Young Refugee Project Volunteer Volunteer Roles

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 

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. 

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.

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. 

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 volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’ 

This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:

• Monday 9:30 am to 3pm

• Wednesday 12:30 to 6pm

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;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

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

• Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.

• Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;

• 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 and food 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 Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four 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 (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 

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 access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

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

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 with email subject header “Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”. 

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

 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. 

Join Sculpt as a Youth Advisory Board Member!

About us

Sculpt is a UK-based charity providing research, training and work-experience opportunities that empower young people to shape their own futures and those of their communities. As the role of young people in the organisation is crucial, we have an independent Youth Advisory Board (YAB) that evaluates and steers our work. The YAB consists of young people from different backgrounds and experiences who are aware of the problems facing young people today and want to do something positive about them.

About the Youth Advisory Board

Sculpt’s YAB is a group of passionate young people with a keen interest in youth issues who bring their insight and voice to the issues we work on. Their role is to constantly review, monitor, and quality control our work in order to ensure it remains youth–led and effective. 

Members of the YAB support us by:

• Providing a voice, ideas and insight to help ensure our work is relevant to the needs of young people

• Working together to advise and provide insights on social issues from a variety of perspectives

• Applying their life experiences in the development of socially positive causes

• Problem-solving and evaluating existing decision-making to refine ideas and initiatives

• Helping us raise awareness of our work among other young people

What we can offer you:

• Valuable volunteering experience and a chance to work as a collective team to do rewarding work 

• Chance to develop a variety of highly transferable skills, from leadership and decision-making, to conflict management, communication and more

• Opportunity to gain valuable insight into how a charity is run and to engage with a diverse team of professionals, the CEO and board of trustees 

• Learn about a variety of different societally impactful projects

• Opportunity to represent Sculpt at conferences and events  

If you are interested in the problems facing young people, joining Sculpt’s YAB is a great way to gain experience volunteering in an advisory role at an NGO, as well as to influence the work we do. 

Current YAB team: 

We currently have six YAB members. Within this, we have a Chair of the YAB, Vice chair of the YAB, and 4 general members. 

What would I do? 

The YAB meets monthly to discuss Sculpt’s current work and projects, as well as hear about the different opportunities available to Advisory Board members. An agenda is prepared and shared in advance. Meetings are usually held online but we sometimes meet in person. 

As a member of the YAB, you will gain first-hand experience of being part of a youth-led organisation. From providing input into and evaluating our programmes, to designing new campaign and social media ideas, you will have the opportunity to develop your written and communication skills and shape what we do to serve young people. All training offered by Sculpt is open and free to Advisory Board members. Please note that being a YAB member is a volunteer role. 

Travel expenses for in-person meetings are reimbursed, and we make adjustments where needed to remove barriers to participation. This can include providing support/ assistance for online participation or covering the costs of a personal assistant/carer or interpreter/translator if YAB members use one, for example. 

About the open roles

We are currently hiring for YAB General Members. Please read the role description below to determine if it will fit your interests and experiences. However, please do not be discouraged from applying if you have limited prior work experience or knowledge in these areas. We are most interested in finding candidates who are passionate about our work and are eager to learn.

YAB General Member

As a YAB General Member, you will ensure that Sculpt pursues its organisational objectives, provide strategic direction to the organisation’s work, and attend meetings and prepare for them in advance if needed. There will be opportunities to get involved in various areas of our work across fundraising, programme design and evaluation, policies, communications, and social media. 

The Sculpt team will help facilitate the collaboration with the YAB and bring you opportunities to contribute to. At the same time, we are always open to hear your thoughts and advice on how we can continue being effective and responsive. You will be well-supported by us, other YAB members, and the YAB Chair. 

Looking for young people 14-25 years old, with a focus on those 14-18 years old (but young people up to 25 years can apply).

We also want to add that members must be available for an online meeting once a month at either lunchtimes or early evenings. - this is to manage expectations as the younger age people will have less control over their own diaries/timings as it will depend on school, parents, hobbies etc

How to apply

We can’t wait to receive your application and learn more about you! Please make sure to include:

●  A short CV (max. one A4 page)

●  A cover letter explaining your interest in the position – this is more important than having prior experience! (max. one A4 page) 

Upon successful appointment, two character references will be requested. These do not have to be from previous employers. We want to hear from someone who knows you and can speak to your character and abilities.

Sculpt is an inclusive organisation and we embrace diversity because we know that bringing together people with different experiences, perspectives and backgrounds will lead to even greater results for young people. We encourage applications from young people from all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences including those who are LGBTQIA+, Black, Asian or another minority ethnicity, disabled, young carers, refugees, and from low-income backgrounds.

The application deadline is 8th of December 2024.

We look forward to hearing from you!  

About our Health and Wellbeing Project 

Our Health and Wellbeing Project aims to improve the health equity for the Latin American community in South London, overcoming challenges such as cultural and language barriers,  digital literacy, lack of information, etc. and addressing structural inequalities and discrimination.

Through outreach work, one-to-one consultations, webinars and workshops, we support people to access basic services such as GP registration, dental care, medical appointments and mental health support. 

Working in collaboration with other organisations, we promote awareness and share information around health needs that are particularly relevant to the Latin American community, as well as other chronic health conditions identified as prevalent in Lambeth and Southwark.

We also run informative campaigns using our social media channels to produce, translate and disseminate relevant information materials and resources in Spanish and Portuguese.

Taking a wider understanding of health and wellbeing, we consider an essential part of this work to address the multiple and complex needs of our community. Therefore, we support people to access advice and support on housing, employment, welfare and immigration, among others, provided by IRMO and other organisations.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Providing community members with up-to-date, accurate information about health and wellbeing related topics relevant to the community

• Delivering weekly one-to-one support sessions and follow-up on enquiries from service users

• Make phone calls to service providers and partner organisations

• Supporting the development or translation of informative resources in Spanish and Portuguese, such as handouts and how-to guides (depending on the volunteer language skills)

• Participate and organise events and outreach activities and sessions

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with a genuine vocation towards supporting the Latin American migrants and refugees.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Academic background in health . Students in the last years of their studies will be also considered (D)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Spanish (E) 

• Good verbal and written communication skills in English (intermediate level)

• Ability to interact with service users from all backgrounds in a friendly, approachable and supportive way

• Ability to work with service users in a way that promotes their rights and dignity, while being aware of relevant boundaries

• Ability to set own work priorities and take initiative 

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

• Good IT skills, including competence in Google Workspace applications, and Microsoft applications, 

• Understanding of issues facing the Latin American community in the UK

Personal Attributes

• Professional, positive and flexible attitude

• Self-motivated and resourceful

• A welcoming and empathetic approach to work that takes into account people's circumstances and feelings

• Commitment to applying a non-judgemental, non-discriminatory and non-hostile approach when dealing with migrant communities

• Commitment to IRMO's vision, mission and values 

Additional requirements

• Two references from current/previous employers and/or volunteering

• Basic DBS check (completed through IRMO)

• Safeguarding Level 1 certificate (completed through IRMO)

• One-month trial period

Benefits from volunteering at IRMO

• Gaining valuable professional experience and developing transferable skills to support career progression in the UK

• Learning new professional skills in a multicultural, cooperative and inspiring work environment

• Enhancing your CV and receiving work references (after completing three months as a volunteer)

• Receiving regular support and supervision to guide your development

• Accessing training and development opportunities (in-house and external) in areas related to the role

• Getting an involved, deeper understanding of the Latin American community in the UK

• Utilising your experience to help others navigate their challenges and to give back to the community.

About the Role

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

Main tasks and responsibilities

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

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

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

We are looking for someone who is/has:

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

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

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

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

● Good interpersonal and communication skills and attention to detail;

● A caring, sensitive and non-judgemental manner;

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

● Ability to learn quickly and adapt to CRM systems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For this role:

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

Role Description:

You will…

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

Skills:

You are able to. . .

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

Knowledge:

You understand…

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

We offer:

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

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

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

Do you have lived or professional experience in homelessness?

Connection Support are seeking a Trustee that will support us in our vision of being a thought-leader in the prevention of homelessness, mental ill-health, and leading innovative services that prevent crises from happening.

About us

At Connection Support, our team of staff and volunteers work alongside people to overcome life’s challenges.  We do this through our values of empowerment, collaboration, compassion and taking a personalised approach in all aspects of our work.

We believe in a future where people are free from crisis, and effective prevention is the key. But for times when crises do happen, we’ll be there to help every step of the way.

About the role

The trustee will support the board, the CEO and wider senior team with advice, guidance and sharing their experiences specifically related to:

· Making our services as effective as they can be.

· Developing and maintaining relationships.

· Help us bid for homelessness contracts and funding.

· Advising on potential strategies/ideas that support us to grow in the sector.

· Look at ways to engage people to grow our reputation and services in this area.

This is an exciting time to join Connection Support as we start our new three year strategy.

Time commitment

The anticipated time commitment for a Trustee is up to a day a month. Approximately 2-3 hours per month in person, and then 2-3 hours of supporting with projects which can be from home.

Trustee positions are not paid but travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed.

About you.

Our values are extremely important to us, so it is essential that your personal values align with ours, and you are passionate and motivated by the impact you can have by being part of Connection Support. We would also like you to have the following;

• Experience of homelessness. You might have experienced this personally, supported people though volunteering, or professionally.
• Knowledge of the issues impacting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Awareness of homelessness projects and interventions.
• Able to connect with and listen to people.

We strongly encourage people with lived experience to apply. If you are not sure if this role is for you, we can arrange a no obligation chat with a member of the board or the CEO.

Previous experience is not necessary as we provide a full induction. We pair new Trustees with an experienced member and offer training opportunities to Board members.

Do you have experience in Fundraising? 

Connection Support are seeking a Trustee that will support us in our vision of being a thought-leader in the prevention of homelessness, mental ill-health, and leading innovative services that prevent crises from happening. 

About us

At Connection Support, our team of staff and volunteers work alongside people to overcome life’s challenges.  We do this through our values of empowerment, collaboration, compassion and taking a personalised approach in all aspects of our work. 

We believe in a future where people are free from crisis, and effective prevention is the key. But for times when crises do happen, we’ll be there to help every step of the way. 

About the role

The trustee will support the board, the CEO and wider senior team with advice, guidance and sharing their experiences specifically related to: 

• Supporting the team and wider charity to achieve our fundraising goals. 

• Supporting and encouraging the fundraising team in their work.

• Ensuring that our fundraising activities are in line with organisational values and the Fundraising Code of Conduct. 

• Help develop a fundraising culture across the organisation.

• Share your knowledge and expertise to enhance our fundraising efforts and maximise the effectiveness of our activities. 

This is an exciting time to join Connection Support as we start our new three year strategy. 

Time commitment

The anticipated time commitment for a Trustee is up to a day a month. Approximately 2-3 hours per month in person, and then 2-3 hours of supporting with projects which can be from home. 

Trustee positions are not paid but travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed.

About you

Our values are extremely important to us, so it is essential that your personal values align with ours, and you are passionate and motivated by the impact you can have by being part of Connection Support. We would also like you to have the following;

• A diverse range of experience in fundraising and charitable income generation at strategic and operational levels, (e.g., instance trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships, regular donors and legacy giving).

• Knowledge of the fundraising landscape and the challenges facing medium-sized, regional charities in securing funds. 

If you are not sure if this role is for you, we can arrange a no obligation chat with a member of the board or the CEO. 

Previous experience is not necessary as we provide a full induction. We pair new Trustees with an experienced member and offer training opportunities to Board members. 

Interviews

Interviews will be held as suitable people apply, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early. 

For further information can be found in our Board of Trustees Recruitment Pack. 

Trustee – Legal / Compliance

We are seeking a trustee with a legal background who will be able to support a specific aspect of our work, such as safeguarding, recruitment or HR, employment.

As a Trustee for Soundabout, we’re looking for people who are:

• Passionate about the work of Soundabout – helping to create musical communities without barriers, with a focus on ensuring that people with severe and profound learning disabilities have a voice
• Committed to Soundabout’s vision, mission, and values
• Committed to, and willing to learn more about, Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Comfortable speaking their mind and listening to others
• Willing to learn and speak about the issues facing Learning Disabled people
• Strategic and critical thinkers who can make decisions based on information they are given
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Willing to spend the time and effort needed to fulfil the role of a trustee
• Understand and accept the legal responsibilities of being a trustee.

Trustee – Finance

We are seeking a trustee with a financial background with experience that would help the charity to meet our legal and regulatory compliance, and to ensure the good financial health of Soundabout.  

As a Trustee for Soundabout, we’re looking for people who are:

• Passionate about the work of Soundabout – helping to create musical communities without barriers, with a focus on ensuring that people with severe and profound learning disabilities have a voice
• Committed to Soundabout’s vision, mission, and values
• Committed to, and willing to learn more about, Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Comfortable speaking their mind and listening to others
• Willing to learn and speak about the issues facing Learning Disabled people
• Strategic and critical thinkers who can make decisions based on information they are given
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Willing to spend the time and effort needed to fulfil the role of a trustee
• Understand and accept the legal responsibilities of being a trustee.