Coventry City Council is funded by the International Recruitment Programme to provide support locally. One of the many things they have done is introduce a regular ‘Welcome to Coventry’ drop in event.

The aim is to connect workers with local organisations offering practical and emotional support. Building on the success of the first event, the latest event, held on 29 April at Central Methodist Hall, welcomed over 150 international care workers – many accompanied by young children.

The Hall, a central and familiar landmark in the city, plays a key role in the event’s success. More than just a venue, it’s a well-known safe space for Coventry’s diverse population, run by a team that reflects that diversity – including staff of African and Hong Kong descent – helping foster a genuinely welcoming atmosphere and engendering vital trust

Gilly Kelly, International Recruitment Programme Director at WM-ADASS, attended the event to experience it first-hand. She described the atmosphere as vibrant and emotional – filled with conversation, energy, and a clear appetite for support. She said, “What was striking was how much people wanted to connect and how much they wanted to talk. The desperation to seek support to find a permanent full-time job was universal.”

Over a dozen stallholders took part, from Citizens Advice Bureau, employability and housing schemes, UNISON, services for the youth, Lifted, energy finance advice, Maximus, Tulia, and many more. Attendees spoke candidly about challenges such as visa uncertainty and precarious work conditions.

One care worker from Ghana shared: “I’m doing agency work because my sponsor’s licence was revoked. I’m limited to 20 hours, and some weeks, I get no hours at all. I can’t feed my children like this. I need a permanent job – I need help.”

These experiences are echoed by event organisers and partners. Simon Veasey, International Recruitment Lead at Coventry City Council, said:

“These sessions are a vital lifeline. We’ve seen families in real distress – some haven’t eaten, others arrive with young children. It’s not just about signposting people to jobs – it’s about care, trust, and hope. Central Methodist Hall provides the kind of space where that support can truly happen.”

Visitors from neighbouring councils also attended, including leads from Dudley, who plan to take ideas back to support their own communities.

The value of peer-led support was also on display. Rumbidzai, Founder and Director of Tulia – one of the attending organisations – shared: “We are an organisation led by people with lived experience – we are migrants – we’ve walked this journey. That’s how we build rapport. People reach out to us via WhatsApp, and we meet them where they are – sometimes literally – teaching them about their rights.”

The event’s success reinforces the urgency and importance of this initiative. For many care workers, these gatherings offer more than information – they offer hope.

The drop in was organised by International Recruitment Leads Simon and Aila from Coventry with support from Ruth from Warwickshire.
If you would like more information about these events please email IR@coventry.gov.uk

Simon Veasey, International Recruitment Lead at Coventry City Council, said:

“These sessions are a vital lifeline. We’ve seen families in real distress – some haven’t eaten, others come with young children. So, it’s not simply about signposting international care workers to jobs where we can, but it’s about offering care, trust, and hope. Feedback has been really positive – and there’s a real need for safe, welcoming spaces where people feel heard and supported.”