Workpays Hosts Connect & Collaborate Event to Strengthen Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

(From right to left) Workpays' Managing Director, Anne Wright, Richard Keene, New Arrivals Alliance Manager at Community Action Derby, and Lindsay Hodgkinson, event organiser and Engagement Broker at Workpays.

On Monday 14th April, Workpays welcomed support services from across Derbyshire to its Derby centre for a Connect & Collaborate networking event, focused on strengthening support for refugees and asylum seekers.

The event brought together local organisations including Community Action Derby, Serco, Migrant Help UK, Upbeat Communities, British Red Cross, Standguide, Derby City Council, and Supporting Communities. Guests were invited to meet learners, explore the facilities, and hear from Workpays staff about the wraparound support provided.

Attendees also had the opportunity to engage directly with ESOL learners, deepening their understanding of the barriers faced by new arrivals and how support services can work better together to create more cohesive pathways.

Anne Wright, Managing Director at Workpays, highlighted the significance of the day:

“Our mission is rooted in community empowerment. Hosting events like this shows that we don’t just talk about social impact — we act on it. We believe that small changes lead to a big difference, and it starts with opening our doors and fostering these vital connections.”

Lindsay Hodgkinson, the event organiser and Engagement Broker at Workpays, explained what inspired her:

“I saw a real gap in how services communicate with one another, so I wanted to bring everyone under one roof. This event not only supports our learners but creates new opportunities by helping us work more effectively with the organisations around us.”

Richard Keene, New Arrivals Alliance Manager at Community Action Derby

Richard, praised the event:

“Workpays are embedded in the community. They provide essential resources and a positive, welcoming environment that makes a real difference to vulnerable individuals. Events like today help ensure services are joined-up, impactful, and accessible.”

The event reflects Workpays’ ongoing commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and community engagement, ensuring that learners and participants are not only upskilled but supported holistically on their journey into employment and integration.