Young refugee project volunteer volunteer jobs

About Hope for the Young

Hope for the Young removes the obstacles to young refugees and asylum-seekers’ education and wellbeing through mentoring, advocacy, and financial support.

The Mentoring Programme supports young refugees and asylum-seekers aged 16-25 by matching them with trained volunteer mentors who provide weekly one-to-one support tailored to the young people's needs. Mentors can help with teaching English, enrolment advice, study skills, confidence and trust building, and can provide emotional and practical support that will help the young people access new services, adapt and settle into their communities.

The Grants and Advocacy Programme supports young people who, due to their immigration status, have no access to student finance or other financial support to enable them to go to college or university. We provide small grants to pay for tuition fees, living allowances and travel expenses, alongside tailored advocacy support to enable young refugees and asylum-seekers to access education in the UK.

About this role

We are recruiting both a full-time and part-time Mentoring Programme Coordinator to manage our high-quality Mentoring Programme that supports young people seeking safety in the UK to achieve goals tailored to their needs. The programme aims to help them access education, improve their English, increase independence skills, build confidence, access appropriate services, reduce isolation, and adapt to life in the UK.

We are looking for an outstanding candidate who is passionate about supporting young people seeking sanctuary to adapt to life in the UK and reach their full potential. You will have volunteer management experience and be enthusiastic about the impact they can have on those in need. You will also have a background in, or strong knowledge of, the needs and common challenges of young refugees and asylum seekers.

You will be responsible for building and maintaining strong partnerships with refugee support organisations, colleges and social services to maintain steady referrals to the programme. You will be required to assess young people’s needs and carefully match them with mentors with the relevant skills and experience. You will simultaneously recruit, train and support volunteers to provide weekly one-to-one support to their mentees and carefully monitor the progress of each relationship. Further to this, you will be responsible for responding to safeguarding concerns and providing casework support for young people when issues arise that are beyond the remit or capacity of the mentor. You will also need to maintain strong professional boundaries.

You will also be required to evaluate and monitor the progress of your mentoring relationships, keeping databases up to date and maintaining accurate reporting. Due to the nature of the programme, flexibility will be key to success and you will be required to travel across London and attend meetings in the early evenings (you can take this time back according to our Time Off In Lieu Policy). We offer a flexible and hybrid working environment, however you will be expected to come to our office in Brixton for a minimum of 1 day per week (on a Wednesday, which is our office team day).

You will also be part of an out-of-hours safeguarding rota, approximately once every six weeks, with time given back in lieu.

You will be one of 8 members of staff working alongside a team of dedicated volunteers. Being part of a small team, you will get the opportunity to contribute ideas and help to shape Hope for the Young as we grow and support more young people than ever before.

Main duties and responsibilities

Volunteer Management and Support

1. To co-ordinate a team of volunteer mentors who will provide targeted practical, educational and emotional support to young refugees and asylum seekers on a weekly basis.

2. To ensure the volunteer mentors support young people to access services and develop skills which lead to increased levels of education and employment and support them in making choices which will help them improve their physical, psychological and social well-being.

3. To facilitate a shared culture of co-operation and joint learning.

4. To increase retention of volunteers by ensuring all mentors feel welcome, valued and part of Hope for the Young.

5. To ensure safeguarding and child protection processes are in place and adhered to at all times, as well as maintaining professional boundaries.

6. To keep mentors and mentees updated regularly with relevant events and opportunities to support their learning and personal development.

Recruitment, Training and Matching

7. To develop relationships with potential sources of volunteer mentors and post role descriptions on various platforms to expand the volunteer base.

8. To recruit a diverse range of volunteer mentors, including those with lived experience. This will include reviewing applications; interviewing candidates; taking up references; processing DBS checks; and inducting and training volunteer mentors into their role.

9. To deliver further training to volunteer mentors, with the support of external organisations, which will support them to deliver effective mentoring sessions to their mentees.

Outreach and Partnerships

10.  To work with refugee community organisations and statutory agencies to create referral and access pathways into and out of the mentoring programme, and to promote the programme as widely as possible.

11.  To ensure that partners are kept up to date with information about the mentoring programme and are supported to make referrals on an ongoing basis.

12.  To report back to referral organisations to highlight progress achieved within the mentoring relationships, as well as any challenges.

13.  To represent Hope for the Young at external networking meetings.

Youth Assessments and Support

14.  To carry out thorough assessments of vulnerable young people referred to Hope for the Young, to understand their support needs in order to provide appropriate support.

15.  To build a relationship of trust with the young people so that they can inform you of any problems arising within their mentoring sessions, and so that you can effectively track their progress.

16.  To provide ad-hoc casework support to young people when issues arise that are beyond the remit or capacity of their mentor; signposting and referring on to other organisations for additional support when necessary.

17.  To keep in contact with young people throughout their mentoring to ensure they are being supported effectively and are happy with their mentoring sessions.

Monitoring and Evaluation

18.  To ensure Salesforce records are up to date and have accurate information, including updating case notes and safeguarding concerns in a timely manner.

19.  To ensure mentors complete session reports after every meeting, and to carry out 3-week, 3-month and 6-month reviews with mentors and mentees.

20.  To monitor and evaluate the service, including gathering and uploading data from evaluation forms and surveys.

21.  To attend regular supervisory sessions with your line manager and produce verbal/written reports on the programme as appropriate.

Other Duties

22.  To help organise and facilitate Hope for the Young’s annual party and quarterly social events to celebrate young people’s achievements and create a sense of community within Hope for the Young.

23.  To process all expenses, invoices and receipts in line with financial management systems and adhere to budgets in line with funding requirements.

24.  To act at all times in compliance with all policies and procedures of HftY, and ensure filing and storage systems are managed in line with GDPR.

25.  To undertake training relevant to the job in order to keep up to date with issues relevant to providing a good service for refugee and asylum-seeking young people.

26.  To undertake any other appropriate duties relevant to the post.

This job description will be reviewed on a regular basis to respond to any changing needs of the post.

Benefits

• 25 days' annual leave (pro rata), excluding bank holidays, plus additional time off over the Christmas period

• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements

• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – a confidential counselling/support helpline

• Regular development opportunities to support professional development

• Quarterly wellbeing afternoons – group outings or activities to relax and unwind

Further Information

• You must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this job.

• You must adhere to Hope for the Young’s Equal Opportunities Policy at all times.

• Your employment at Hope for the Young is subject to two satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

• There is a 3-month probation period for this role

To Apply

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of forced migration. If you think you have the skills and experience to be our new Mentoring Programme Coordinator, we would love to hear from you.

We understand that AI can be a helpful tool when writing job applications. However, our advice is to not over-rely on AI and ensure your application is a true reflection of you and your voice. We can often tell when AI has been over-relied on and, in many cases, this is not giving applicants the best chance of success.

Here are all the details to apply:

• In the application form, please demonstrate how you meet the person specification for this post and explain why you would like to work for Hope for the Young.

• Please also complete our equal opportunities form which will appear once you have submitted your application.

• The deadline to apply is 8am on Tuesday 25th August

• Interviews will be held on 2nd, 3rd and 4th September

This exciting new role sits within REUK’s Education Pathways work which has been in a pilot phase for the last few years and is rapidly growing now that the UK government has made a commitment to expanding safe and legal routes to higher education in the UK for refugee students.

Once a student is selected for participation and offered a university place, this postholder becomes their core anchor and primary REUK point of contact. This role oversees the entire student journey—from pre-departure preparation and arrival orientation to ongoing academic support, psychosocial wellbeing, community building on campus and monitoring of student outcomes.

The postholder will work alongside the newly created Education Pathways Universities Lead. While the Universities Lead focuses on institutional partnerships, you will focus on the student support side of the pathway: equipping university welcome groups to develop integration plans, pairing scholars with academic mentors (with support from REUK’s educational mentoring team), building a vibrant national student network, and providing hands-on casework escalation when complex issues arise.

This is a critical role within a small, high-capacity specialist unit within REUK. Because this is an emerging and new area of work you must be comfortable working with risk and ambiguity, refining and learning rapidly as parameters evolve. You will be a versatile practitioner - equally skilled at designing cohort orientation programmes and delivering student workshops as you are at managing administrative workflows, tracking student outcomes, and delivering compassionate, individual casework support.

Role outcomes

1. Refugee Education Pathway students transition smoothly into UK higher education through comprehensive pre-departure guidance, arrival orientation, and holistic onboarding. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Serving as REUK’s primary point of contact for scholars in the months immediately preceding travel, delivering pre-departure briefings and managing expectation-setting.

• Supporting the Education Pathways Lead to recruit, select and match eligible students.

• Coordinating arrival logistics and initial orientation in close collaboration with partner universities and campus welcome groups.

• Establishing clear, trauma-informed onboarding protocols to help students adapt quickly to the academic and cultural environment of UK universities.

• Designing and delivering (in collaboration with young refugees who participated in the pilot pathway) high-quality orientation resources, toolkits, and interactive induction sessions tailored to the unique practical and psychosocial needs of newly arrived refugee students.

• Working alongside the Universities Lead to conduct campus visits to ensure scholars are safely settled and Welcome Groups are offering appropriate integration support

2. Scholars thrive academically, socially, and emotionally through tailored REUK-added support structures, mentorship, and peer networks. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the Universities Lead in training campus welcome groups (staff, student unions, and peer volunteers) and maintaining ongoing liaison to ensure high-quality local support.

• Overseeing REUK’s added-value support framework, including:

  • Sourcing, matching, and managing academic mentors for students on the programme;

  • Facilitating a vibrant, national network for education pathway students, organising regular in-person and online meet-ups and peer connections, as well as referrals to REUK’s refugee student leadership programme;

  • Providing occasional direct, high-level casework support and conflict resolution when complex student welfare, academic, or integration issues are escalated from universities to REUK.

• Fostering an empowering community environment that prioritises student agency, mental health, and long-term wellbeing throughout their studies.

3. Student support operations, cross-team coordination, safeguarding and administrative processes are managed efficiently and self-sufficiently. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Managing all student-facing administrative processes, communication channels, and record-keeping systems independently without junior administrative support. 

• Working in close alignment with the Universities Lead to ensure institutional arrangements and campus support delivery are fully synchronized.

• Maintaining robust safeguarding and data protection protocols across all student casework, communications, and interactions. 

• Liaising with external specialist organizations (e.g., legal advisors, healthcare providers, mental health services) when complex casework exceeds standard university support.

4. Student progress and outcomes are robustly evaluated and clearly communicated, contributing to programme learning and REUK’s wider mission. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Reporting directly to the Education Pathways Lead and Chief Executive on cohort wellbeing, retention rates, academic progress, and key student outcomes.

• Designing and implementing (with the support of REUK’s Research Manager) student feedback mechanisms, regular check-ins, and longitudinal evaluation frameworks to track scholar progression.

• Supporting grant reporting and contributing qualitative impact stories and student reflections for funders, communications and organisational learning.

• Working alongside the Youth Advocacy Manager to provide Education Pathways students opportunities to engage with our Refugee Changemakers team

• Feeding student-led insights and operational learning into REUK’s broader research, policy, and systemic change work to improve refugee education nationwide.

Person specification

Although each role requires particular competencies, we seek staff members - irrespective of role - who are willing and able to demonstrate core competencies related to 1) character and values, 2) personal working style and 3) team working. Please see the applicant pack for more details. The competencies required for this specific role are:

• Student support and safeguarding: Proven track record of delivering direct support, pastoral care and complex casework for displaced young people or international/refugee students in higher education and supporting others to do the same.

• Training and resources: Experience designing and delivering transition, orientation, or onboarding programmes that support cross-cultural adaptation and academic readiness.

• Volunteering management: Strong experience in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers and volunteer groups (e.g., akin to academic mentors or campus welcome groups).

• Network and community building: Skills in facilitating student-led networks, organizing cohort events/meet-ups, and building inclusive peer-to-peer support spaces.

• Operational self-sufficiency and willingness to travel: High level of personal organization, ability to manage admin independently without junior support, and willingness to travel regularly across the UK.

• Knowledge of education pathway models: Familiarity with international refugee education pathway models (such as Canada’s WUSC; Australia’s RSSP/SkillPath and or others operating in Japan, Italy, Ireland etc).

• Knowledge and understanding of refugee tertiary education and the needs of resettled refugees more broadly: Strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by refugee students in higher education both in the UK and internationally in first countries of asylum, as well as the support needed on resettlement to a third country.

• Student participation: Deep understanding of the principles of youth or student leadership and co-production, with the ability to embed these meaningfully across the education pathway 

• Interpersonal skills: An ability to build and maintain positive, warm and confidence inspiring working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, including in complex situations.

• Communications: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including ability to appropriately communicate nuance and complexity; confidence communicating with and presenting to a variety of audiences.

This exciting new role sits within REUK’s Education Pathways work which has been in a pilot phase for the last few years and is rapidly growing now that the UK government has made a commitment to expanding safe and legal routes to higher education in the UK for refugee students.

Higher education provides a transformative pathway for refugee youth, but establishing sustainable institutional access routes requires systemic collaboration. This role will lead the growth, formalisation, and management of university partnerships required to make an education pathway to the UK grow and flourish. You will oversee the complete partnership lifecycle: from university outreach and onboarding (including negotiating formal agreements at senior level), to enabling the formation of campus welcome groups, leading on initial and ongoing university and welcome group training and support, and monitoring and improving all university-facing processes within the pathway.

The postholder will work alongside a newly created Students Lead role, enabling you to focus on the institution-facing workstreams, while student-facing onboarding, welfare, and direct casework are handled by your counterpart.

This is a critical role within a small, high-capacity specialist unit within REUK. Because this is an emerging and new area of work you must be comfortable working with risk and ambiguity, refining and learning rapidly as parameters evolve. You will be an allrounder - as comfortable presenting to university executive boards and Vice-Chancellors as you are drafting MoUs, establishing Terms of Reference, organising and facilitating institutional training, and handling complex partnership operations independently.

Role outcomes

1. UK universities actively partner with REUK to create, expand, and sustain dedicated safe and legal education pathways for displaced students. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Developing and executing a national university engagement strategy to identify, pitch to, and secure new partner universities across the UK higher education sector.

• Engaging directly with key university representatives - including Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Admissions, Sanctuary staff and key academics - to build institutional buy-in and secure long-term commitment to refugee education pathways.

• Negotiating university support packages, including as appropriate fee waivers, scholarship or bursary structures, and accommodation commitments.

• Nurturing and strategically managing existing university partnerships to ensure institutional sustainability, high-level engagement, and year-on-year growth in pathway placements.

• Representing REUK where appropriate in sector-wide higher education networks and working groups on displaced student pathways.

2. Partner universities establish institutional frameworks, well-trained staff networks and campus welcome groups to receive refugee education pathway learners. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Guiding universities in establishing and structuring sustainable on-campus welcome groups (bringing together university staff and students) to support the welcome and integration of education pathway students.

• Designing and delivering high quality training sessions for on-campus welcome groups and other key staff members.

• Developing practical toolkits, guides, and frameworks for university staff to accompany above training.

• Collaborating with the Students Lead to ensure campus welcome structures integrate with REUK's student support mechanisms.

• Advocating within partner institutions for structural policy improvements (e.g. contextual admissions and flexible documentation policies).

3. University partnership governance, agreements, and operational systems run effectively and efficiently. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Drafting, negotiating, and finalizing formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Terms of Reference (ToRs), and operational service agreements with partner universities. 

• Managing all administrative and governance aspects of university partnerships independently, including contract tracking, partnership reviews, and operational timelines without junior admin support.

• Coordinating institutional admissions frameworks and placement quotas with university registry and admissions departments.

• Serving as the primary point of contact for senior university leads when strategic, structural, or other partnership challenges arise

• Maintaining robust data systems and records relating to university commitments, funding allocations, and institutional agreements.

4. REUK’s Education Pathways university partnerships work is robustly evaluated, financially sustainable, and aligned with REUK’s broader strategy. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Reporting directly to the Education Pathways Lead  on partnership growth, institutional engagement metrics, and strategic pathway goals.

• Working in close alignment with the Students Lead to ensure institutional frameworks effectively support cohort needs and programme delivery.

• Collecting sector data, university feedback, and institutional metrics to demonstrate impact to funders, university boards, REUK’s board of trustees, and government stakeholders.

• Supporting grant reporting and budget management related to university pathway expansion and partner development.

• Feeding operational insights from university partnerships into REUK’s broader research, policy, and systemic change initiatives.

Person specification

Although each role requires particular competencies, we seek staff members - irrespective of role - who are willing and able to demonstrate core competencies related to 1) character and values, 2) personal working style and 3) team working. Please see the applicant pack for more details. The competencies required for this specific role are:

• Higher Education sector expertise: Deep understanding of UK university governance, executive structures, admissions procedures, international frameworks, and sanctuary initiatives.

• Senior stakeholder engagement and negotiation: Proven track record of engaging and influencing senior decision-makers within universities.
   

• Partnership governance: Demonstrated experience drafting, negotiating, and executing formal and operational agreements, including MoUs and ToRs.
   

• Facilitation and training: Strong training and facilitation skills, with a track record of designing and delivering workshops and guidance, ideally within the higher education or refugee education sectors

• Operational self-sufficiency: Outstanding organisational skills with the ability to manage high-level administration, systems setup, and contract management independently without administrative support.

• Knowledge of education pathway models: Familiarity with international refugee education pathway models (such as Canada’s WUSC; Australia’s RSSP/SkillPath and or others operating in Japan, Italy, Ireland etc).

• Knowledge and understanding of refugee tertiary education: Strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by refugee students in higher education both in the UK and in first countries of asylum. 

• Interpersonal skills: An ability to build and maintain positive, warm and confidence inspiring working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, including in complex situations.

• Communications: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including ability to appropriately communicate nuance and complexity; confidence communicating with and presenting to high level audiences.

Are you passionate about creating positive opportunities for children and young people? Do you enjoy organising activities, building partnerships and helping families access the support they need?

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is seeking a dedicated and highly organised Youth Activities and Enrichment Coordinator to join our award-winning Bright Futures Children and Young People's Programme.

In this rewarding role, you will plan and coordinate engaging and inclusive educational, recreational and enrichment activities that help refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people build confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing and feel connected to their local community.

Location: We have offices in Kingston Upon Thames, greater London.

Hours: 14 hours per week – 2 days a week* (including paid half-hour lunch break).

Salary:  £12,740 (FTE £31,850) for 2 years.

Leave: 26 days per annum Pro Rata plus bank holidays.

Starting Date October 2026.

Responsible to Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager.

*The peak activity periods for this role happen during school half-terms, which means extra hours will be required during these times. In return, we offer full flexibility with Time Off in Lieu (TOIL), allowing you to reclaim your time outside of busy half-term periods. Afterschool club is currently on Wednesdays and you will be expected to attend in person until 6pm. 

Purpose of the Role

The Youth Activities and Enrichment Coordinator will play a key role in planning, coordinating, delivering and monitoring educational, recreational and enrichment activities as part of our award-winning Bright Futures Children’s and Young People’s Programme. Working closely with the Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager, Primary Teacher, external partners and volunteers, the post holder will ensure the provision of engaging, inclusive and memorable opportunities. In addition, they will support the delivery of RAK Bright Futures After School Club and Supplementary School and contribute to education-related casework for children and young people and monitoring and evaluation of all above activity.

All staff are expected to adhere to the Equal Opportunities Policy of RAK at all times.

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is a well-established charity dedicated to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum from anywhere in the world who find themselves in the Royal Borough of Kingston and neighbouring boroughs. Since its foundation in 1991, RAK has been the main provider of direct services to refugees and people seeking asylum as well as promoting refugee rights.

RAK aims to support refugees through the process from their initial reception in the borough through to final integration into the local community in order to enable them to live a fulfilling life and become accepted and active participants in our local communities.  We achieve this by accomplishing a variety of outcomes for refugee and asylum-seeking families through delivering a holistic service including advice, information, counselling, education, training, and assistance to access mainstream services and employment opportunities to help them rebuild their lives.

What we can offer you

· Work in a highly respected organisation punching above its weight – providing quality support to around 1300 individuals and families a year.

· A friendly and supportive environment, with an experienced team of professional teachers, counsellors, solicitors and advisers working to quality standards.

· Flexible working.

· A committed community in South West London that supports RAK through volunteering, sharing information about our work, and donations.

· Generous annual leave.

· Paid 30 minute lunch break if working 6 or more hours per day.

Our values 

• Empathy: we put ourselves in the shoes of those we work with. 

• Enterprise: we are innovative and resourceful in our approach to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. 

• Empowerment: we strive to empower our clients, helping them achieve their aspirations. 

Key Responsibilities

• Research, plan and coordinate holiday activities, trips and workshops that promote learning, wellbeing, community engagement and social inclusion.
• Develop and maintain relationships with activity providers, venues, schools, community organisations, cultural institutions and other partners to secure and coordinate activities, trips and enrichment opportunities.
• Manage invitations and registrations. Communicate with families regarding activities, permissions, travel arrangements and other relevant information.
• Organise the provision of lunches and refreshments through partnerships with local organisations and suppliers. Ensuring compliance with relevant food hygiene standards.
• Track project expenditure, process invoices, reconcile activity-related expenses, and maintain accurate budget records.
• Maintain records of attendance and activities. Administer questionnaires to monitor outcomes and obtain feedback to support evaluation and project reporting requirements.
• Take photos and prepare short commentary for social media whilst prioritising online safety of children and young people and ensuring all necessary permissions are in place.
• Deal sensitively with children, young people and families, identifying needs and making referrals to appropriate RAK services, external organisations and community opportunities. 
• Keep up to date with local community activities and services and ensure youth activities notice boards are regularly updated.
• Promote the welfare and safety of children and young people at all times.
• Adhere to RAK’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Conduct appropriate risk assessments and ensure health and safety requirements are met for activities and trips.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Support Duties

• Support the delivery of RAK’s After School Club and Supplementary School programmes.
• Provide support to the Head of Services/ Family Support and Supplementary School Manager and Primary Teacher with education-related enquiries and casework.
• Support and work alongside volunteers involved in the delivery of Bright Futures.
• Ensure client details and case records are accurate, confidential and recorded on the RAK database and other relevant platforms.

Other duties and shared responsibilities

• Attend team meetings, training and other activities required to support the successful delivery of the programme.
• Represent RAK professionally with partners, stakeholders and the wider community.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager that are consistent with the nature of the role.
• Undertake other duties such as implementing cleanliness procedures, and assisting in fire practices.
• Implement Refugee Action Kingston’s Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Health and Safety and other policies in all areas of work.

Please note the duties outlined in this Job Description may be reviewed and amended from time to time.

Person specification

•  Experience of organising activity and enrichment programmes and events for children and young people.
•  Experience of working with children and young people at risk of violence or exploitation.
•  Experience of managing administrative processes and maintaining accurate records.
•  Experience of monitoring budgets and handling financial administration.
•  Experience of working with volunteers.
•  Digital proficiency – experience of working with database systems, Microsoft 365, Canva.
•  Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, families and partner organisations.
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly.
• Available to work during school half term holidays.
• A commitment to the aims and objectives of Refugee Action Kingston and an understanding of the challenges faced by people seeking asylum and refugees in the UK.

Desirable criteria

• Spoken competency in one or more key client language groups.
• Lived or learned experience of the challenges faced by children and young people affected by displacement, disruption to education, youth violence or exploitation.

Our workplace

We want RAK to be a great place to work and to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thought. Our values are clearly set out in our strategy RAK Strategy 2023-28 which is available on our website.

RAK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to recruiting staff, trustees and volunteers who reflect the communities we serve and the wider community of London where we live and work. We particularly welcome applications from people: from Black, Asian and other minority-ethnic communities; refugee and migrant backgrounds; LGBTQ+ communities; with disabilities; and neurodiverse communities.

Asking for adjustments - RAK is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making changes for neurodiverse people, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview, or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please contact us.

RAK is obliged to comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act (1996), and this requires certain documents to be presented by candidates before an offer of employment can be made. If you are invited to interview, we will ask you to bring these documents with you. For jobs which involve, for example, working with, or having access to children and/or vulnerable adults and their records, we will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and need to have information from you regarding any previous, existing, or pending convictions or cautions. This will form part of the recruitment process if you are successful after interview.

Interviews will take place w/c 21 September 2026.

Job Title: Refugee Support Worker.

Location: The Gap Centre, 42 Stow Hill, Newport, NP20 1JG.

Hours: 35 hours per week, Usual working pattern Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (including a 30-minute unpaid break).

The successful candidate will be expected to support occasional evening community activities, which may include our weekly Games Night programme.

Salary: £27,773.20 per year (actual), 35 hours per week.

About Us:

The Gap Wales – The Sanctuary Newport is committed to supporting asylum seekers and refugees as they rebuild their lives in Newport. We provide a welcoming, trauma-informed space where individuals can access advocacy, wellbeing support, community activities, and opportunities for social connection. We believe wellbeing grows through belonging, meaningful relationships, and participation in community life. Alongside practical support and advocacy, we create opportunities for people to build confidence, develop skills, strengthen social connections, and contribute to their local community.

Every week, refugees and people seeking sanctuary arrive at The Gap Wales needing practical guidance, emotional support, and a sense of belonging. As our Refugee Support Worker, you will help people rebuild confidence, navigate complex systems, and develop meaningful connections within the community.

Our work is rooted in transformation: personal, social, and community. Every interaction, every conversation, and every act of support helps to "fill the gap" where existing systems fall short.

The Role:

We are seeking a Refugee Support Worker to provide compassionate, practical and trauma-informed support to refugees and asylum seekers accessing our services. The role combines one-to-one support, advocacy, community engagement, practical assistance and partnership working to help individuals rebuild their lives, develop independence, improve wellbeing and become active members of their community.

You will support individuals to access essential services, overcome barriers, build confidence and strengthen social connections. You will also help coordinate community activities and community lunch programmes, working alongside volunteers and partner organisations to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for people seeking sanctuary.

This is a frontline role where your empathy, organisational skills and ability to build trusting relationships will make a tangible difference to the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in Newport.

· Providing one-to-one support and advocacy to refugees and asylum seekers

· Supporting individuals to access housing, healthcare, education, welfare advice and other services

· Conducting needs assessments and developing support plans

· Coordinating community activities, community lunches and opportunities for social connection

· Working alongside volunteers, partner organisations and community groups to strengthen support networks

Key Responsibilities:

Casework & Emotional Support

• Provide one‑to‑one practical and emotional support
• Conduct needs assessments and create personalised support plans
• Support individuals experiencing trauma, domestic violence, or other vulnerabilities
• Signpost to counselling, therapeutic services, and specialist mental health providers

Advocacy & Signposting

• Advocate for service users with statutory and community agencies
• Support individuals to understand and exercise their rights within the UK asylum system
• Liaise with social services, legal advisors, and mental health professionals

Group Work & Community Engagement

• Develop and facilitate wellbeing, confidence‑building, and social inclusion groups
• Organise community activities that promote integration and peer support
• Work with volunteers and community leaders to strengthen support pathways

· Organise community activities and community lunch programmes that promote integration and peer support

· Support the planning, purchasing and preparation of food for community meals and events

· Work with volunteers and community leaders to strengthen support pathways

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Maintain accurate case notes and data records
• Contribute to monitoring reports for trustees and funders
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding and data protection policies

Employment Details

· Reporting to: Operations Director

· Reasonable work-related expenses will be reimbursed in line with organisational policy. Benefits include 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (Pro rata) and a pension scheme with contributions in line with organisational policy.

· This role is initially offered on a one-year fixed term, with the intention of securing funding to establish a permanent position. As The Gap Wales continues to grow, the responsibilities of this role may evolve in response to organisational needs.

What We’re Looking For:

· Experience supporting vulnerable individuals in a community, support, advice, housing, wellbeing or similar setting

• Understanding of trauma‑informed practice
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to manage sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Desirable

• Experience working with refugees or asylum seekers
• Group facilitation experience
• Multilingual abilities

Why Join Us?

This role is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people who have experienced displacement, trauma, and significant barriers. You will be part of a supportive team committed to compassion, dignity, and community transformation.

· Regular supervision and reflective practice

· Opportunities for training and professional development

· A supportive and collaborative team environment

How to Apply

· Application Deadline: Sunday, 23rd August 2026 with interviews taking place in September.

· For enquiries or to apply, please send your CV and a cover letter. Interviews will be conducted shortly after the closing date, with an expected start date of Monday, 5th October 2026 (subject to agreement).

Safeguarding Statement

The Gap Wales is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate DBS checks. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

The aims and objectives of The Gap Wales are motivated by a Christian ethos. While we welcome applications from people of all faiths and none, all staff are expected to uphold and support the values, mission, and objectives of the organisation and not act in a manner that would knowingly undermine its Christian ethos.

The opportunity:

This is a senior role with responsibility for the strategic direction, quality and impact of We Belong’s youth development portfolio. Reporting to the CEO and working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead programmes spanning early intervention, educational attainment, further and higher education, employability, skills development, youth leadership and progression into positive opportunities.

You will oversee the Let Us Learn Programme, Emerging Young Leaders Programme, Schools Excellence Programme and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Bronze programme. You will also strengthen young people’s influence within We Belong through the Core Group, ensuring that lived experience informs organisational priorities and programme development.

The Context:

Following the landmark Supreme Court judgment in the Tigere case, which helped secure fairer access to higher education for young migrants, We Belong has continued working to ensure that young people can progress into higher education. This has included successful campaigning to increase scholarship opportunities and building strong relationships with educational institutions across the UK.

However, more work is needed. Young migrants can experience significant barriers to educational attainment, further and higher education, employment and personal development because of their immigration status.

These barriers can arise long before a young person reaches the point of applying to university, beginning an apprenticeship or entering employment. We recognise that university is not the only pathway to success and that young people should be supported to explore a range of routes that reflect their ambitions, strengths and circumstances.

Early intervention is therefore essential to ensure that young migrants understand their rights, receive accurate information and appropriate support, and are able to make informed decisions about their education, training, employment and future.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about working with young people, supporting their development and creating pathways for them to achieve their ambitions.

If successful, the applicant will be joining an award-winning youth charity and a staff team dedicated to improving outcomes for young migrants between the ages of 16-25 years old and empowering young people to create change.

We are seeking a collaborative and creative Director who is rigorous, centres care and supports people to flourish, to lead our brand new Playhouse Ensembles strand within Playhouse Connect's exciting new chapter.

The Playhouse Ensembles Director will be responsible for leading 10 ensembles in total, including:​​

• 7 Youth Theatre cohorts, ​​
• Heydays (Creative Ageing) ensemble, ​​
• Theatre of Sanctuary ensemble. ​​

​The role holder will take a strategic oversight to the work of the various ensembles and work with freelancers to deliver the sessions. Within this role, you will direct two of the ensembles yourself and manage freelance artists to lead the other ensembles.​

​The work you enable to happen will respond to the Leeds Playhouse mission and programme, the priorities of our key partners and the emerging needs of the city. Therefore, you will work closely with our Artistic team to ensure the work of the ensembles are in line with the organisation’s overall artistic vision.​ ​

This is a full-time, permanent contract of 35 hours a week, with working pattern to be discussed with your manager. Pay for the role is £32,000 per year. Benefits at Leeds Playhouse include 5 weeks holiday entitlement (plus 1.6 weeks of bank holidays), that increases with length of continuous employment; 2 wellbeing days a year; discounts across our food and drinks, free show tickets and a local gym and swimming discount. Please see our job pack for more benefits we offer.

Before applying for the role, please read our job pack. This includes the full list of responsibilities, person specification and information about Leeds Playhouse.

To apply, please fill in both of the forms linked on our website listing by the deadline.

The closing date for applications is 5pm Sunday 16 August 2026.

Interviews are scheduled for the weeks commencing 17 August or 24 August.