Refugees Volunteer Roles

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:

• Intelligence: You have changed your mind and made someone else change their mind, through rational conversations, at least once in the last two weeks.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. 

Are you interested in volunteering in a role supported, supervise, and guided by experienced Integration Casework Coordinators to assist in providing telephone and/or face to face advice about welfare and housing rights to refugee clients, including assistance with filling forms, liaising with government agencies and council offices, drafting letters, among other assistance to newly granted refugees?

Would a varied role where you could help clients by researching housing options and updating client information on our casework database (and much more) enhance your skills and experiences to achieve your goals whilst making a difference?  Would you like to be a part of a busy team, working with experience Integration Casework Coordinators to provide much needed advice and support to their caseload of clients? Do you live within Greater London and are able to commute to our head office in Stratford, London and can commit to at least 1 day (09:45 – 17:00) or two half days (09:45 – 13:00 or 14:00 – 17:00) volunteering per week on consistent days ideally for a minimum of 6 months in this role?

If yes, then this could be the perfect voluntary role for you within the Refugee Council.

You will be a part of our friendly and supportive Integration Advice team and will receive regular support and supervision from an Integration Casework Coordinator. As part of a comprehensive induction process, you will receive training on working with refugees and people seeking asylum, including an introduction to the asylum process and the legal framework, rights and entitlements, and on how to support people practically whilst volunteering as a Refugee Integration Advice Volunteer. Our bespoke training sessions have been developed and will be facilitate by our team of experienced Integration Casework Coordinators at the Refugee Council head office in Stratford, London, E15 1NS.

The training dates will be:

• Thursday 22nd August, from 10:00 – 17:00, Volunteer induction and Working with Clients part 1
• Wednesday 28th August, from 10:00 – 17:00, Our Private Rented Scheme project and Working with Clients part 2
• Wednesday 4th September, from 10:00 – 17:00, Database Training and IT Systems Training
• Thursday 3rd October, from 14:00 – 17:00, Homelessness Law

You will also receive support and information throughout your role and will have access to organisational training sessions that are accessible to staff and volunteers. We will also reimburse you with lunch and travel expenses, in line with our volunteer expenses policy. Please note that as this volunteering role will be based in the Refugee Council head office in Stratford, London, you must be commute to our postcode E15 1NS.

If this sounds like a great opportunity for you, the team and I would love to hear from you. Please email me your completed application form by 23:59 pm on Sunday 28th July 2024.

Please note, due to GDPR all volunteers must be located within the UK whilst volunteering and any offers of a place will be subject to character references and a basic level DBS check.

We are looking for a group of volunteers for this role and will be holding MS Teams interviews from Wednesday 31st July – Thursday 15th August. This would be a great opportunity for us to virtually meet you and find out more about you and for you to ask as many questions as you have – the more the merrier :) 

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: Friday 16 August 2024
• Interviews with Nominations panel: Week of 9 September 2024
• Nominations panel present recommendation to the board and appointment: Week of 16 September 2024

A full induction will be provided to the incoming Chair.

Trustee - Salusbury World Refugee Centre

Salusbury World is a charity supporting refugees and migrant helping young people and families to realise their rights and potential.

It is looking for trustees who have the passion and commitment drive its strategy. The charity need a range of skills in order to move forward, including significant expertise in Fundraising, Strategy, Finance or Communications.

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;

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and asylum-seekers living in South West London, and helps them to play their full part in the community. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives. 

We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a forced displacement background, providing them the tools they need to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for adults include currently include: ESOL classes; sports; women’s creative writing; women’s coffee morning, and casework. 

About the CARAS Adult Team: 

In the post-pandemic environment, CARAS is responding to the role of digital literacies in our programme delivery to learners of asylum-seeking and refugee background. In contrast to the UK essential Digital skills framework, we have built in language inclusion to create a participatory learning course for Essential Digital Literacies for learners who are new to reading and writing in English. The individuals joining CARAS are highly diverse, with different countries of origin, linguistic and educational backgrounds. We have observed over the last year that many CARAS community members have limited digital skills, particularly in regard to using computers. Community members have highlighted that computers are important for many individuals to achieve their educational and employment goals, whilst increasing confidence and independence. We have co-designed a digital skills program in partnership with CARAS community members to improve computer literacy and skills, focusing on basic computer literacy.

About the Role: 

We are seeking two volunteers based in London to teach our lively computer classes in Tooting every Monday 9:00-11:00. Volunteers will lead the sessions with guidance from the CARAS ESOL Teacher and will work closely with our community members to build their skills and confidence using computers. The Digital Literacies course at CARAS is built around Pre-entry to Entry 2 levels in English. Volunteers will be supporting individuals with tasks such as: getting to know how to use a computer, using the internet, setting up an email address, and using Microsoft office. We intend to fold employability sessions, including CV writing and job searching, into these sessions. 

Volunteer Tasks and responsibilities: 

· Lead on the delivery of sessions with support from CARAS’s Essential Digital Skills Teacher. 

· Assist with the logistical set up of the sessions, supporting CARAS staff where needed. 

· Work collaboratively as a team and assisting to shape the project. 

· Create class registers and records as required. 

· To attend and contribute to volunteer pre- and de-briefs at each session. 

· To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering. 

· Support people to develop their knowledge and skills and encourage and inspire participants to reach their full potential. 

· To assist participants to both, recognise and celebrate their achievements. 

· To challenge negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manor. 

· Advocate for the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants with not for them. 

· Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant. 

Requirements: 

· To be non-judgemental, and able and willing to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. 

· To be female identifying. 

· Have a good understanding of how to use a computer. 

· To be reliable and punctual. 

· Excellent presentation and communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English. 

· Commitment to support people seeking asylum to take control of their asylum journey. 

· Ability to volunteer every Friday for a minimum of three months. 

· Current resident in the UK. 

· Ability to work in Tooting SW17. 

· To provide five years’ worth of addresses and be willing to undergo a DBS check. 

· To attend CARAS General and Safeguarding Training sessions. 

· To be 18 years or older. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

· Meet new members of your local community 

· Learn about different cultures 

· 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: 

To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form from the CARAS website using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.

Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS staff team. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 

Bath Welcomes Refugees (BWR) is seeking a Volunteer who will sit on the Management Committee and be the overall Coordinator of the social events we run and social activity opportunities we are offered.

Who we are:

BWR harnesses the goodwill of the community in welcoming and supporting refugees and asylum seekers to thrive in their new community.  BWR is a small inclusive charity. Volunteer-led and non-partisan, we help refugee families out of desperate circumstances and into a promising future. Our volunteers provide hands-on support with English-language teaching, resettlement support, helping with our creche and at social events. We also have volunteers who help with employability, DIY, gardening, fundraising and more.

Expectations for this volunteer role include:

• Coordinate one of the regular monthly social groups we run.

• Maintain an overview of the other social groups and support volunteers running these.

• Respond to occasional ad-hoc offers and opportunities  regarding social, sporting and leisure activities (e.g. from theatres, universities, football clubs), coordinating activities as appropriate and depending on priority and capacity  within BWR.

• Liaison with other organisations and facilities, to support both specific BWR activities and to further social integration of our clients in community activities.

• Maintain recording systems regarding social activities.

• Be a member of the BWR Management Committee.

Your skills and experience:

• Understanding of refugee issues

• Sensitivity to other cultures

• Experience of coordinating team work and working within a team

• First aid training desirable

• Car driver/owner desirable

Time commitment:.

• Attending monthly BWR Management Committee meetings (evenings, approx 2 hours)

• Coordinating and attending monthly social group (approx 5 hours, including coordinating volunteers, setting up and clearing away)

• Wider Management Committee and BWR issues, mostly via email (variable)

• Responding to ad-hoc offers (variable)

Benefits:

• Induction Training Day and further training opportunities (e.g. first aid)

• Volunteer social events - summer picnic, volunteer walk

• BWR Newsletter

• Support in your role

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 

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;

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:  

• Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting.  

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.   

• Assisting with filling out forms 

• Signposting and referring onto other services and organisations.  

• Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner.  

• Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations and grants.  

• Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required.  

• Keeping accurate casenotes 

• Supporting to maintain our signposting database 

• Researching and collating resources 

• Working collaboratively as a team and assisting to shape the Adult Casework project.  

• Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements:

Essential

• Experience of doing 1:1 advice work/casework.

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.   

• Confidence in using IT (Microsft office, outlook, zoom, Google search, online forms)  

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

• A commitment to confidentiality and data protection 

• Thorough with good attention to detail 

• Reliable 

• A high level of spoken and written English 

• Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way  

• A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach 

• Enjoyment in speaking to new people 

• A commitment to working in an empowering way 

• Able to maintain boundaries 

• Able to work autonomously 

• Currently resident in the UK 

Desirable 

• Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights and entitlements for people seeking asylum 

• Experience of working with interpreters 

• Direct experience of the UK immigration system.  

• Past experience of working with people seeking asylum 

• 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:

• 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 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. 

About CARAS: 

CARAS is a leading refugee charity in Southwest London, providing firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges and to help them rebuild their lives.  

We provide person-centred educational, social and casework support to over 600 young people and adults across South London each year, recognising the moment of arrival as one of opportunity. Our work provides individuals with essential support to build language and employability skills, develop social networks and friendships, and access essential services such as legal and mental health services. Our work has a multi-generational impact, providing forced migrants with early interventions to support language and skill acquisition, and tackling the root causes of socio-economic marginalisation by supporting social inclusion and future labour market access.

Volunteering with CARAS - our Community of Welcome:

CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles.  Community members tell us that welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and valued. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution that volunteers bring. 

About the CARAS Adult Programme: 

Alongside educational and casework support, CARAS has a thriving social Programme of weekly activities, from women’s yoga to creative coffee afternoons, sports sessions and workshops, designed and built in collaboration with our community, volunteers and local partners. Most people we work with in the adult team are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, and are accommodated in cramped and inadequate hotels contracted by the Home Office for up to – and sometimes more than – 2 years whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim. During this time, they are eligible for only £8.86 per week and are prohibited from working. This is an incredibly stressful and disempowering period for those seeking asylum. Against this backdrop, our social activities exist as spaces of welcome, for people to come and make meaningful connections, build confidence and importantly - have fun! 

Connecting community members to volunteering: 

Whilst many of our community members are prohibited from working whilst waiting for a decision on their claim, they can volunteer. However, there are many linguistic, cultural and practical barriers to being able to actually access volunteering opportunities. We work with our community members to try to find interesting and high-quality volunteering roles that are accessible and fulfilling. We know from experience that connecting our community members to volunteering can have a huge positive impact on their well-being, confidence, and preparedness for future careers and education in the UK. However, as a small team, we do not have the capacity we need to be able to provide more personal, tailored support to respond to the huge range of skills, interests and experience. This is where you come in! 

Volunteering connector role: 

As the volunteering connector, you will work 1-2-1 with CARAS community members to understand what roles people are interested in and will liaise with suitable providers and partners to connect them to these roles. Part of your role will also be to explain to community members what volunteering means, including the boundaries and expectations of volunteering, as well as what rights volunteers have in the UK. This is important to ensure the volunteering placements are valuable for both community members and the organisations they volunteer with.

We are looking for someone who is warm, compassionate, proactive and efficient. You will be good at building trusting relationships quickly and taking the initiative to make connections across the local area to find suitable opportunities. You will take a person-centred approach that places focus on our community members’ existing skills, priorities and goals to make decisions together about the best course of action. 

We are looking for volunteers who can commit to 3 hours per week and can come to our Tooting-based office. Wednesday afternoon is our preference but we are open to being flexible with timetabling for the right candidate.

Tasks and responsibilities:

To work with CARAS community members to understand their interests, experience and goals relating to volunteering; 

To support our CMs with their applications to these organisations and ensure smooth referral pathways; 

To work together with external providers to find suitable and accessible volunteer roles;

To research possible new volunteering organisations that are willing and appropriate; 

To support community members to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality Policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant; 

To keep CARAS database records up to date to support the adult team, as well as for monitoring and evaluation

Requirements - Essential: 

To be 18 years or older; 

Current resident of the UK;

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

To be reliable and punctual;

To have an interest in building and strengthening community in London; 

Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English; 

To be able to dedicate 3 hours a week to CARAS’ volunteering connections for minimum 3 months; 

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

Able to complete compulsory volunteer induction training (online) in general and safeguarding prior to the start of the role. 
Please note that 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 12pm – 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.

Requirements - Desirable: 

Knowledge of community languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali and Spanish 

Experience working with people who are seeking asylum in the UK; 

Personal experience of volunteering in any sector or organisation that can inform this role 

Through volunteering with us you will:  

Meet and meaningfully support new members of your local community; 

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;  

Be able to request a reference after 3 months regular volunteering 

‘Salaam’ Youth club Volunteer

Young Roots aims to improve the well-being and life chances of young refugees and asylum seekers. We work directly with young refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

We are looking for volunteers to join our weekly youth club in Kings Cross. The youth club is a space where 18-25-year-old refugees and asylum seekers in initial/hotel accommodation come to hang out, do workshops and activities, and seek support with issues in their lives. It runs in Kings Cross every Thursday from 12.00 – 3.00 pm. (As a volunteer you would be required to attend the whole session, at least two times per month.

In this role, you will:

1. Provide a safe and welcoming environment for young asylum seekers and refugees

2. Help at the reception table with registration and finding out what kind of support the young people need (casework, mental health, immigration, social activities).

3. Help the Youth Welfare Manager and Youth Welfare Officer to set up and run games and other activities at the youth club such as table drama, skills workshops, board games, group discussions, and feedback sessions.

4. Run a table where young people can practice English informally, do art or other activities such as interview and finance skills and CV writing etc.

5. Assist the project staff to effectively deliver, monitor and evaluate the project.

6. Respect confidentiality and contribute to debriefs after the session.

7. If interested, to help on occasional trips locally and in central London (weekdays and/ or Saturdays).

8. Attend two (2) sessions per month.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

Essential

· Enthusiasm and commitment to supporting young refugees and asylum seekers and to take part in activities

· Willingness to take part in safeguarding training (online)

· Experience working or volunteering with young people

· Understanding and commitment to youth participation principles, as outlined in the attached document

· Good communication skills

· Good teamwork and interpersonal skills

· A flexible approach

· Some understanding of the challenges faced by refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in the UK

· Be able to commit for at least 6 months

· Be interested in youthwork and young people participation in decision making

Desirable

· Ability to speak the following language(s): Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Vietnamese

· Experience of working or volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers or direct experience of the asylum system in the UK.

TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for this position, please email your CV and a cover letter.

Interviews will take place online.

Young Roots is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Successful applicants will be required to undertake a criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. A criminal record will not automatically prevent you from being considered for this role.

Young Roots recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. As an organisation that supports refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, we particularly welcome applications from those within these communities.

BRR is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic people to join our Board of Trustees.

We are especially welcoming applications from people who can bring any of the following skills/experience to the Board of Trustees:

• Lived experience of seeking asylum or forced migration
• Health and Safety /Safeguarding
• Finance Management
• HR/ Personnel / Employment Law
• Experience of charity governance

If you don’t have these specific skills but would like to talk about how your skills are transferable, please still get in touch with us to discuss further.

You will gain valuable experience in the charity sector and have an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol.  You will be providing strategic support to a committed group of staff and volunteers and be part of a leading organisation making positive change.  Applicants should be committed to trying to improve the situation for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.  It would also be useful if you had experience of working for a charity or being on a charity Board of Trustees.

Please visit our website for full details of how to apply, information about the role and contact details 

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!

About CARAS:

CARAS is a leading refugee charity in Southwest London, providing firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives.

We provide person-centred educational, social and casework support to over 600 young people and adults across South London each year, recognising the moment of arrival as one of opportunity. Our work provides individuals with essential support to build language and employability skills, develop social networks and friendships, and access essential services such as legal and mental health services. Our work has multi-generational impact, providing forced migrants with early interventions to support language and skill acquisition, tackling the root causes of socio-economic marginalisation by supporting social inclusion and future labour market access.

Volunteering with CARAS – our Community of Welcome:

CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles. Community members tell us the welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution that volunteers bring.

About CARAS Adult Programme:

Alongside educational and casework support, CARAS has a thriving social program of weekly activities, from women’s yoga, to creative coffee afternoons, sports sessions and workshops, designed and built in collaboration with our community, volunteers and local partners. Most people we work with in the adult team are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, are accommodated in cramped and inadequate hotels contracted by the Home Office for up to – and sometimes more than – 2 years whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim. During this time, they are eligible for only £8.86 per week and are prohibited from working. This is an incredibly stressful and disempowering period for those seeking asylum. Against this backdrop, our social activities exist as spaces of welcome, for people to come and make meaningful connections, build confidence and importantly – have fun!

About the Trips and Holiday Activities Project:

Alongside our weekly timetable of term time activities, we run trips across London during the school holidays. These are always chosen and planned together with our community members, and so far have included trips to famous parks, museums, galleries, and the theatre. We know from our community members how important these trips are; they are a chance to explore parts of the city that would otherwise be inaccessible, and to feel more at home in the city. As one community member told us, ‘to discover new places…this makes us feel included’. They are an opportunity to learn something new with others, to meet new people, relax and have fun.

About the Role:

To support us with these trips and holiday activities, we are looking for friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic and proactive volunteers. You will support us practically to ensure the trips run smoothly and on time, but also will be an essential part of our community of welcome – to chat and get to know our community members, and make sure everyone feels included and is having a good time.

We intend to hold 2 trips in the Easter holidays, and up to 5 trips in the summer holidays. These will all be in locations across London, most likely during daytime hours. We will also run a combination of adult-only and child-friendly trips across the year – this is what our community have told us they want! We usually have a group of 10-20 community members and will always have at least one CARAS staff member present too.

Ideally, we are looking for volunteers who are flexible during school holidays and can attend at least 3 trips throughout the year, though we may consider those who might only be able to volunteer on a one-off basis.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

To attend CARAS trips as and when you are available to do so.

To support with the logistics of travelling to and from the trip location.

To keep an eye on the general health and wellbeing of our Community Members and report any concerns to the CARAS staff member present.

To encourage positive connections between people and the places we are visiting, opening up conversations to learn about each other.

On family-friendly trips, to assist where needed with the supervision of children present (alongside parents)

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;

To be welcoming, friendly part of the group, and to make sure our community members have the best and most fruitful time possible at the locations we visit.

Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;

Current resident of the UK;

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

Able to complete compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding via 2 self-paced induction training webinars prior to the start of role;

Requirements – Desirable:

Knowledge of community languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali and Spanish.

Through volunteering with us you will gain:

An opportunity to connect with and learn from a vibrant and diverse community of people who are new to the city;

A chance to share your knowledge of the city and places of interest with our community;

A deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of those seeking asylum here;

A deeper understanding of language-inclusive practices in multi-lingual groups;

Develop your skills and competencies;