Refugees Volunteer Roles

We are a charity that focuses on education and campaigning to support the needs wider community and of people seeking sanctuary primarily within Swindon but also considering the national situation too.

The Chair should be able to lead the charity over the next 3-5 years and empower the trustees and paid members of staff to work towards achieving all of our charitable objectives.  We are looking for an individual with a passion for the fair treatment of people seeking sanctuary within Swindon and for the education of the town's population as to the value of this group to our wider community.

What are we looking for?

A commitment to the vision and mission of Swindon City of Sanctuary.

Successful experience of operating effectively in leadership roles, ideally leading diverse teams, within a charitable, public sector or commercial organisation.

An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees and Charity Manager and acceptance of the legal dues, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.

Demonstrable ability and experience of building and sustaining relationships with stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.

Knowledge of current global/national/local context relating to migration and seeking sanctuary

An ability to work effectively as a member of a team Preparedness to make difficult  recommendations to the Board, when necessary, with diplomacy.

A history of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.

Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries when required.

Lived experience of migration or seeking sanctuary would be welcomed.

Specific skills, experiences or areas of expertise to complement the existing members of the Board.

Knowledge of the Swindon community

Previous chairing experience and human resources knowledge

The full list of skills, experience and qualities are listed on the attached Job Description.

Generally we are looking for someone with leadership experience/skills, who can plan strategically taking the rest of the team with them.

What difference will you make?

This position will give the successful individual a chance to lead a well respected local charity and develop its influence over the next 5 years.  You will be able to see Swindon further develop as a safe place for people seeking sanctuary and a local population who fully understand their role in being part of the process.

With our links to the national City of Sanctuary organisation you will be able to lead campaigns that will help to shape government policy on all areas of immigration policy.

Before you apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for the post.   You will then be contacted and an informal meeting will be arranged.

This is an exciting opportunity to help lead Big Leaf Foundation in the next phase of its development, as we transition our self-employed contractors to employee contracts and explore new multi-year core funding opportunities to build greater sustainability in our work. We are looking for someone with direct experience in financial management and/or charity finance and fundraising to fill this role. Ideally you will have experience of moving people onto employee contracts. You will use your skills and knowledge to make a lasting difference to the lives of displaced young people in Surrey.

In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the treasurer include:

• Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts and financial statements.
• Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs.
• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy.
• Preparing and presenting financial reports to the board.
• Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Liaising with any paid staff and volunteers about financial matters.
• Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans.
• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate ethical funding policy.
• Ensuring that there is no conflict between any funding sources and the aims and objects of the charity.
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, for example the Charity Commission.
• Ensuring that the accounts are scrutinised in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
• Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation.
• Ensuring the accounts are presented in a coherent and easily understandable way in our annual review.
• Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required.

In addition, with other trustees to hold the charity “in trust” for current and future beneficiaries by:

• Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
• Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its “corporate” behaviour; ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
• Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.

Do you live in Wales and want to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people?

We are offering 1 young person aged 18-25 the opportunity to volunteer for up to 11 months with the Portuguese Red Cross in Braga, Portugal.

You will be working on a range of projects, which will give you the chance to explore the different kinds of social action that the Portuguese Red Cross undertake in Braga.

This is a great opportunity to get involved in these projects and find out what you are interested in. For more details on the role and the projects available, have a look at the role description. The main thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement!

Typical tasks may involve:

• Supporting the charity shop, Ponto Vermelho, with social media, sorting donations and organising the displays.
• Supporting in the Youth Centre for the Roma Community – organising and delivering activities, helping with homework.
• Supporting in the Foster Care for Unaccompanied Minor Refugees.
• Supporting the Social Kindergarten.
• Assisting with projects which help the homeless and the elderly.
• Assisting in the writing of project proposals and funding bids.

Please note that only young people based in Wales can apply for this role. Interviews will take place online with shortlisted candidates.

Rôl Braga

Ydych chi'n byw yng Nghymru ac eisiau ennill sgiliau gwerthfawr, cael profiadau newydd, a chefnogi pobl fregus?

Rydym yn cynnig cyfle i 1 person ifanc 18-25 oed wirfoddoli am hyd at 11 mis gyda'r Groes Goch Portiwgaleg yn Braga, Portiwgal.

Byddwch yn gweithio ar amrywiaeth o brosiectau, a fydd yn rhoi cyfle i chi archwilio'r gwahanol fathau o weithredu cymdeithasol y mae'r Groes Goch Portiwgaleg yn eu cyflawni yn Braga.

Mae hwn yn gyfle gwych i gymryd rhan yn y prosiectau hyn a darganfod beth sydd o ddiddordeb i chi. Am fwy o fanylion am y rôl a'r prosiectau sydd ar gael, edrychwch ar y disgrifiad rôl. Y prif beth yr ydym am ei weld yw eich cymhelliant ar gyfer y lleoliad hwn!

Gall tasgau cyffredinol gynnwys:

· Cefnogi'r siop elusen, Ponto Vermelho, gyda'r cyfryngau cymdeithasol, trefnu rhoddion a threfnu'r arddangosfeydd.

· Cefnogi yng Nghanolfan Ieuenctid y Gymuned Roma – trefnu a darparu gweithgareddau, helpu gyda gwaith cartref.

· Cefnogi Gofal Maeth ar gyfer Ffoaduriaid Ifanc ar Ben eu Hunain

· Cefnogi'r Ysgol Feithrin Gymdeithasol.

· Cynorthwyo gyda phrosiectau sy'n helpu'r digartref a'r henoed.

· Cynorthwyo i ysgrifennu cynigion prosiect a cheisiadau am gyllid.

We are looking for a Program Coordinator for our Scouts Program based in Ioannina, for a minimum commitment of 6 months.

In this role, you’ll be coordinating the daily planning and delivery of activities for young refugees in two refugee camps: Katsikas and Agia Eleni.

The program consists of English language classes, educational workshops and excursions outside of the camp. The program engages around 50 children at each site, between the ages of 8 and 17, the majority of whom are from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

For this role:

Initially, you will work closely with the outgoing Program Coordinator to learn how the program functions. This may last a few weeks and may include preparing and delivering sessions in line with your skills, supporting teachers, and helping organise weekend excursions. This gives us a chance to see your capacities and conduct a thorough handover. 

Role Description:

You will…

• Coordinate, delegate, and manage a team of 4-5 volunteers in the daily operations of the Scouts Program
• Develop current programming in coordination with the Programs Manager and project team member
• Assess impact and effectiveness of the program in line with its objectives
• Plan and deliver effective educational and outdoor activities, within a theme-based, modular curriculum
• Ensure a high quality of program implementation, with the ability to provide behaviour management and safeguarding training to new volunteers
• Directly supervise and support project team to ensure effective inductions and transfer of key skills/knowledge take place between short term team members
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders
• Represent Second Tree in relevant external meetings with international actors (UNHCR, IOM, ASB, Intersos, TDH) or local authorities (municipality, army, police, etc)
• Capture and compile relevant M&E on the program
• Conduct interviews with volunteer candidates

Skills:

You are able to. . .

• Oversee the delivery of program activities and the completion of vital administrative and logistical tasks
• Be accountable and efficient, making sure that tasks that you take up are completed in the agreed timeframe
• Be honest and transparent, being able to give and receive feedback in the most straightforward way
• Have a strong sense of humor, being able to make fun of yourself is key
• Care for people, the interests of the people we work with should always be your first concern
• Instil the values above in the people that work with you
• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring all deadlines are met
• Manage individuals effectively to create a positive team environment in which shared problem solving is encouraged
• Communicate in English, both written and orally
• Learn quickly, managing a wide-ranging and intense workload

Knowledge:

You understand…

• What is required to work and effectively communicate in complex and volatile contexts
• Essential background of the refugee crisis and its impact
• Essential behaviour management techniques which can be employed effectively with children and young people
• Your own personal leadership skills/profile and how to effectively manage a team

We offer:

• Accommodation in a shared house.
• Transportation to/from work.
• After completion of a three-month trial, if you commit long-term, small monthly expenses refund.

In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the volunteer houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the volunteer houses are full, this would allow us to offer a volunteering opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

NOTE: If you require a visa to stay in Greece for the minimum ten-week commitment, please know that as a Greek NGO, we are unable to sponsor your visa.

We are looking to recruit people to one of the following four roles within our youth programme, for a minimum commitment of 10 weeks, and whilst these should guide applications, imagination and flexibility is encouraged when applying.  Currently, the youth programme works with young refugees and asylum seekers across two sites, providing them with a sense of community and experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise receive!

There are some specific applicant requirements, however the most important is to have a strong desire to work with refugees and a commitment to improve the situation for them here in Greece.  Second Tree works in a transparent way in a challenging and changeable situation on the field; therefore, an ability to learn quickly and be open to feedback is vital.

We are looking to recruit people to one of the following four roles within our youth programme, and whilst these should guide applications, imagination and flexibility is encouraged when applying. 

The roles are:

• Children’s ESL teacher: responsible for the delivery of the programme’s English classes across two sites.  Classes focus on low level English learning and must be fun and engaging. TEFL/equivalent experience is required.
• Scout/excursion leader: responsible for leading the weekend excursions for both camps, a highlight of the programme for participants! Excursions are based generally on the Scout model and require an organised, methodical planner who is confident leading groups of children.
• Arts and crafts specialist: responsible for using knowledge of art, music and practical skills to plan creative workshops within the existing curriculum. Assist the programme lead and scout leader when organising and partaking in excursions.
• Science/maths specialist: responsible for using knowledge of science and maths to plan creative and engaging workshops within the existing curriculum. Assist the programme lead and scout leader when organising and partaking in excursions.

Skills:

You are able to. . .

• Oversee the delivery of program activities and the completion of vital administrative and logistical tasks
• Be accountable and efficient, making sure that tasks that you take up are completed in the agreed timeframe
• Be honest and transparent, being able to give and receive feedback in the most straightforward way
• Have a strong sense of humor, being able to make fun of yourself is key
• Care for people, the interests of the people we work with should always be your first concern
• Instil the values above in the people that work with you
• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring all deadlines are met
• Manage individuals effectively to create a positive team environment in which shared problem solving is encouraged
• Communicate in English, both written and orally
• Learn quickly, managing a wide-ranging and intense workload

Skills Desired:

• Experience with teenagers in educational and leisure activities
• Experience working as a Scout leader or in other leadership roles
• Knowledge of pedagogical tools and programs suitable for children/vulnerable people.

We offer:

•  Accommodation in a shared house.
•  Transportation to/from work.
•  After completion of a three-month trial, if you commit long-term, small monthly expenses refund

In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the volunteer houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the volunteer houses are full, this would allow us to offer a volunteering opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

NOTE: If you require a visa to stay in Greece for the minimum ten-week commitment, please know that as a Greek NGO, we are unable to sponsor your visa.

About the Role

We are looking for a compassionate and skilled volunteer to serve as a Community Interpreter within IRMO’s Thrive education advocacy project. In this role, you’ll support migrant families by helping them communicate with schools, practitioners, and service providers. This is a valuable opportunity for someone who enjoys working directly with families and has a commitment to facilitating effective communication in a sensitive context.

Main tasks and responsibilities

● Interpretation Support: Provide interpreting services for families during interactions with schools, SEN services, and other relevant practitioners.

● Family Assistance: Help families communicate clearly under the supervision of a caseworker, ensuring they understand the options and services available to them.

● Collaboration with Caseworkers: Work closely with the IRMO team to prepare for meetings and follow-ups, supporting families in navigating complex processes.

We are looking for someone who is/has:

● Verbal and written communication skills in English and either Spanish and/or Portuguese;

● Experience or strong interest in working with migrant communities, particularly families and children.

● A flexible and enthusiastic person who is confident in working in a multicultural and multilingual environment;

● Good IT skills, including in using Microsoft and Google suite packages, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and databases;

● Good interpersonal and communication skills and attention to detail;

● A caring, sensitive and non-judgemental manner;

● Knowledge of how to deal with sensitive and confidential information;

● Ability to learn quickly and adapt to CRM systems

Play for Progress (PfP) is an award winning trauma-informed creative charity supporting asylum-seeking young people. Since launching in 2017, we have worked with 500+ young people to reduce their isolation and re-traumatisation, develop practical and social skills, and improve their wellbeing.

What will you be doing?

• Leadership and Governance: Lead the Board, set agendas with the Executive Director, foster trust, and ensure governance and strategy execution align with the charity's mission.
• Board Effectiveness: Ensure the Board is efficient, diverse, skilled, and aligned with strategic goals, managing appraisals and transitions.
• Executive Support: Support the Executive Director, ensure Board decisions are implemented, and conduct performance reviews.
• Strategic Promotion and Advocacy: Promote the charity's profile, represent it externally, and support fundraising through networks.
• Mission Delivery and Financial Oversight: Ensure the charity meets its goals, oversee financial performance, and approve budgets.

Estimate of time needed: 1-3 hours / week or 3-7 hours / week

What are we looking for?

• Experience of governance of a charity; 
• Ability to fulfil the job description; 
• A commitment to PfP’s values; 
• An awareness of issues affecting PfP or willingness to learn about them; 
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to prepare for and attend regular board meetings for at least 3 years; 
• Integrity; 
• Strategic vision and an ability to stay focused on strategic objectives; 
• Good independent judgement; 
• Willingness to take part in board discussions, contribute constructively and listen to others; 
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and liabilities of trustees of a charitable company; 
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team; 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; 
• Understanding and acceptance of the Equity, Diversion and Inclusion Policy; and 
• Willingness to undertake training required on trustee duties.

What difference will you make?

"Nothing gives us greater joy than to see our young people heal, thrive and achieve their purpose." - Bridget Banda, Executive Director 

The new Chair will play a crucial role in advancing Play for Progress’ mission, helping to grow the organisation’s impact and influence, and ensuring it continues to provide life-changing support to young refugees navigating their journey to safety.

Before you apply

Fancy an informal chat before applying? Get in touch with us via TrusteeWorks email, who will arrange an informal conversation with our Executive Director, Bridget Banda, or a current Board member. 

To apply, send a one-page cover letter or short video clip introducing yourself along with a copy of your CV to the TrusteeWorks email. 

About the Legal Education Foundation (LEF)

“Why does it matter that people can understand and use the law?”

This question lies at our core. It led us to focus on the law as a tool for social justice and has become the common thread in our work. We are now one of the largest social justice funders in the UK, and one of the only to focus on the specific role and potential of the law. 

We distribute around £6m a year through our grants addressing critical areas of law, such as human rights, employment, housing, discrimination, children’s rights, community care, education, immigration, asylum and public and administrative law. We fund work to advance racial, gender, and disability justice, and work with communities including tenants, workers, migrants, refugees, and children. As well as funding, we also support organisations with training, consultancy and networking opportunities while using insights from our work and the work of our grant partners to influence broader policies and systems.

Over the past 12 years, we have achieved a great deal, and the journey ahead is even more exciting. As we develop our next strategy, we are deepening our focus on strengthening those who are best placed to drive social justice, building trusting relationships with grant partners and, especially during these challenging times, showing solidarity.

For new trustees, this is a pivotal moment to help shape our future working alongside a committed board, dynamic staff team, and a wide network of grant partners, peer funders and others committed to social justice.

About being a new Trustee

There’s more information in the pack but to give a flavour, being a trustee includes: shaping and approving our vision and strategy, being part of the team that ensures we follow governance best practice, overseeing the funds and budget of the organisation, risk management and making sure we live our values. 

Our trustees bring a range of perspectives and provide expertise alongside their commitment and energy. We work by consensus in a collegiate manner. Meetings are stimulating, instructive and respectful. We are experienced and supportive, and you do not need to have had previous trustee experience to apply. 

We are seeking up to three new trustees to contribute to our mission. In this recruitment round, we are prioritising candidates with lived and learned experience in one or more of the following areas: frontline social justice work, lived experience of social justice issues, the UK immigration system, strategic communications and influencing and progressive grantmaking. The new trustees will also need to demonstrate an ability to work collegiately a commitment to equity, diversity and anti-oppression, and an acceptance of the legal duties of a trustee. For more details, please see the candidate pack. 

We are open to candidates seeking their first board position and support, training and a comprehensive induction will be provided by the Foundation to help new trustees feel confident in the role.

If you heed help to access the application materials, please contact Allyson Daviesor Belinda Berry.

We value, welcome and respect all the differences that make us who we are, including: age, cultural background, disability and mental health, ethnicity and race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, neurodiversity and socioeconomic background.

How to express your interest

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Allyson Davies (details in the pack).

Download the Trustee information pack for more background about LEF, the requirements of the role, and how to express your interest. 

About Crisis

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We believe everyone should have somewhere safe and warm to call home and are committed to ending homelessness. Every year we work side by side with thousands of people from all sections of our communities to help them rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by...

Helping us better respond to the needs of the people accessing our services. You know your community better than we do - by identifying and creating connections with a network of Eritrean organisations and community groups, such as churches and support groups, we’ll be better able to support Eritrean people who are experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

Timings

Flexible, but approx. 7 hours per week – this may include evenings and/or weekends depending on the availability of community groups/organisations.

Location

Mainly remote/community-based plus Skylight London, 50 Commercial St, London E1 6LT.

Responsible to

Eritrean Community Connection Volunteer Supervisor.

Core tasks

• With the Volunteer Supervisor, hold focus groups with Crisis members to identify potential contacts within Eritrean community groups and increase our knowledge and cultural awareness of the Eritrean community
• Proactively source and arrange meetings with different Eritrean community groups to:

1. Help link these organisations with Crisis so that information can be shared about the realities of homelessness in London and the work of Crisis Skylight
2. Gain valuable knowledge about cultural sensitivities so that we can improve staff awareness and better support people from the Eritrean community

Who we are looking for

To be successful in this role we’re looking for someone who:

• Is fluent in English and Tigrinya and/or Amharic and can translate and interpret between them
• Is knowledgeable about the culture and practices in the countries where Tigrinya/ Amharic are spoken
• Has the confidence and motivation to source opportunities to link with Eritrean organisations and community groups and represent Crisis independently
• Has excellent communication skills and is confident networking and talking to new people
• Has good IT skills with the ability to use email and the internet proficiently
• Is organised and reliable, non-judgemental, patient and friendly
• Is passionate about ending and preventing homelessness for people from the Eritrean community
• Understands the importance of adhering to policies and processes, including confidentiality, safeguarding, data protection and professional boundaries
• Is able to commit to the role for 6 months

What you will gain

Engaging your community with a cause you are passionate about is an incredibly rewarding experience. It is a good way to affect change at a local level, improve services and inspire others to consider how they too can take action to end homelessness.

• This is a new volunteering role, which you have the unique opportunity to help develop
• Opportunities to learn about the causes and effects of homelessness and how to engage others in the conversation
• Networking experience for a national organisation including public speaking and relationship management
• The opportunity to share your existing or develop new skills in a friendly and supportive environment
• Regular meetings to discuss how your volunteering is going and what other opportunities and training may be available to you
• Being part of a wide network of staff, volunteers and supporters all working together to end homelessness
• A reference for volunteering at a national organisation

Additional information

• Following a successful interview and references, completion of essential e-learning and training is required before starting the role
• A Crisis IT account will be issued for the role and must be used for all communications and record keeping connected with the role
• Out of pocket travel expenses and meal allowance will be reimbursed in line with our expenses policy
• We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and particularly welcome Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBTQ+, disabled and male applicants as well as those with lived experience of homelessness as these are currently under-represented groups in our volunteer pool

Application closing date: Sunday 26th January 2025 at 2pm.  Applicants will be contacted after the closing date.

We are looking for a Program Coordinator for our Adult Education Program based in Ioannina, for a minimum commitment of 6 months.

In this role, you’ll be coordinating the implementation of language classes and associated tasks at two refugee camps: Katsikas and Agia Eleni.

The majority of the students are from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The sites have two to four English classes each day, which are differentiated by English ability from A0 to A2. 

Role description

You will…

• Coordinate and manage daily operations of the adult education program
• Develop the program in coordination with the Programs Manager
• Assess impact and effectiveness against program objectives
• Ensure that teachers are equipped with the necessary knowledge to complete their administrative tasks to a high standard and in a timely fashion
• Conduct regular class observations, providing teachers with quality feedback on their teaching
• Provide new teachers with key insights into language teaching in the refugee context
• Ensure inductions to and exits from the education team are smooth and effective, including successful handover of classes between teachers
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders and represent Second Tree in relevant external meetings
• Capture and compile monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) reports in line with program deadlines
• Ensure overall management of the program, guaranteeing quality and relevance

Skills 

You have…

• University Degree in Education/Teaching
• Certificate in English language teaching (TEFL/TESOL/CELTA or equivalent)
• Experience in developing and delivering teacher training

You are able to…

• Oversee the daily activities of the adult education team
• Ensure that teachers’ needs are met and that they in turn meet the requirements of their roles
• Be accountable and efficient, making sure that tasks that you take up are completed in the agreed timeframe
• Be honest and transparent, being able to give and receive feedback in the most straightforward way
• Have a strong sense of humor, being able to make fun of yourself is key
• Care for people, the interests of the people we work with should always be your first concern
• Instil the values above in the people that work with you
• Communicate in English at a C2 level, both written and orally
• Manage individuals effectively to create a positive team environment in which shared problem solving is encouraged
• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring all deadlines are met
• Manage a wide-ranging workload

Knowledge 

You understand and possess knowledge of…

• Education in emergencies concepts
• The refugee crisis and its impact and trajectory
• The needs of refugee students and can adapt content, programming and best practices to meet these needs
• The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and how to develop syllabi in line with it
• Assessment and evaluation procedures, and how to prepare students for language proficiency test
• Adult refugee projects and opportunities for further learning and employment
• Research on adult learning strategies and pedagogies, especially for illiterate or semi-literate adults
• ESL/EFL lesson planning procedures
• ESL/EFL methodologies, theories and techniques
• Your own personal leadership skills/profile and how to effectively manage a team

We offer

• Accommodation in a shared house.
• Transportation to/from work.
• After completion of a three month trial, if you commit long-term, small monthly expenses refund.

In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the volunteer houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the volunteer houses are full, this would allow us to offer a volunteering opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

NOTE: If you require a visa to stay in Greece for the minimum ten-week commitment, please know that as a Greek NGO, we are unable to sponsor your visa.

As volunteer English language befriender, you will provide one to one befriending support to migrants living in Kent focusing on practising English and building confidence to speak it.

​​You will play an important role in helping our clients integrate into local communities by introducing them to local amenities, historical sites, local customs, local ‘slang’ and life in the UK.

​You will encourage Migrant Help clients to access locally available services and support by completing research together online or locally available media.

​English language befrienders are crucial in complimenting existing Migrant Help services by providing one to one English support to our clients.

​What will you do?

• Provide bi-/weekly one to one befriending support to refugees with focus on practising English
• Led by befriendee, you will identify different ways to practise English and use those methods in your meetings.
• Where needed, you will introduce your befriendee to the area and provide cultural/social orientation (for example, showing what supermarket is most affordable, where they can get fresh fruits and vegetables)
• Visit local amenities and cultural centres with your befriendee
• Be empathetic and patient in sessions
• Provide encouragement to speak English and create a safe environment to make mistakes and build confidence
• Provide ongoing feedback to VC throughout the duration of the project
• Report any safeguarding or confidentiality breach concerns to your volunteer supervisor as soon as possible.

​

What do we expect from you? 

• Complete relevant induction and training provided by Migrant Help
• Undergo a criminal conviction check (DBS, PVG or AccessNI).
• Commit to volunteering for a minimum of 3 months, at agreed times.
• Attend volunteer support sessions as required.
• Complete feedback forms when required highlighting any growth opportunities and honestly communicating what is not working well
• Adhere to confidentiality and safeguarding procedures
• Uphold Migrant Help’s values.
• Start volunteering at an agreed time and be punctual
• Complete all relevant documentation as required by volunteer coordinator
• Be open and understanding of different customs, values, and beliefs

​

​What will you not be able to do?

• Volunteer with us if you are under 18.
• Exchange contact information with clients
• Buy gifts, food or lend or give/receive money to/from clients
• Carry out casework tasks, such as, complete benefits applications, liaise with local authorities or refer to other services or provide immigration advice

​You will be an excellent candidate for this role if you:

• Are fluent in English
• Have spare time to befriend someone bi-/weekly for at least 3 months.
• Are willing to work with diverse range of people
• Have non-judgmental and inclusive attitude
• Have friendly and approachable nature
• Are reliable and punctual
• Can use MS Office, Zoom and MS Teams platforms.
• Are patient and empathetic when listening to others
• Are a keen learner

​

You will benefit from volunteering with us by: 

• Gaining experience useful for your future CVs and cover letters
• Being able to provide a volunteering reference to your future employer or educator
• Being a part of dedicated and inclusive service
• Supporting in the research of various topics to help better support colleagues and clients
• Developing new skills
• Gaining greater awareness of immigration and asylum systems in the UK
• Having reasonable expenses reimbursed
• Having regular check ins to support your volunteering experience and growth

​

About Migrant Help:

Migrant Help is a leading charity that has been established for over 50 years and delivers a range of support and advice services to migrants across the UK. Our vision is for a global society that protects vulnerable migrants, treats them with respect and enables them to reach their full potential. 

We place a high value on employees in relation to the work that they do and the benefits the organisation offers, with an ethos of being a Great Place to Work. 

At Migrant Help, we foster a culture in which equality, diversity and inclusion are recognised, valued and encouraged. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, we match your skills with the needs of our organisation. As long as you share our values, vision and goals. We welcome applications from candidates regardless of their age, religion or belief, race, gender reassignment, disability, sexual orientation, sex, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity.

Migrant Help is committed to safeguarding those we provide a service to, applicants will have to undergo strict vetting procedures throughout different stages of the recruitment process.

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Prison Bike Workshop Volunteer

Do you have a passion for bikes? Could you use your bike maintenance skills to help prisoners turn their lives around?

We’re looking for people with competent bike maintenance skills to volunteer on our Bikes Beyond Bars programme.

About this role

As a volunteer, you’ll work alongside prison-based bike maintenance course participants, helping them refurbish a wide range of donated bikes. Working at our workshops at HMP Bristol or HMP Fosse Way, you’ll help residents to develop cycle maintenance skills and earn a professional Cytech qualification. These new skills will equip them for better job opportunities upon release.

You’ll support our dedicated Prison Bike Mechanic Tutors, providing hands-on assistance in the workshop and making a meaningful impact on the participants’ journey toward rehabilitation. This is a great opportunity for those who enjoy working with people from all walks of life and want to use their bike know-how to help make a real difference in their community.

"Life Cycle helped me massively in prison, keeping me occupied and out of the cell… I contacted Life Cycle when I was released because I wanted to give back something to the people that helped me. I felt respected and treated as a valued member of society, not just an ex-con." – Jon (name changed).

About Life Cycle

Life Cycle is a charity that works with people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds at every stage of their cycling journey, from learning to ride, to building a career in the cycle industry.

In this role, you’ll be working on our Bikes Beyond Bars programme, Life Cycle’s innovative bike recycling project based at HMP Bristol and HMP Fosse Way. Unwanted bicycles are taken to the prisons, where the men learn how to strip down, clean and refit them, giving them a new lease of life.

The bikes are taken to our community Hub in Bristol where they are quality assured ready for sale by Life Cycle’s mechanics and our team of volunteers. Anyone can buy a bike; however, many go to local people on low incomes, enabling them to get a bike and start cycling.  

About you

We’re looking for someone with competent bike maintenance skills, who’s confident working on bike refurbishments with light support from our friendly Prison Workshop Tutors. If you’re unsure, please feel free to give us a call.

Due to the nature of the role, you must have an open, non-judgmental attitude and believe in the possibility of change for those who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system.

Bikes Beyond Bars wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers! So, if you enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and you’re enthusiastic about Life Cycle’s charitable mission, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply: please apply via our ‘Volunteering and Jobs’ page on our website.

We are in the process of establishing our brand new Food Waste hub right at the centre of New Covent Garden Market and we would be delighted for you to get involved! 

City Harvest London rescues nutritious surplus food from farms, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, and delivers it, for free, to over 123,000 a week via organistions feeding those facing food poverty. City Harvest rescues food, people, and the planet by preventing food waste, providing life-changing support to communities across London through food, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from waste.
City Harvest vans equally deliver to food banks, homeless shelters, hostels, soup kitchens, mental health charities, projects supporting the elderly and socially isolated, social pantries, community kitchens, refugee hostels, schools and nurseries, family centres and domestic abuse refuges. 

Now distributing free food for more than 1.2 million meals a month, the need continues to rise as the cost of living tightens its grip. City Harvest has sites in west, east and south London, and a fleet of vehicles that cover the whole of the UK rescuing food.

Our Warehouse Assistants are crucial to keeping the vans rolling and to making sure food is ready to go out to feed London. They are the packers, the stackers, the sorters, and the porters of our operation.

Every volunteering experience with City Harvest will vary, as roles assigned will depend on the time of day and the needs of the day. You could be unloading deliveries, checking and sorting food, creating mixed meal boxes for the homeless, or carrying out other warehouse tasks to help in the day-to-day running of City Harvest.

By volunteering with us for a day, individuals have the chance to make a direct positive impact on thousands of vulnerable people in London. Because of the time our volunteers donate to helping City Harvest, many Londoners facing obstacles such as homelessness, food poverty, and/or domestic abuse will have access to a nutritious meal. Not only this, but there is a significant environmental impact to our work too! The food that we rescue would otherwise go to landfill, where it would release harmful greenhouse gases as it decomposes. Therefore, your days’ work will also make a tremendous difference to both people and the planet!

A lot of our activities in our warehouse can be physically demanding, as we are sorting and packing food for delivery.

Come join our volunteering team to help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Ranked 2023 Q3 by Best Companies as the 6th best charity to work for in the UK, Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading charities in the fight against modern slavery. Our innovative model is based on three principles: Prevent, Protect and Pursue.  We are one of the UK’s largest providers of survivor services, with ten safehouses and six outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year.  We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal  system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators.

We are looking for two individuals to help us with maintenance tasks, in our Manchester safehouses. Tasks will include activities such as installing shelving, putting together flatpack furniture, painting, gardening etc

We are looking for 2 x Volunteer Handypersons to help support us with maintenance of our safehouse.

Tasks will include:

• Lifting, carrying, and transporting items in a safe manner

• General handyperson tasks such as installing shelving, putting together flatpack furniture, painting etc.

• General maintenance tasks

• Sharing knowledge of general maintenance with service users to empower them to do it themselves going forward

• Only complete tasks that are you able or qualified to complete

• Maintain health and safety at all times

• Showing awareness of service users’ varying physical and mental well-being needs

• To provide feedback and safeguarding concerns to the Senior Service Manager - reporting any observations or concerns in a timely manner

• To take part in regular supervision and support

• To regularly attend volunteer or staff meetings

• To attend training as and when required including health and safety, boundaries, safeguarding, manual handling and confidentiality

• To work within agreed professional boundaries at all times

• To provide a safe and non-judgmental environment that promotes the core values and ethos of the Trust, in accordance with the Medaille Trust Policy, Data Protection Act, and Health and Safety Regulations. 

The role would suit someone who is friendly, kind, empathetic and non-judgemental. As well as someone who is physically fit to be able to lift and carry heavy objects. This position is rewarding and will be making an immediate difference in supporting and empowering service users. 

This role requires maturity, and an ability to engage with people in a trauma informed way, while working alongside staff members in line with agreed procedures and systems.

• Volunteers must be at least 18 years old

• Volunteers will need to have a good standard of spoken and written English

• Be computer literate to be able to complete any online training

• Ability to maintain confidentiality is essential

• Volunteers to have knowledge and understanding of human trafficking issues or willingness to learn

• Knowledge of mental health issues and the challenges faced or a willingness to learn

• An understanding of the importance of professional boundaries in the role

For further information and an application form, please see our website