Refugees Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Refugees are people and not victims, and this is a weird job ad not a normal one.
In Second Tree, people have always grown in the team, building skills within the organisation. It was like this when we started as four volunteers, and it is now that we are a team of 20-25 – many having been here for years – managing several projects in refugee camps in Greece and training institutions and organisations in more than 20 countries.
BUT we have been awarded the project that we’ve always dreamed of. In it we have put all our ideas on how to change the humanitarian world and refugee reception systems (yes: a very unambitious project!). So, we thought: we will need more people, with a large array of skills; people who share our objective and ethical commitment and, maybe, feel unhappy with what they are doing now?
We can offer an enormous amount of work (but for something really meaningful) for a very small salary (but the same as the CEO and all of top management).
So, if you are a disillusioned humanitarian, who is looking for a place that really cares; or you work in another sector and want to start helping, this might be for you.
YOU
We are looking for someone who has:
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Intelligence: You have changed your mind and made someone else change their mind, through rational conversations, at least once in the last two weeks.
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Honesty: There is nothing you wouldn't say, except the things you say you wouldn't say. If you mess up, you say so. If someone else messes up, you say so too.
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Engagement: When you read the Wikipedia entry for Aumann's Agreement Theorem you get excited. You don’t want to “be yourself”, and you will try to improve us.
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Ethical drive: You have decided (no matter how recently) that it’s not about what you’re good at or what you like to do, but about what is right to do.
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Sense of humour: You are ruthless. You are find offending and being offended.
US
Second Tree was founded by a group of volunteers working together in one of the worst refugee camps in Europe. Some lived in the camp, some did not. From the beginning, we realised that making such a distinction – even with good intentions – “othered”, victimised, refugees. At the time we didn’t know that this was called community engagement, we just knew that we were building a community.
More than 8 years later. Second Tree has kept the same ethos, and has turned it into a community engagement model, a policy, and a package of training programmes for local authorities, international institutions and civil society organisations.
We still work in the refugee camps in Greece, our root and innovation lab, where we keep learning and develop new ideas. But now we also advocate – through writing, public speaking and advocacy – for a humanitarian world and a reception system that doesn’t see refugees as victims.
Ultimately, spreading this philosophy is what Second Tree has specialised in: having trained international institutions, local public authorities and civil society organisations in more than 20 countries. It is also the basis of the Project we are recruiting for.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The community engagement model that we have developed is called simply “Refugees Are People”, or RAP. Because, too often, in the humanitarian world and in the reception systems in Europe, refugees are not perceived and treated as people, but as victims.
People that you need to protect, because of their vulnerability, or celebrate because of their heroism, or avoid upsetting because of the culture they are trapped into. This depiction is often used by NGOs, activists, academia, and individuals to foster support, highlight injustice and counter anti-refugee sentiment. However, despite being well-intentioned, it undermines and disempowers refugees in a similar way to how the opposite form of “othering” (perceiving refugees as invaders, thieves, etc) do.
At Second Tree, we put significant effort into countering these victimising sentiments. It’s not easy. We all carry biases within us, and committing to this belief requires constant discussion and self-reflection. We don’t assume people’s trauma, heroism or culture, and therefore we don’t patronise, romanticise or stereotype. Instead, we view everyone, refugees and non-refugees alike, with CARE: as Capable, Accountable, Reasonable, in one word, Equal.
It means engaging intellectually, disagreeing, joking with refugees as you would with other people, and holding them to the same standards – not lower, not higher – as anyone else. This, the practising of joint responsibility and the same high expectations for everyone involved, is how Second Tree has managed to build strong communities.
THE PROJECT
We’ve put into this project all of the things we’ve always wanted to do. And now that it has been approved, we have to do those amazing things! It is the continuation, but with a significant expansion in both scope and depth, of a previous project, co-funded by the European Commission. We are leading a consortium of 17 partners, plus 7 associated partners, in 11 countries, 7 municipalities, and 4 academic institutions across a 3-year timeline.
Our community building training will provide the foundation for the creation of integration task forces in 12 territories in Europe, being the instrument through which municipalities gain relationships of trust with migrant communities. A community monitoring system developed for OSCE by a professor in our network will be implemented in the territories as a sustainability tool for the Task Forces.
There’s another component that is very exciting: the Transnational Research. One of the important features of our model is that we develop relationships with people and maintain them even after they leave Greece. We have a huge number of friends and former Second Tree students scattered across many different countries. Each of these people has seen and been able to compare the integration systems of at least two European countries, knowledge that is completely untapped by States and European institutions. 40 of them will be hired as refugee co-researchers, and will be trained by the universities in the project to interview the others. They will then analyse the data, collect that knowledge into a working paper, and present the results of their action research. By the project’s conclusion, this network of 200 refugees will be formalised into a refugee-led association in Brussels, using the findings of their research to drive advocacy and lobbying efforts for policy change at EU level.
See the roles we envisage for the project attached.
We challenge the biases that make us see refugees as “the other”. We change the way society perceives refugees, and refugees perceive society.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The organisation:
With over 34 years’ experience, The Welsh Refugee Council is trusted by the communities we serve and we are seen as the lead organisation in Wales for sanctuary seekers and refugees. We improve the lives of these individuals through specialised support and by influencing policy and practice. Our work supports sanctuary seekers and refugees at the most critical points in their lives, helping them find stability and start building a new life in Wales.
We help people find a place to stay, work to support themselves, access English classes, legal advice, and community networks. We provide safe spaces for young people to play with our Play Project. Our work aims to help people to feel less isolated, more informed, upskilled, integrated and empower people to speak up on the issues that affect them.
Based in the heart of our communities we deliver specialist support across Wales, from our community hubs in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, and Wrexham.
We partner with a wide range of community, voluntary and statutory sector bodies to increase our impact and ensure our clients can flourish.
The role:
This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Board of an ambitious organisation, dedicated to enhancing the support for refugees and people seeking safety. With healthy governance, a dedicated executive team, committed trustees and a continued passion to support our service users, we have a strong platform from which to operate and effect change in the communities we serve.
We are looking to appoint a Chair to lead and inspire, as well as to act as an ambassador for the organisation. The Chair will bring:
- Prior experience as a charity trustee and solid understanding of good governance practices
- Experience of operating at strategic leadership level
- Skills to influence positive change at a senior level
- Knowledge of refugee and asylum policy in Wales and UK
- Experience of acting as ambassador and raising the profile of an organisation, leading to positive outcomes
We are seeking a Chair who shares our values as well as our passion and commitment to the communities of Wales.
We are actively seeking to bring more diversity of perspectives and experience to our Board and welcome applications from currently underrepresented groups at board level.
Recruitment Timetable
- Closing Date: 10 September 2024
A full induction will be provided to the incoming Chair.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We hold new volunteer inductions at the start of each term, so apply ASAP to be in time to join our September induction.
Action for Refugees in Lewisham works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants in Lewisham. At the Rainbow Club supplementary school we aim to help children between the ages of 4 and 11 to improve their literacy, numeracy and social skills in a friendly and supportive environment. We need your skills and enthusiasm to assist the teacher in the delivery of a literacy and numeracy class and work with other volunteers to develop a programme of recreational activities. The Rainbow Club runs on Saturday mornings during term-time.
Your duties will include:
- Arriving punctually for the 9am briefing by the Rainbow Club Headteacher;
- Working in a team with other volunteers and teachers to deliver literacy, numeracy, arts, sport activities – this includes ensuring children remain engaged throughout the lesson and carry out set tasks as instructed by the teacher;
- Working one-to-one with specific children if and when required;
- Filing classroom work and homework in children’s individual files and keeping all materials and resources tidy and properly stored;
- Liaising with parents as and when required for example distributing leaflets and news about future meetings and events and also assisting with parents' day;
- Following the teacher’s policies on discipline and classroom management;
- Supervising the children during break times;
- Supporting the children during class trips;
- Ensuring classrooms are clean and tidy at the end of each day – this may include being part of a regular team rota;
- Providing feedback and comments to the volunteer coordinator and Rainbow Club manager when required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
About Youth Club:
Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.
Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7B
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for volunteer Football Assistants to support our Football sessions on Mondays, 5.30-7pm in Balham.
Football coaching sessions are led by Fulham FC Kicks programme weekly, supported by CARAS volunteers to offer welcome to young people.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities
· Welcoming young people to the session;
· Helping young people to register for sessions;
· Join in and be role model for young refugees and asylum seekers;
· Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;
· Following FULHAM FC safeguarding policy and CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
· To be 18 years or older;
· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
· To be reliable and punctual;
· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
· The ability to volunteer on Monday evenings for a minimum of four months;
· Currently resident in the UK;
- A love of football, and wanting to encourage others to play.
· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check (residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);
· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role
Desirable
· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
Through volunteering with us you will:
· Meet new members of your local community;
· Learn about different cultures;
· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
- Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering
· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
· Develop your skills and competencies;
· Be able to access relevant training;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and asylum-seekers living in south-west London. We work primarily with people who are newly arrived in the UK, most of whom are living in temporary Home Office accommodation. Arriving as a refugee in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language barriers, accessing services, financial insecurity and ongoing uncertainty are extremely challenging and disempowering. CARAS is here to work collaboratively with community members to support them to build skills, connect meaningfully with their local community, and to build positive futures in the UK.
CARAS offers a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a forced displacement background. For adults this currently includes: ESOL, digital skills and employability sessions; social and recreational activities and casework. All programs are interlinked and work hand-in-hand with one another. For example, community members can practice their spoken English in Coffee Afternoon, and casework issues might be picked up and referred into the team during an ESOL class. We design and develop our programs through consultation and ongoing conversations with our community members. We aim to have a strong volunteer presence across all our programs, fostering connections between asylum seekers and other Londoners!
About CARAS’s Adult Programming and Coffee Afternoon:
CARAS has been providing support to adult refugee women since 2005, promoting skills and confidence development that helps women gain more power in their lives. In the aftermath of COVID, we have been able to expand our adult programmes, responding to the shifting demographics of those seeking asylum in the UK. We now run a range of mixed programmes for all genders, as well as some women-only spaces. Our coffee afternoon is a mixed group.
Our coffee afternoon has been running since May 2022 and is one of our most popular groups. It takes place at TARA Theatre in Earlsfield from 1-2.30PM every Friday. Its primary aim is to reduce isolation amongst those we work with by providing a safe, friendly and welcoming space for people to have fun, learn about themselves and each other, and build connections.
In 2023, we have been running creative sessions during Coffee Afternoon, facilitated by freelance creative practitioners in partnership with TARA Theatre. These range from dance to drama, poetry to puppetry. For sessions without a creative practitioner, we sometimes host workshops on important topics such as healthcare rights or have an open and informal space for games and a chat. There is always coffee and a selection of baked goods!
For more information on TARA Theatre, our partner and host, please visit their website.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- To attend CARAS coffee afternoon’s, every Friday between 1-2.30PM in Earlsfield, South-west London. They take place at TARA Theatre, right opposite Earlsfield Station. Location here- https://maps.app.goo.gl/rXwJiKHRj93YFtLG9 (356 Garratt Ln, London SW18 4ES).
- If there is a week this is not possible, to tell CARAS staff as far in advance as you are able.
- To welcome and connect with community members attending, working to ensure everyone at the group feels included.
- To take part if there is a creative activity happening in that session, and help liaise with CARAS staff and the creative practitioner to ensure the activity runs smoothly.
- To encourage and inspire community members to feel confident and reach their full potential.
- To share conversation, and chat informally with our community members.
- To assist community members to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
- To challenge negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manor.
- To adhere to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
- To have interest in working with refugees and asylum seekers.
- To be non-judgemental, and able and willing to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and differing levels of English.
- To be reliable and punctual.
- To be a current resident in the UK.
- To provide five years’ worth of addresses and be willing to undergo a UK DBS check.
- To attend CARAS General and Safeguarding Training, and any further training as necessary.
- To be 18 years or older.
Through volunteering with us you will:
- Meet new members of your local community
- Learn about different cultures and life experiences from across the world
- Learn about issues relating to refugee and asylum seekers
- Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team
- Develop your skills and competencies
- Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding
To Apply:
Please fill in the volunteer application form and email it to us. Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with the Head of Adult Inclusion and Adult Program Coordinator these meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP!
Details for this role are in the description and not mentioned in the application form but please fill in your details in the Volunteer application form attached and send it back to us
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study group, youth club, swimming lessons and football.
About Youth Club:
Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games. We also work in partnership with a range of organisations to run a rich programme of workshops within our youth club. Some of these have included creative visual arts, drama, music and workshops on rights and entitlements of young asylum seekers. We also cook a hot meal from time to time and offer a range of snacks each week. Our casework team are also on-site to support young people with a range of advice and signposting needs, usually by-appointment.
Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU
About the role:
As a Youth Club volunteer, you would be helping young people to feel welcome, join in with activities and be a great role model.
Youth Club takes place every Wednesday at 6.00-8.30pm. We ask for a commitment of at least 2 sessions per month for a minimum of 6 months.
Tasks and responsibilities:
· To attend and contribute to volunteer de-briefs which occur 15 minutes after each session.
· To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.
· To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.
· To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
· To challenge young peoples’ negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.
· To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
To be 18 years or older;
· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
· To be reliable and punctual;
· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
· The ability to volunteer on Wednesday evenings for a minimum of six months;
· Current resident of the UK;
· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role
Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6pm - 8pm. we offer the same trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12noon - 2pm once every 3 months.
Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite of being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.
Desirable:
· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
Through volunteering with us you will:
· Meet new members of your local community;
· Learn about different cultures;
· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
· Develop your skills and competencies;
· Be able to access relevant training;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Description:
We are seeking volunteers anywhere in the UK to help out with Study Group sessions for young Refugees or young people seeking asylum. We have continued to keep study group online as it enables community members from across and outside of London to get help and support with homework.
The Study Group sessions are delivered weekly on Zoom, every Tuesday from 5.30-6.30 pm.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
The role of a Study Group volunteer can include:
- Providing learners with homework support; preferably 1:1 in Zoom breakout rooms (may be extended to 1 volunteer to 2 young people in busy sessions).
- Promoting other online learning. ie. Reading an extract of an e-book together/ playing games to learn English/ completing a quiz on a topic of interest.
- Providing social and emotional support to young people. Many of the young people that attend will be quite isolated at this time and will therefore benefit from the social element of Study Group.
- Supporting young people with a range of technical issues relating to their laptop/phone/ zoom.
- Staying for debrief after each session to feedback on what you covered with the Young Person in your breakout room. This offers a space to learn and share resources/ ideas for future weeks with other volunteers.
Benefits of volunteering with CARAS:
Study Group Volunteers will have the opportunity to:
- Attend CARAS induction training which covers Safeguarding
- The opportunity to further professional development through attending other free training opportunities CARAS distribute regularly
- A safe and supportive space to improve your mentoring/teaching skills
- Gain first-hand experience of some of the issues young Refugee and Asylum Seeking people face and contribute to making London a better place for them to be
- Receive support and feedback on teaching from the Project Coordinator through supervision meetings
- Obtain a work reference after three months of weekly (or six months of fortnightly) volunteering.
- Be part of the wider CARAS team and join in other activities with volunteers.
All training and Study Group sessions are delivered online, so you won’t need to travel to the CARAS office in London. No prior experience of online teaching is required, but you will need a laptop or desktop PC with a good microphone and internet connection. You will be required to share your screen on your laptop but all basic Zoom functions can be taught upon induction.
About the organisation:
CARAS is a registered charity working with people in south London and beyond who have an asylum or refugee background. Our values are:
- Kindness. CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents and interests.
- Justice. CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all of our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
- Empowerment. CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
- ‘With’ not ‘for’. CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
Requirements:
Essential
- To be 18 years or older;
- To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
- To be reliable and punctual;
- Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
- Currently resident in the UK;
- Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
- Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role
- To be able to attend at least 2 sessions every month
- To have a quiet confidential space from which to participate and to provide your own device and microphone with access to zoom
Desirable
- Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Adult Casework Volunteer - Role description
Role: Adult Casework Volunteer
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Adult caseworker
Location: Tooting office on a Thursday afternoon (2-5.30pm)
Time commitment: 3.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months
About CARAS :
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do
About CARAS casework:
CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support adults to navigate the asylum system, understand their options, access benefits, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues.
Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting for 2 volunteers to join our Adult Casework team.
The purpose of the Adult Casework volunteer role is to support adults with a refugee or asylum seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum support, accessing healthcare and education, access to legal advice and finding activities and opportunities.
You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action.
The Adult Casework team hold a support session at our office in Tooting on Thursday afternoons from 2-5.30pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. These can be related to a range of topics. Currently our biggest areas of work are around housing for people seeking asylum, access to college, nursery/school places for children, referrals to mental health providers, searches and signposting to activities, finding solicitors and supporting people to apply for bus passes and ID cards. Volunteers also support with administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources and creating information guides.
Adult Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
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Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting.
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.
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Assisting with filling out forms
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Signposting and referring onto other services and organisations.
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Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner.
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Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations and grants.
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Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required.
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Keeping accurate casenotes
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Supporting to maintain our signposting database
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Researching and collating resources
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Working collaboratively as a team and assisting to shape the Adult Casework project.
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Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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Experience of doing 1:1 advice work/casework.
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Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.
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Confidence in using IT (Microsft office, outlook, zoom, Google search, online forms)
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
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A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
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Thorough with good attention to detail
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Reliable
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A high level of spoken and written English
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Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
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A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach
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Enjoyment in speaking to new people
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A commitment to working in an empowering way
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Able to maintain boundaries
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Able to work autonomously
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Currently resident in the UK
Desirable
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Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights and entitlements for people seeking asylum
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Experience of working with interpreters
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Direct experience of the UK immigration system.
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Past experience of working with people seeking asylum
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Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu or Vietnamese.
We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process
Benefits to Volunteering:
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies;
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Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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Obtain a reference from us relating to your volunteering
All volunteers must complete a basic DBS check for volunteers working with adults and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form, using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.
Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Adult caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
Successful applicants will undergo training and induction with our team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role: Welcome volunteer
Team: Tooting Hub – CARAS ESOL (Youth/Adult)
Supervised by: Team Project Coordinator
Location: Tooting Hub site
Activity times: Monday or Wednesday
Time commitment: 2 hour shifts on a rolling basis.
We ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 4 months
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting a team of volunteers to join our new Welcome team at Tooting Hub. This is a new role. Welcome volunteers will provide a friendly face to existing community members attending our regular projects. They will also be the important ‘face of CARAS and our welcome at the door’ to people attending projects for the first time, to visitors and to people dropping in unannounced to enquire about CARAS’s service. Volunteers will meet and greet, and ensure all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting. There will be an administrative element to the role (updating registers and emailing enquiries to CARAS staff, for example).
Who will you be?
We work hard to ensure our services feel welcoming and inclusive. It is important that this new team is representative of our diverse local and internal CARAS community. Whether you are new to volunteering with CARAS or are a regular volunteer looking to vary your role or a community member wanting to develop some leadership skills or volunteering experience, this might be the exact project for you.
Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
· Signing up to a shift/s on the Tooting HUB welcome team rota
· Able to be at Tooting Hub in person to complete agreed shifts
· Welcoming staff, volunteers, existing and potential new community members and visitors
· Ensuring all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting
· Ensuring everyone completes the onsite register on arrival to comply with safeguarding, health and safety and fire evacuation policies
· Taking agreed initial intake information for new / drop in visitors wanting to attend a taster activity
· Conducting induction tours of the building and introductions to facilities, key staff, and partners
Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles):
Essential:
· A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach
· Happy and confident to meet new people and put them at their ease
· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English
· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds
· Confidence in using one’s own judgement to follow agreed policy
· Good IT admin skills in using Microsoft office, outlook, Google search, online forms etc
· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
· Punctual and reliable
· To be able to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays for a minimum of four months
Desirable:
· Lived experience of seeking sanctuary and/ or the UK immigration system.
· Personal experience of working with people seeking asylum.
· Proficiency in one or more of the following community languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.
We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.
Benefits to Volunteering:
· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.
· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.
· Develop your skills and competencies.
· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
· Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering
· All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. *
· You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the role:
The Counter-Trafficking team at HBF is a small but very busy team; it works with people who have been trafficked for all forms of exploitation and supports them in their involvement in the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), asylum and criminal justice systems. The Counter-Trafficking programme provides access to vital ongoing contact and safeguarding support for clients to ensure that they are kept safe and that their risks from others are minimised. The team takes a holistic approach which is tailored to the specific needs of clients, who have experienced human trafficking for sexual exploitation, forms of forced labour and/or criminal exploitation, amongst others. As a Counter-Trafficking volunteer, you will be trained to take an active role in the administrative and casework load of the team, and to help to provide pastoral support for our clients. This includes online filing, collating case materials (legal, clinical and other) to provide client chronologies, supporting the process of counter-trafficking assessments and other appointments, meeting remotely and in person with clients and engaging in tasks required to support the team. This is a fast-paced role, vital for the proper functioning of the team. You will be exposed to very traumatic information, but you will have careful, friendly supervision from a positive staff team in all aspects of your work.
Main tasks and activities:
• Entering client data into our CMS database.
• Supporting Counter-Trafficking team staff with organising and booking client appointments.
• Collating legal and other case materials, writing up clients’ chronologies and drafting letters.
• Follow up calls with clients and/or professionals involved in cases.
• Meeting remotely or in person with clients alongside Counter-Trafficking team staff members.
• Taking clear and comprehensive notes at meetings with and about clients.
• Researching and collating key data and information for clients and the staff team.
• Attendance and minute taking at various professionals meetings.
• Administrative tasks as required by the team.
Skills and Experience Needed:
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the objectives of the Helen Bamber Foundation.
• A demonstrable empathy for our clients, including asylum seekers, refugees and survivors of torture and trafficking.
• Awareness of the challenges that our clients may face.
• A high level of understanding of the duty of confidentiality when considering the sensitive information that the Counter-Trafficking team handles.
• A respect for the principles of diversity and human rights.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong time management and prioritisation skills.
• Willingness to learn quickly and ability to adapt in a fast-moving environment.
• Comfortable using Office 365 (in particular Outlook, Word, Excel). Desired:
• Experience of working with asylum seekers, refugees and survivors of trafficking.
• Fast touch-typing and document formatting skills.
• Experience with client management database programs and spreadsheet software.
• Experience organising client documents, producing chronologies and histories.
What you will get out of the role:
• Experience of using trauma-informed methods of working with survivors.
• A better understanding of the legal systems relating to the National Referral Mechanism, the asylum system and refugee procedures in the UK.
• A stronger understanding of law enforcement and the criminal justice system as it relates to survivors of trafficking.
• An understanding of the multi-disciplinary care that survivors of trafficking require, including working with therapy, medical, housing and welfare and advocacy teams.
• Confidence in using interpreters to communicate with clients.
• Stronger and faster administrative skills.
• Ability to process large amounts of data and prioritise or categorise it.
• Experience of writing clear content and reports.
• An ability to multi-task between competing priorities.
We give Survivors of trafficking and torture the strength to move on.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Upbeat Communities achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity, and they also ensure we have a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the leadership team to enable Upbeat Communities to grow and thrive, and through this, empower refugees to thrive.
Through regular meetings, strategy days and written reports provided to the board, trustees are able to set the direction of the organisation, develop its strategic objectives and support and keep the staff team accountable in delivering on these
strategic goals.
Trustee meetings are currently held every 2 months either in person in Derby or online (hybrid). We have an annual strategy away day and trustees are also invited to be part of our sub-committees. Trustees are requested to be available to attend occasional ‘unscheduled’ meetings or engage in email communications which address urgent business as it arises, join working groups when needed and spend time preparing for meetings by reading and considering the papers circulated before meetings.
Benefits of Being a Trustee
We believe being a trustee of Upbeat Communities offers a number of fantastic
benefits:
- Strategic decision-making that positively impacts the lives of over a thousand
- asylum seekers and refugees every year
- Supporting an innovative, talented and passionate staff team as they develop
- our work and explore new services and ways of working
- Being part of a committed and focused trustee team working to see the charity
- grow
- Using your skills, experience and passion to contribute to an effective and wellfunctioning
- board
- Opportunities to learn new skills and experiences to contribute to your own
- personal development
Duties
Any individual acting as a trustee for Upbeat Communities would be required to
carry out the following:
- Promote the vision, mission and values of the charity
- Ensure Upbeat Communities and its representatives function within all legal and
- regulatory requirements applicable, and in line with its constitution, continually
- striving for best practice in governance
- Determine the overall direction and development of Upbeat Communities
- through good governance and clear strategic planning
- Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their
- implementation
- Oversee Upbeat Communities’ financial plans and budgets and monitor and
- evaluate progress
- Review and approve the charity’s financial statements
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively
- Provide support and challenge to Upbeat Communities’ Chief Executive in the
- exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
- Contribute to regular reviews of Upbeat Communities’ own governance.
- Attend Board meetings, and be adequately prepared to contribute to
- discussions.
- Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and
- protect the charity’s interests, avoiding any personal conflict of interests
- Take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be a
- material risk to the charity
- Maintain confidentiality about all aspects of the trustee’s business
Finance Specific Duties
- Lead on the strategic financial management of the charity at board level
- Liaise with our outsourced finance team (including our Finance Director)
- Chair the finance sub-committee (which meets 6 times per year ahead of every
- board meeting)
- Maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and ensure full and
- timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the board
- Support the board of trustees in financial decision making processes
- Review and approve annual budgets
- Advise on banking and investments
- Take an active role in the financial audit process
- Contribute to the financial management of our trading subsidiary (Upbeat
- Enterprises Limited)
Empowering individuals and families to thrive as they rebuild their lives.
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The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership is a great local charity looking for a volunteer to coordinate, support and motivate our other volunteers. We provide practical and emotional support to refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants in our community. We have a pool of around 80 dedicated volunteers helping a caseload of around 150 individuals and families affected by immigration issues at any given time.
As Volunteer Coordinator your responsibilities would include:
- Working with the Office Manager to support prospective volunteers through our application process and organise training for volunteers
- Working with other Coordinators to help new volunteers to settle in to various roles
- Supporting and advising volunteers on issues arising, in consultation with other Coordinators and the Committee
- Building relationships with volunteers, staff, clients and local organisations
- Organising regular volunteer evenings throughout the year to enable volunteers to meet each other and share best practice
We ask for a time commitment of about 10 hours a week and you will need to be based in or near Watford & Three Rivers. We're looking for someone with the following knowledge, skills and experience:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (essential)
- Good organisation skills (essential)
- A good understanding of - and commitment to - equality, diversity and inclusion (essential)
- Experience of coordinating or managing people in previous voluntary or paid roles (essential)
- Knowledge of the issues facing refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants (desirable)
We particularly welcome applications from people from ethnic minority and migrant backgrounds, who are under-represented among our volunteers.
If you would like to join our friendly volunteer team we would love to hear from you!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London, helping them to play their full part in the community. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for adults currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), a creative writing workshop, drama group, yoga and gardening project.
About the CARAS ESOL Team:
COVID has posed unprecedented challenges to refugees and people seeking asylum in London. Many of those we meet have arrived alone in the UK and have been living in contingency accommodation for many months. Our ESOL team offer English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our online Zoom classes on Monday mornings:
Adult ESOL Speaking & Listening at Entry 2+ Level: 11.30am to 1pm (plus a 15-minute debrief)
Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
As a volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant your role is flexible and varied. It will involve supporting the Adult ESOL Teacher in the delivery of online Zoom classes, as well as providing learners with one-to-one or small-group support.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;
Helping learners build confidence in digital literacy;
Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;
Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the lessons;
Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;
Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
An interest in education and English language teaching;
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
To be reliable and punctual;
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
The ability to volunteer on Tuesday mornings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months;
Currently resident in the UK;
Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role
Desirable:
Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
Through volunteering with us you will:
Meet new members of your local community;
Learn about different cultures;
Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
Develop your skills and competencies;
Be able to access relevant training, including ESOL safeguarding training;
Gain experience in teaching and interpreting.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Bristol Refugee Rights are currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers in various roles to help with running of the services and supporting members . This is an amazing opportunity to volunteer with a diverse community organisation.
We have a lot of exciting opportunities across the organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) is looking for enthusiastic volunteer ESOL teachers to support refugees and asylum seekers.
Who we are:
ACAA works to empower and support refugees and asylum seekers by providing vital services that enable successful integration. These include English classes, mentoring, drop-in advice sessions, a legal surgery, employment and education training, counter-extremism workshops and youth and women's engagement services.
Role Summary:
Working as part of a small dynamic ESOL teaching team, responsibility for lesson planning and delivery will be shared between yourself and more experienced teachers. You will have the opportunity to shadow teachers and gain practical teaching experience before leading lessons. This is alongside training sessions for CPD (continued professional development), as you progress in the position you will take on more responsibility and develop your role. Classes meet both in-person and online and all days of the week (except Sunday), meaning you can teach any day that fits your schedule.
Duties will include:
-
Preparing and delivering lessons to students of different ages and abilities
-
Preparing classroom and coursework materials, homework assignments, and
weekly hand-outs
-
Assessing students' class work and assignments
-
Creating an engaging and fun teaching atmosphere
-
Ensuring all our students engage in academic learning despite their ability, to
achieve their highest potential whilst developing personal and employability
skills
-
Setting effective targets to monitor students’ progress
-
Supporting and motivating students to allow them to grow and enhance their
own skills by both achieving qualifications and becoming ready for work
Personal requirements:
-
Previous teaching experience is desirable, but not essential as support is provided
-
ESOL qualification or equivalent experience
-
Excellent verbal communication skills
-
Good listening skills
-
DBS checked or willingness to be
-
Planning and organisational skills
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.