When Yurii Budianskyi arrived in the UK as a refugee from Ukraine, he faced a daunting reality—a new country, an unfamiliar language, and the challenge of rebuilding his career from scratch. With experience in handyman work, assembling computer equipment, and running a small online store, he was eager to find employment and explore a business idea but felt lost and unsure of where to begin.
That’s when he discovered STEP—a programme that not only supports refugees in finding work but also provides business development assistance and language training. For Yurii, this was an opportunity too valuable to ignore.
Through STEP, he received expert job search guidance from his Employment Advisor, Mariia Makarova, which helped him secure a role at Wandgas Sports and Social Club. At the same time, he was introduced to TERN (The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network), which became instrumental in turning his business idea into a structured plan.
With the support of TERN specialists, Yurii worked on key aspects of his business, including:
✅ Selecting equipment and materials
✅ Finding suitable premises
✅ Designing packaging
✅ Developing a sales strategy
In addition to career and business support, STEP provided high-quality English language training, which significantly improved Yurii’s ability to communicate and operate effectively in the UK job market.
Beyond business, Yurii also took part in the People & Planet Programme, where he learned how to reduce the environmental and social impact of running a business—a crucial step in ensuring that his enterprise is not only profitable but also sustainable.
Today, Yurii is more confident, skilled, and driven than ever before. He has a clear roadmap for his business and the knowledge to execute his vision. Reflecting on his journey, he shares:
“STEP was exactly what I needed. I improved my English, got real job support, and now I have a clear plan to build my business. The specialists at STEP and TERN are incredible—they are the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Yurii’s story is a testament to the transformative power of tailored employment and entrepreneurship support.