In an industrial estate in Mitcham, a quiet revolution is underway, offering a lifeline to asylum seekers stuck in what they describe as the depressing limbo of hotel accommodation. Through hands-on construction training, they are gaining not just qualifications, but hope, community, and a path to employment.
Building Skills and Breaking Isolation
Mansour, an Iranian national who has been living in a Croydon hotel for just over a month, finds the experience profoundly difficult. "Being in the hotel is just depressing," he said. His salvation comes in the form of a custom-built workshop run by CEO (Construction and Engineering Opportunities), a community interest company. Here, he learns to fix leaks, use tools safely, and work towards a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, a vital ticket to work on UK building sites.
The initiative is part of the RAISE programme, supported by Croydon Council, which focuses on Refugees and Asylum Seekers Integration and Empowerment. Founder Viviene Bish Bedeau, a plumbing and heating engineer with four decades of experience, established CEO to create opportunities for young people and marginalised communities. "The idea is to give them skills that make them more employable and get them involved," she explained.
For participants like Saiied, another Iranian asylum seeker, the social aspect is as crucial as the vocational training. He highlighted the isolation of hotel life, stating, "It’s hard to make friends there, but here we have the same target." The workshop acts as a community hub where Farsi and French are commonly heard, and where practical learning is paired with shared meals and bonding.
Changing the Face of the Industry
Viviene's vision extends beyond immediate skills training. She is on a mission to diversify the construction industry, drawing from her own experience as a black woman in a male-dominated field. "If you want to say anything about how hard it can be, look at me," she said, believing that representation is key to attracting a wider range of people.
This ethos is reflected in CEO's all-female leadership team, which includes colleague Jo. They run youth programmes like Constructioneers and Mini Constructioneers, providing hands-on electrical and construction skills to teenagers and children as young as six, including those with special educational needs or who are not in mainstream school. The approach is flexible and trust-based, adapting to individual needs. "We are preparing them because in the real world there will be women in charge as well," Jo noted.
A Future Built on Community and Support
The organisation, which currently sees around nine regular attendees from the asylum seeker community, is poised for significant growth. In March, CEO will relocate from Mitcham to a larger unit in Croydon's Whitgift Centre, a move designed to embed it deeper within the community it serves. The new premises will include a dedicated hot-work zone and is expected to boost participation in its DIY courses, which help fund the social enterprise.
Funding remains a challenge, with the organisation relying on external support like Children in Need grants. Viviene, recently named Inspirational Woman of the Industry at the Hustle Awards, initially used her own money and crowdfunding to launch programmes like RAISE. She is also seeking to become an approved alternative education provider for Croydon Council, which could see more young people referred to their life-changing courses.
For Viviene, the motivation is simple and powerful. "I just love that they want to learn," she said, reflecting on the asylum seekers she supports. Her work, born from a changed perspective after a talk at her church about the reality of asylum support, is building more than just plumbing skills; it is constructing dignity, purpose, and a tangible future for some of society's most vulnerable individuals.
