Refugees Volunteer Roles

We exist for young people with refugee backgrounds to build community, become leaders and flourish in the place they call home. As we embark on an ambitious 3-year strategy, we’re looking for passionate and skilled trustees to join our Board and help shape the next chapter of our journey.

With residential trips, leadership training, youth hubs, and one-to-one support, we are creating a peer-led social movement, and have welcomed over 500 young people from 47 different countries on our programmes since 2018. This is an exciting and pivotal moment for Our Second Home, as we aim to become the fastest-growing youth charity in the refugee sector – one that places inclusion, empowerment, and impact at the heart of everything that we do.

What you gain – being a trustee is an opportunity to:

• Help shape the future of a growing, impactful organisation.
• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of young refugees and asylum seekers.
• Develop new skills and gain experience in charity governance.
• Join a collaborative and inspiring team of trustees, staff, and volunteers.

We are particularly looking for these backgrounds

• Fundraising, including statutory and corporate funding
• Youth leadership development
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
• An interest in stepping up to chair the Board of Trustees

THE ROLE

Leadership and Governance:

• Provide strategic guidance and leadership to Our Second Home. Support the leadership team, particularly the CEO, by offering expertise and insight.
• Play your part in fostering an inclusive and values-driven culture, champion diversity and inclusivity in board composition and decision-making.
• Oversee the mitigation of risks that could affect the charity's operations, reputation, or financial stability.

Strategy and Planning:

• Contribute to the development and execution of the charity's strategic plan.
• Align the board's vision with long-term sustainability and impact.
• Monitor progress towards strategic goals and adapt strategies as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement & Fundraising:

• Act as a passionate advocate for OSH, representing our mission and values to external stakeholders.
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with partners, donors, and the wider community.
• Leverage your network to advance the charity's interests and fundraising efforts.

Governance and Compliance:

• Ensure OSH complies with its governing documents, charity law, and relevant regulations.
• Uphold OSH’s safeguarding policies and ensure the safety and welfare of all participants.
• Ensure OSH remains financially sustainable by overseeing budgets and financial planning.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and accountability.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Attend and actively participate in quarterly trustee meetings, and attend OSH activities and events to familiarise with OSH activities and leaders.
• Work collaboratively with other trustees and the staff team to achieve OSH’s goals.

ABOUT YOU

• A commitment to OSH’s mission, values, and safeguarding principles.
• Proven leadership experience.
• Commitment to the Nolan Principles of good governance: honesty, integrity, objectivity, accountability, selflessness, openness and leadership
• An understanding of governance principles and best practices.
• Being an approachable and proactive communicator.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member and leader.
• A willingness to act as an advocate for OSH.
• Ability to allocate the necessary time and dedication to fulfil the role's responsibilities, include preparing for and attending trustee meetings and events.

Our Second Home is an equal opportunity organisation, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, particularly those who have lived experience of the asylum system.

Could You Help a Young Refugee Find Their Path?

Are you passionate about supporting young refugees and asylum seekers as they begin their journey into the UK workforce? Become a Volunteer Mentor with Breadwinners!

What Does a Volunteer Mentor Do?

As a volunteer mentor, you'll be paired with a young person in one of our two core programmes:

• Risers Programme (2 months): For young asylum seekers aged 16-24 who are awaiting refugee status.
• Breadwinners Programme (6 months): For refugees with the right to work in the UK, helping them gain vital skills and experience.

Most mentors will work with our Risers, as this program is more fast-paced, but opportunities exist to mentor our Breadwinners too.

Your role? Help your mentee gain hands-on work experience at one of our weekend market stalls and lead weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions. These sessions are designed to develop employability skills, explore future goals, and foster social connections. Many of our mentors build lasting relationships with their mentees even after the program ends.

Time Commitment:

• Market Shifts: 2 hours per weekend (Saturday or Sunday).
• 1:1 Mentoring: 1 hour per week, in person or online, to support career development.
• Ongoing Support: Stay in touch via text or calls during the week to help with logistics and provide encouragement.

What Our Graduates Say:

“Having a mentor helped me feel more confident. I could ask questions, felt motivated, and learned new things. It was nice to have conversations about my future and how to succeed.”
— Sura, Risers Graduate

Who Are We Looking For?

You don’t need special qualifications to be a mentor—just a good understanding of working in the UK, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping young people succeed. If you’re ready to make a real difference and become part of a fun, supportive community, this role is for you!

Feeling Inspired?
Apply today and join us in helping young refugees build brighter futures!

We recruit every January, April, July, October. 

Charity who play a vital role in the south-west by supporting asylum seekers and refugees are seeking a Treasurer to join their Board

What will you be doing?

The Treasurer is a key member of the Board of Trustees, responsible for overseeing the financial management and sustainability of the charity. The Treasurer will ensure that DCRS operates within the legal and regulatory financial frameworks, maintains accurate financial records, and manages the charity's finances to support its mission effectively. 

Estimate of time needed: 0-5 hours / month or 1-3 hours / week

What are we looking for?

Qualifications and Experience:

• Ideally, a professional qualification in finance, accounting, or related field (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
• Experience in financial management and oversight, preferably in the charity or non-profit sector.
• Understanding of the regulatory environment for UK charities.
• Experience in budgeting, financial planning, and risk management.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial colleagues.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to the values and mission of DCRS.
• Integrity, objectivity, and a commitment to ethical practice.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Resilience and adaptability in a changing environment

What difference will you make?

• Opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of asylum seekers and refugees.
• Develop and utilize your financial skills in a meaningful context.
• Work with a passionate and dedicated team.
• Networking opportunities within the charity and non-profit sector.

Before you apply

The TrusteeWorks Team at Reach Volunteering are supporting Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support with their Trustee recruitment. Applications should be made via TrusteeWorks in the first instance.

To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and your suitability for the role. Please send applications via the Reach platform.

The closing date for applications is Friday 31 January 2025.

DCRS is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

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 CARAS ESOL Team:

Our award-winning ESOL project offers 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 face-to-face adult ESOL classes in Tooting. Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session every Wednesday during these times: 

• Pre-entry ESOL 09:15 to 11:15

• Entry 1 ESOL 11: 15 to 13:15

• Entry 2 ESOL 13:45 to 15:45 

• One-to-one employability and language learning support on Wednesdays 16:00 to 18:00 

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes; 

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• 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 project; 

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential; 

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements; 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential: 

• To be 18 years or older; 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel expenses can be reimbursed); 

• An interest in education and English language teaching; 

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds; 

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English; 

• The ability to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months; 

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• *Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; 

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role. 

 *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK. 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• 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 obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

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.

Largest refugee support organisation in the South West are seeking a Trustee with experience in immigration and asylum law.

What will you be doing?

Trustees ensure that we have a clear strategy, and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Our trustees are extremely important part of our governance and play an integral role in the development of DCRS.

As we have recently opened a Legal Aid section and with all the national legal changes, we are particularly interested in recruiting a Trustee with experience in immigration and asylum law.

Estimate of time needed: 0-5 hours / month or 1-3 hours / week

What are we looking for?

Skills and Experience:

• Legal experience in immigration and asylum law.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to the values and mission of DCRS.
• Integrity, objectivity, and a commitment to ethical practice.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Resilience and adaptability in a changing environment.

What difference will you make?

• Opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of asylum seekers and refugees.
• Develop and utilize your skills in a meaningful context.
• Work with a passionate and dedicated team.
• Networking opportunities within the charity and non-profit sector.

Before you apply

The TrusteeWorks Team at Reach Volunteering are supporting Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support with their Trustee recruitment. Applications should be made via TrusteeWorks in the first instance.

To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and your suitability for the role via the Reach Platform.

The closing date for applications is Friday 31 January 2025.

DCRS is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE) 

CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings  

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 ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

• CARAS is looking for Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.
• The reading group is in Tooting and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education.
• Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.
• The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.
• The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.
• Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.
• Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates. 

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions; 

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources; 

• Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;  

• 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 project; 

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential; 

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements; 

• Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom; 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential

• To be 18 years or older; 

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• * Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.  

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed); 

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds; 

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English; 

• An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry 

• The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months; 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish; 

• Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• 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 such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering. 

Are you interested in becoming a voluntary Trustee? 

We are looking for experienced and committed individuals to play a valuable role in the governance and development of our South West London charity, which is dedicated to working with people of refugee backgrounds to provide practical, educational, and social help. 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) creates supportive relationships, networks, and spaces that enable people to access what they need in order to improve their wellbeing and safety. Our team of staff and volunteers run a large range of activities and services which offer a place of welcome to refugees and asylum seekers, working with them to recognise skills and develop potential. 

CARAS has become one of the largest providers of refugee support in south London, including working with large numbers of unaccompanied and separated children. We have responded to changes in demographics and are proud of our ability to remain agile. 

We are looking for up to three voluntary trustees with relevant skills/experience to strengthen our small and dedicated Board, and to take an active role in decision making and developing the strategic direction of CARAS.

About You

We are looking for people that can bring a range of experiences, independence of thought and judgement, a strong belief in the ethos and values of the charity, and have time to commit. Previous experience as a trustee is desirable but not necessary; we will provide a full induction. Our current trustees have skills and experience covering lived experience of the asylum system, risk, communications, and finance. To support the ongoing goals of CARAS, applicants with any of the following skills would be especially useful:

• Finance

• Strategy 

• Legal and governance

• Fundraising, particularly contracting with local authorities 

We encourage applications from people who have been through the UK asylum or immigration system, people of colour, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people.

Time commitment: Four meetings per year (in the evenings), one away day per year (usually at the weekend), and occasional attendance (2-4 sessions a year) at core programmes (this can be arranged either during the day, in the evenings, or weekends). Trustees can also join subcommittees, including finance and risk. Quarterly meetings alternate between in-person at our Tooting office and remote, whereas subcommittee meetings are all remote. 

Closing date: We will assess and respond to applications as they are received.

Transport Support Volunteer

Watford and Three Refugees Partnership is a charity offering practical and emotional support to asylum seekers and refugees in the West Hertfordshire area.

Would you like to join a team within our charity that provides more practical support to our clients;

Some examples of support includes;

· Helping with house moves

· Collecting furniture that is being donated

· Lifts to attend appointments

· Support to get children to sports events (this may include dropping off, waiting with or collecting and taking home after). You will at times be responsible for a child without a parent or guardian.

You must have access to your own vehicle. You will work as part of a team and only need to commit to what you are comfortable doing.

If you are interested then please contact us and we can arrange an informal chat with Transport Co-ordinator in the first instance. To join us you will need to complete an application process which includes obtaining two references and an enhanced DBS check. Applicants must live in or within reasonable distance to Watford.

We are looking for a treasurer to join Screen Share’s Board of Trustees. 

We are looking for someone with experience in a charity finance, treasurer or finance director role.

Principal Tasks:

• Regularly supporting and co-facilitating the reporting of financial information at Board meetings, overseeing the production of budgets, forecasts, funding applications and annual statutory accounts.
• Provision of specialist knowledge and experience to key staff – specifically the Founder and Chief Executive Office – in the role of financial advisor on activities including but not limited to pensions, payroll, financial software and provisioning our financial processes
• Support the development of Screen Share’s social enterprise arm and provide strategic and commercial advice relating thereto.
• Ensure that the Board operates effectively in support of the charity’s mission and values. Ensure a high performing and effective Board by committing to regularly appraising its performance. Maintain high standards of governance and risk management.
• Ensure that the Board is as diverse as possible and provide the range of knowledge, skills and experience necessary to deliver the charity’s aims.
• Act as an Ambassador for the organisation through - but not limited to - attendance at relevant project and sector events to advocate the work of the Charity and to represent its interests in a variety of situations.

We particulalry welcome applications from those with experience of forced migration. 

Time Commitment

• Board meetings last 3 hours and are held quarterly, with two held in-person in London.
• Sub-Committee meetings are typically held online
• The Treasurer role is expected to provide additional time compared to other Trustees, likely compromising a total of 25 days across a calendar year.

All candidates should:

• Show commitment to Screen Share’s values and be able to uphold them personally
• Share the energy and drive of the organisation and be committed to their role
• Have a demonstrable passion for supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK

The Charity’s Commitment to Board Members

• Dates and times of Board meetings, Sub-Committee meetings, Board Strategy Day, and the Annual Review will be confirmed at the last board meeting of the preceding year
• Board meeting / Sub-Committee agendas and papers will be distributed at least five working days in advance of meetings

Our Community and Integration work includes a range of classes and groups focused on providing development opportunities for our clients as well as supporting their improved integration into the community. It is a creative outlet, a community, and an opportunity for clients to learn new skills. We have recently partnered with Arsenal FC to run a weekly football group. We recognise that for many of our clients, football can help to improve physical wellbeing, as well as alleviating stress and anxiety, and fostering a sense of community. We are looking for a volunteer to attend these weekly football sessions with our clients. You will be there to support and encourage the group, to help them integrate with the other players, and to provide 1:1 support to clients when needed. You will also be responsible for receiving referrals to this group from therapists at the Helen Bamber Foundation, and inviting clients to the sessions.

Main tasks and activities

• Receiving referrals from various teams at the Helen Bamber Foundation and checking the suitability of each referral

• Communicating with clients over the phone to invite them to football sessions

• Using trauma-informed facilitation methods to create a safe and trusting environment;

• Maintaining contact with the Community and Integration Manager and raising any issues or concerns relating to client safety and wellbeing

• Coordinating the clients and taking the register on a weekly basis;

• Reimbursing client travel expenses using our petty cash system

• Communicating with the Arsenal coaches to ensure all sessions are safe, accessible and inclusive

Skills and experience needed

• Understanding of, and commitment to, the objectives of the Helen Bamber Foundation;

• A demonstrable empathy for our vulnerable clients, including asylum seekers, refugees and survivors of torture and trafficking;

• An interest in football

• Experience working/volunteering with people who struggle with their mental health

• Understanding of working in a Trauma Informed way (desirable)

• Some experience working/volunteering as a sporting coach or mentor (desirable)

• Awareness of confidentiality and the importance of protecting our clients’ privacy;

• Punctual, reliable and self-motivated with a positive, ’can-do’ attitude;

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

This is a client-facing role and prospective applicants will need to be able to travel to our offices / a community space for football in London for face-to-face work. Travel expenses to and from our offices will be reimbursed.

What you will get out of the role

• A strong understanding of how HBF’s integration programmes contribute to the wellbeing of our clients;

• The opportunity to be part of developing a new and exciting group space for our clients

• An appreciation of the processes and systems that asylum seekers and refugees deal with in the UK;

• Increased experience and confidence in coordinating group activities

• Increased experience in supporting people with mental health problems

• An ability to multi-task between competing priorities.

We are looking for volunteers to help in our Social Hub, which provides activities and a welcoming space for refugees and asylum seekers. The commitment is for 3 hours a week on a Tuesday morning - 11am to 2pm.

You will be ideal for the role if you enjoy talking to people from a variety of countries and making them feel welcome. Also, if you’re happy to be flexible and fill in where needed.

We have a variety of games and activities, like chess, board games, table tennis and table football and would really value having a volunteer who enjoys playing games and encouraging people to join in.

We are a friendly charity and support a wonderful community of 150 families and individuals.

You will need to go through a DBS check, provide the details for references and be contactable via WhatsApp once you join us.

Job summary:  The role involves serving on the committee of WTRRP, supporting the Committee and its Chair in the overall management of the charity.

WTRRP is a registered charity (England, reg no 1162226) that exists to support people in the Watford Borough and Three Rivers District of West Hertfordshire, who do not yet have status in the UK, or who have specific needs related to their application process or welfare. Currently WTRRP has around 160 live cases (defined as a family unit or individual currently in need of our help).

WTRRP is run by a Committee, which includes several Trustees. The Committee meets typically every 2 months and also for an Annual General Meeting, but it also provides day-to-day support to our staff members (Casework Coordinator and part-time Office Manager) and to our ~80 volunteers.

The main roles of the charity are to run a drop-in session every Tuesday (at St Mary’s Church in central Watford), a social hub at the same time, and to provide financial and other assistance to its clients for their application process for leave to remain in the UK.

Principal responsibilities:

• Be part of the committee, supporting the organisation as it grows and develops.

• Support the Chair in meetings, including running occasional meetings where the Chair cannot be present

• Attend the Tuesday hub / drop-in to support both activities as required.

• Listen, encourage and empower our staff and volunteers to provide support to our clients and adapt our services according to our client needs.

• Support WTRRP’s other activities where appropriate: these include parties and sports events for our clients’ children.

• Be aware and report any safeguarding concerns immediately to WTRRP Safeguarding Lead and/or a member of the Committee.

• Represent WTRRP and work constructively as part of a WTRRP team.

Desirable:

• An understanding of immigration matters and keep abreast of safeguarding matters.

• Be able to offer 4-6 hours a week of your time.

• Attend volunteers’ and training meetings.

Skills / experience:

• Experience in management of people, especially volunteers

• Ideally, some knowledge and/or experience of immigration matters

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Have empathy for the plight of refugees and asylum seekers

• Organisational development support as we grow and develop

if interested in this role or would like to talk further about this role for an initial chat  please contact the Chair - Tim Whittaker.

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 5 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!

About Together Now:

At Together Now, we believe every family deserves to live together. Our mission is to reunite refugee families who have been separated due to conflict, persecution, or other hardships. We rely on public donations and volunteer support to provide vital services, including covering travel and documentation costs that make family reunions possible.

Purpose of the Role:

You'll play a key role in helping us to secure funding from grants and trusts, in order to fund our work supporting clients.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Prospect research

• You'll research Trusts and Grant making bodies to identify potential funders
• You'll identify suitable grants and check we meet the criteria to apply

2. Record keeping

• You'll keep up to date records on an excel spreadsheet including prospects, deadlines, successful and unsuccessful applications, and reporting requirements
• You'll keep track of relevant deadlines for particular grants

3. Writing applications :

• You'll work with the director and fundraising consultant to agree priorities for grant applications
• You'll draft grant applications and funding appeals, with support from the fundraising consultant.
  • You'll explain in a way that is clear to funders about the work we do and why it is important
  • You'll tailor grant applications to meet particular funders’ requirements
  • You'll make sure we include all the information the funder has asked for

4. Reporting

• You'll support with writing reports to existing grant funders.

Person Specification:

Skills and Attributes:

• Attention to detail: Able to keep accurate records and check we include the things funders ask for in our applications
• Online research skills: Able to use the internet to research information (for example grant funders websites, charity commission website etc).
• Computer skills: Using Word, Excel, Sharepoint, and Email
• Writing skills: Ability to write persuasively in English.  
• Communication skills: Ability to liaise with staff and volunteers
• Self-Motivation: Capable of managing your workload independently and taking initiative on new ideas.
• Passion for the Cause: A genuine interest in helping Together Now reunite refugee families. Lived experience of seeking asylum or family reunion would be beneficial.

Experience:

• Previous experience with grant applications would be great but is not essential

Benefits to the Volunteer:

• Gain experience of applying for grant and trust funding, including feedback and support from our experienced fundraising consultant
• Flexibility to contribute around your own schedule.
• Work as part of a passionate, dedicated team committed to reuniting refugee families.
• Opportunity to develop valuable skills in grant and trust fundraising

At Together Now, we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and aim to create an inclusive volunteering experience for everyone.