything less ends up being a false economy.
Kerry joined us to launch and run the new Pathways to Independence project in January 2023, and over the last three years has taken it from a concept to a proven model. 133 beneficiaries have participated in the project so far, and many more have registered for its expert help.
When we first meet beneficiaries, they are often fearful and traumatised, don’t understand English and are in need of the basics – food, clothes, nappies, toiletries – with no way to provide or advocate for themselves. Pathways to Independence takes them all the way from this level of complete dependence to being able to support themselves, plan their future and contribute to their new communities, i.e. the journey ‘from crisis to contribution’.
We have recently signed off six individuals – the adults from three families – who have successfully come through Pathways to Independence and have achieved a remarkable level of independence. See their stories below. These families all needed a lot of staff and volunteers’ time to start with, which gradually grew less as they reached each milestone. The initial investment is vital for future success – something we know from experience.
Key achievements that we have found are most important in many people’s journeys are learning English, getting a driving licence and volunteering for other local charities. Volunteering increases confidence and improves English (supported by Chichester College language courses) and enables people to find purpose, ‘give back’ and begin to integrate with the community. We have found that even once refugees have found paid work and are able to support their families financially, they continue volunteering as the experience has been so valuable to them.
SUCCESS STORIES
(Names have been changed to protect identities)
Eliad & Miriam
Eliad and Miriam arrived in the UK among the initial cohort of evacuees fleeing Taliban threats in Afghanistan. Arriving with one child, their second was born just a month later in Chichester; the family has since grown to include four children.
Their journey began with two years of intensive support. While initial aid centred on housing and benefits, the focus soon shifted to long-term empowerment. Eliad’s determination to master English and obtain a UK driving licence marked a critical turning point from receiving support to building a professional career. In their third year, having passed his driving test, they were able to buy a vehicle and Eliad started full-time employment as a delivery driver, establishing a consistent income for his family.
Miriam confidently navigates the community with their four children. They have moved entirely beyond the need for translation services or crisis support. Of Pathways to Independence, Eliad said, “It helped me understand my goals, build my independence, and access support with education, work, and daily living skills. It has also given me a clear plan for the future.”
Yasmin & Sajid
Arriving in the UK as Syrian refugees, after spending a year in a refugee camp, Yasmin and Sajid were deeply traumatised by war and displacement. They spoke no English and were overwhelmed and bewildered by the complexities of UK systems and daily life. Sanctuary in Chichester provided a dedicated network of befrienders and an English tutor to support them in their new environment. Through this support, the family has transitioned from high-intensity intervention to full self-management.
Their Pathways to Independence journey is marked by significant milestones: Both have achieved UK citizenship; Yasmin learned to drive and has bought a car, giving her increased independence; and the family now confidently navigates local services. Sajid attends Chichester College, studying English, and Yasmin’s spoken English is progressing well through one-to-one tutoring from one of our volunteer tutors.
The family reports feeling safe and well-integrated within their local neighbourhood, describing their area as “quiet and peaceful”, and they are developing connections with their “kind neighbours”.
Isaac & Anna
When Isaac and Anna first arrived in the UK, they were trapped in a cycle of acute crisis, surviving on just £8 per week due to administrative errors and isolated by a lack of English. They were powerless to resolve their situation, struggling even to afford basic necessities for their two children.
SiC provided the intensive advocacy needed to stabilise their immediate situation, securing their legal rights and living expenses. However, the true transformation began as they moved toward empowered independence. By engaging with our weekly Drop-In and Pathways to Independence goal-setting, the couple managed to move from being passive recipients of aid to directing their own futures.
Their recent Pathways to Independence review showed their exceptional trajectory toward self-sufficiency. Initially requiring intensive volunteer support for basic navigation (medical, financial, and legal), they are now both employed, no longer claim Universal Credit, and have been granted leave to remain. They are now able to focus on long-term career specialisation and their future, rather than the family’s immediate survival. Read Isaac and Anna’s story in their own words here >>
And finally, here are a couple of testimonials from Pathways to Independence participants:
“Sanctuary helped me to find a good job to support myself and my family. I work as a carer now, and supporting people in their day-to-day life gives me energy. Now I am able to meet my own financial needs and I can pay my bills, as well as support my family.”
“Sanctuary helped me to find my perfect job to support myself and my family. I work as a tailor now, which helps me financially and improves my skills, as well as meaning I can afford to meet all my family’s needs. My biggest achievements so far are completing the English course, and getting my tailoring job.”
CAN YOU HELP?
We rely on grants and the generosity of individual supporters to run Pathways to Independence, and as we are keen to expand this proven approach to support more refugees towards independence and integration, we’re campaigning to raise funds for this transformative work.
If you would like to donate to Pathways to Independence, you can do so here >>
If you’re thinking of donating but would like to know more, email contact@sanctuaryinchichester.org.
If you are interested in volunteering as a Pathways to Independence mentor, a language tutor or any other role supporting refugees towards independence, please get in touch >> This type of volunteering requires a regular time commitment, and offers huge rewards from seeing those you are supporting begin to flourish.