Meet Emma and Jack

Our team is growing in Bristol! We have recently welcomed two new staff members to our ACH team. Emma and Jack started within a week of each other and have gone ahead full steam into their new roles. Emma has joined our support team, whilst Jack has joined our Himilo training team. 

Meet Emma

What did you do before coming to ACH?

Before coming to ACH I studied Politics and Spanish at the University of Bristol. During my degree, I began volunteering with Bristol Refugee Rights at their Welcome Centre in St Pauls which is how I became interested in working full time with asylum seekers and refugees. After graduating I worked in the hospitality sector and began working as a volunteer advocate for asylum seekers which was my first experience in a support/advice role.  

Why did you decide to come to ACH?

I first heard of ACH through my volunteer work and I was interested in the work ACH carries out and impressed by the wide range of services offered by one organisation. I knew I enjoyed working with people from all over the world and that I wanted a career in the non-profit sector in a front-line role so when I was offered the opportunity to join ACH I was very happy.

What project are you working on for us?

I’m working with the Support and Integration Team!

What is it that you want to achieve?

I want to learn as much as I can about how to help people overcome the obstacles to integration. I want to develop my skills as a support worker and build a good rapport with our tenants. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to ACH’s work and I hope that with the right support our tenants will feel happy, comfortable and confident enough to make a life in Bristol that fulfils them.

What are you hoping to gain from ACH?

I think I will be able to learn a lot working with ACH. I look forward to developing my skillset through training and through practice. I hope to learn how to be a good support worker, to meet many interesting people and to help our tenants in their journey to independent and happy living in the UK.

What is the proudest moment in your career?

Participating in a Street Arts Against Racism Festival in Greece and performing outside the local council office in response to them cancelling our show!

Meet Jack

What did you do before coming to ACH? 

I have been a teacher for about eight years now. Before coming to ACH I worked at an educational charity in West London, which provided employment support and training for the community. Before that, I worked in Spain and Argentina teaching English. I have also worked as an editor making TV programs. 

Why did you decide to come to ACH?

I really believe in the work that ACH does. I want to be involved in supporting the social integration of refugees, and I’m delighted that I can use my experience as a tutor to do so. The aim of ACH to redefine the narrative around refugees is also something that really resonates with me. I could also tell immediately after visiting that it was a wonderful environment to work in.

What project are you working on for us?

I am very excited to be running the job club, which is expanding and now taking place twice a week. I will also be delivering training courses, which will be primarily ESOL to begin with, with the prospect of also delivering functional skills courses and helping develop other courses in the future.

What is it that you want to achieve?

I want to help ACH grow and to continue to provide the fantastic support we offer. I also want to develop the job club and ensure it continues to be a source of support for the local community which is effective in helping people gain employment. I would also like to develop ambitious training programs in the future which would provide our tenants and learners with exciting opportunities.

What are you hoping to gain from ACH?

I’m hoping to gain the experience of being part of a team which makes a real difference to the lives of our tenants and learners and to be involved in the development of the training programs which could support their progression and provide opportunities.

What is the proudest moment in your career?

Probably designing and delivering bespoke courses for minicab drivers in London which allowed about 70 individuals to renew their licences and avoid the risk of losing employment.