Our TLC Values
Ensuring everyone feels welcome
We’re very proud of our simple, needs-driven, evidence-based and transformative programme for job-seekers and employers. But more importantly, we are proud of our values and the warm welcome we extend to everyone.
Our Collective
We pride ourselves on working collaboratively. All our work is needs-driven, co-created, piloted and led by people with lived expertise.
We appreciate that these experts provide a powerful and authentic voice and unique insights challenging assumptions and motivating us to think and do things differently.
Being able to contribute, create, originate and drive positive change, these experts develop confidence and feelings of pride.
This approach also challenges stereotypes and reduces power imbalances.
Lived Experience Team
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Rabab
WORK READY ENGLISH MANAGER
Rabab was TLC's very first employee and helped co-create our pioneering Work Ready English Programme.
Previously, Rabab worked in the travel industry in the United Arab Emirates as a Senior Travel consultant and has lived in the UK for more than 5 years.
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Kotaiba
PROJECTS MANAGER
Kotaiba oversees our Conversations about Work talks programme. He runs his own charity, a school in Jordan for displaced Syrian children.
Kotaiba previously worked at Refugease for 4 years as site manager, Middle East Programme Manager and Acting Retail Manager, he also has experience as a Volunteer Interpreter for Care4Calais. He has been living in the UK for six years.
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Khrystyna
VOLUNTEER & HR CO-ORDINATOR
Khrystyna looks after both our volunteers and team.
Khrystyna joined our team in 2022 following her experience living as a refugee in the UK with her 2 children.
Khrystyna was previously a school teacher in Ukraine and continues to support a Ukraine-based school.
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Meelad
TAILORED SUPPORT CO-ORDINATOR
Previously, Meelad worked as a Finance Officer in a non-profit organisation in Afghanistan and as an External Auditor, auditing commercial banks in the country.
Meelad has also worked as a freelance interpreter, debater, and a student ambassador at university.
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Ardavan
CLIENT CO-ORDINATOR
As a University student himself, Ardavan’s particular interest is in supporting clients on their pathways into Higher Education.
Ardavan is a musician/ singer songwriter and a psychologist, he is currently studying a Masters with a focus on how music can help with PTSD.
He is originally from Iran and currently based in London.
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Ahmed
DIGITAL PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR
Originally from Sudan, Ahmed brings a wealth of valuable experience with him.
He has previously worked as both a GeoMarketing Specialist and a Business Development Specialist in Khartoum. This energetic and warm young man will be supporting our clients on all things digital.
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Medya
SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR
Medya works closely alongside the tailored support team to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Medya has a Masters in Gender Violence and Conflict at University of Sussex, she also brings with her experience as Protection Programme Co-ordinator at Care International and Women Protection & Empowerment Programme Manager at International Rescue Committee, Syria.
Medya has incredible resilience and is a great problem solver.
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Mariam
WORK READY LEAD
Mariam pioneered our Work Ready English course (co-produced with and piloted by our collective). Mariam has over 22 years’ experience teaching general English, IELTS, Cambridge Exams and EAP in the UK, Sri Lanka, Italy and Nepal. She has been an IELTS and Cambridge examiner and has experience training teachers and designing courses.
Her family is from Afghanistan she is passionate about supporting refugees by removing language barriers.
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Daria
COMMUNITY & CORPORATE OUTREACH CO-ORDINATOR
Daria is a graduate of our very own Work Ready English Programme and she has definitely reaped the benefits of increased confidence and work related language skills.
She joined us with 5 years experience as a Corporate Lawyer in Ukraine, and more recent UK work experience as an Assistant Manager at Costa Coffee.
Our Trustees
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Jane
CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF TLC
Jane spent many years volunteering for refugee support groups, teaching English and art, acting as a mentor and befriender and organising public awareness events before setting up TLC.
Jane has also worked as a professional photographer, a marketeer and a market researcher.
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Summerly
CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF TLC
Summerly has a migrant background herself and has spent several years volunteering for refugee support groups.
Summerly's background is in language teaching and operations management, she worked as Operations Director and UK General Manager for notonthehighstreet, supporting small business development across the UK.
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Nora
TRUSTEE
Nora has been active in the community and voluntary sector for over 15 years. Nora is a Director of Bridging Change, championing and representing Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities.
She is passionate about tackling inequalities for the most disadvantaged communities previously working for organisations such as Scarman Trust and Voices in Exile. She is also a focused care practitioner at a GP surgery.
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Erfan
TRUSTEE
A skilled HR professional, Erfan graduated from Iran’s prestigious Allameh Tabataba’i University in 2018 and went on to gain a Masters Degree in Human Resources at Lancaster University.
As one of our early clients, we supported him to secure a full time role as a Research Consultant, two years later he moved to a role as a Human Resources Coordinator at the Financial Ombudsman Service.
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Tony
TREASURER
Tony has volunteered for over a decade in charities supporting refugees and asylum seekers. He is currently retired but his background was in Accountancy
Our Volunteers
Theory of Change
We are proud to be part of the movement towards refugees being seen as individuals positively enriching society.
TLC only exists because of inequalities and unfair systems. Unfortunately sanctuary seekers are at the sharp end of this. TLC uses employment as a vehicle for people with lived expertise to create momentum and drive the change needed.
Redefining “Refugee”
/refjʊˈdʒiː/ noun
A neighbour or colleague who is rebuilding a life in which they feel respected, valued and at home.
Synonyms: colleague; neighbour; friend; university graduate; talent; asset; skilled employee; qualified professional.