Thanks for taking the time to visit our REN 45 Minutes a day for May JustGiving page.

Me and Joe have signed up to this. I will be pledge to do 45 of exercise minutes a day for the month of May combination of reformer pilates, walking, strength, spin or swimming and dragon boat if my shoulder is up to it! My goal is only to loose 4 pounds. Joe will pledge to run, walk or strength training.

Ren is an amazing charity and my lovely friend Caroline Moreton has set this up. See below for more information.

This volunteer led fundraising initiative is designed to be inclusive, challenging and a conduit to building awareness about the Refugee Employment Network (REN), their mission is simple: to ensure all refugees can access fair, fulfilling, and paid employment in the UK.

REN are the UK’s only national network dedicated exclusively to refugee employment. We bring together over 400 organisations across all four nations— including charities, employers, local authorities, training providers, and industry bodies — to work collaboratively towards better employment outcomes.

Through this network, we connect with over 67,000 refugees. In the past three years alone, we have helped open up more than 17,500 job opportunities and connected over 3,500 refugees with 840 employers committed to inclusive hiring https://refugeeemploymentnetwork.org/

Why this work matters

Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.

In the UK, a refugee is someone who has been granted legal protection by the UK Government. Refugees have the legal right to work in the UK.

Refugees have the right to work, but too often face systemic barriers.

Unemployment among refugees is three times the national average. This is not due to a lack of talent or ambition. Many people arrive with strong qualifications and years of experience:

• Over half hold qualifications equivalent to A-levels or higher

• Nearly a quarter have a master’s degree or above

Yet only 43% of displaced professionals are in roles that match their skills. Many are held back by challenges such as non-recognition of qualifications, limited professional networks, and unfamiliarity with the UK job market. The result is widespread underemployment, lost potential, and increased vulnerability to exploitation.

How REN make a difference

REN works alongside refugees, businesses and partner organisations to create pathways into meaningful, skilled employment. REN strengthen connections between talented individuals and employers who are ready to build more inclusive workforces.

With your support

Your donation helps grow REN's mentoring programme, reconnecting highly skilled refugee talent with professional careers in the UK.

Many people arrive with qualifications, experience and ambition but without the networks or opportunities to continue their careers. REN mentoring opens doors back into skilled work while rebuilding confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.

This is about making sure talent is not lost or overlooked, but recognised and put back where it can thrive.

Rebuilding lives means rebuilding careers, restoring purpose and creating a sense of community.

Join us, support & sponsor us

So far >50 people have joined our first crowd fundraising effort, which launches on the 1st of May and ends on the 31st May 2026. Everyone is welcome.

What will we be doing?

Any sport, any activity, as long as it takes 45 minutes a day, and by doing it you push yourself to a "Personal Best" each day. You could Run, Swim, Row, Knit, Crochet, Meditate etc. By undertaking something challenging every day, even the prospect of doing something every day is hard enough, we hope you'll see your resilience, energy, community and ever skills or muscles get stronger.

Join us, sponsor us, or join us now for 2026!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to REN our chosen charity.

Inclusion at the heart of this challenge

Whilst I may have been inspired to set this up, we are grateful for this brilliant team, our motivators, cheerleaders and your donations. REN will receive your kind donations, all activities, ages, locations, and abilities are welcome, and inclusion is at the heart of our challenge. Everyone involved has a connection in some way to refugees, REN and our team, and we thank you all for your generous support.

Thank you so much, Caroline and the 45 minute a day crew.

Volunteers and support so far include

Family, friends, colleagues across the UK, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and we have the wonderful support of EY & Third Space. Thank you all so much

Thanks so much Caroline Morton & the 45 minutes a day crew x