Refugee Volunteer Roles
The Hummingbird Project is looking for experienced ESOL or English Functional Skills teachers/teaching assistants to join Learning Space.
Are you dedicated, reliable, and have a passion for working with young people to ahieve their full potential? Then we'd love to hear from you!
Deadline: Midnight Sunday 10th March 2024
Interviews: Tuesday 19th March 2024
Start Date: Thursday 18th April 2024 (TBC).
You will need to undergo a DBS check, safeguarding training and an induction before starting.
When: Every Thursday, during term time, 5:30 - 7:30pm. Volunteers must be able to commit to the role for a minimum of 6 months.
Applying: Please read the volunteer information pack below before completing the volunteer application form
Essential Criteria:
- Teaching/teaching assistant experience on ESOL and/or English Functional Skills courses
- Familiarity with ESOL and/or English Functional Skills exams
- Experience of working with people from refugee backgrounds and/or teaching people who's first language is not English
- Excellent and adaptable communication skills
- Be available to volunteer on a Thursday 5:30-7:30pm for a minimum of 6 months (if you are not available during this time we ask that you do not apply for this role)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Salusbury World advice team have been successfully helping clients to navigate welfare benefits, immigration problems, housing support and to find work for 20 years. 70% of our clients require an interpreter.
We particularly need interpreters to support our Farsi-speaking clients.
Some appointments take place virtually and some are face-to-face appointments, usually in the London borough of Brent.
Your main tasks will be to:
*offer clear independent interpreting of the client’s issue and responses from the advice worker to the client.
*support clients from a variety of Farsi-speaking countries, many with almost no English.
Experience of interpreting is desirable but not essential. You need a warm personality and an ability to build a rapport with people quickly, a high standard of English, and a non-judgemental and supportive approach.
Commitment: this is an irregular commitment, as and when needed. It is likely to be 2 or 3 hours per month but may be less.
We offer induction training, support and reimburse travel costs.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Social Media Officer Job Description
Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP)
At Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership, our objective is to provide practical and emotional support, ultimately helping our clients achieve a sustainable position as full members of our society. Many of our clients are destitute, homeless and have no access to assistance from the government. Our mission is to provide access to advice and essential services until statutory services are in place.
Volunteering as a Social Media Officer provides an opportunity for you to help promote the charity to current and potential clients as well as the wider community, which could attract donors and other volunteers. As well as this it will be a way for you to develop your social media and computer skills, gain experience volunteering for a charity and also it will be an interesting addition to your CV!
Full training will be given on starting the role, including safeguarding, as well as regular training sessions and continual support from other volunteers.
Responsibilities:
· Updating the charity’s Facebook, X and Instagram pages regularly (ideally at least weekly).
· Liaising with other volunteers from other services to gather photos and information to post prior to and after events/sessions.
· Attend and take photos of the bigger charity events throughout the year.
· Try to gain more followers and traction through social media.
· Reply to comments, share posts and stories and follow relevant local and national organisations.
Requirements:
· 1-2 ad/hoc hours a week.
· Complete training as required and attend bi-monthly volunteer support meetings.
Skills:
· An ability to communicate and empathise with people from a variety of backgrounds and needs.
· Basic IT and social media skills.
· Can work well as part of a team.
· Enthusiasm to help refugee clients.
Desirable experience:
· Previous volunteering experience.
· Able to follow new social media trends and algorithms to create as much engagement as possible.
If you are interested in becoming a Social Media Officer please apply via Charity Jobs or contact us to discuss further.
Send CV to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for new trustees with experience of working in HR or fundraising to join our experienced and committed board. We are particualrly interetested in trustees who have lived experience of migration, either from claiming asylum in the UK or navigating the immigration system. You will join our main trustee board and one of our committees depending on your expertise.
LRMN exists to empower refugees and other migrants and to bring about systemic change to remove the challenges they face. Our services include providing specialist legal advice on immigration, housing and welfare, supporting those who need to improve their skills through training and volunteering as well as helping them gain employment. We support women who survived gender-based abuse including rape, trafficking, domestic violence and more and we offer them 1:1 counselling and therapeutic activities. In addition, we provide mental health and well-being support to those who are suffering from non-clinical mental health issues. We advocate and campaign against policies that are not fair and just and which uphold hostile environment. We also provide hardship funds and food parcels to destitute clients.
As a trustee you will be expected to attend a quarterly board meeting, join a sub-committee which also meets quarterly and offer support relevant to your expertise. We have three sub-committees: Organisation Development; Finance, Risk and Compliance; and Fundraising and Marketing. Meetings normally take place in the evening from 6pm and last about 2 hours. The sub-committee meetings are online and the full board meetings are a mix of online and in-person meetings. You will need to be able to attend face to face meetings in London.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role title: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Location: Flexible (travel to London will be required at least once a quarter)
Salary: N/A (Volunteer role)
Time commitment: 2-3 days per month
Contract: The Chair is appointed for an initial 3-year term with the option of renewal for up to 3 terms. The maximum term for all trustees (including the Chair) is 9 years.
Purpose of the role:
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join a growing, impact-focused and ambitious charity supporting refugees to access meaningful employment and build a new life.
The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs Breaking Barriers effectively, in service of our vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.
The Chair of Breaking Barriers provides visionary leadership and strategic direction, ensuring that the organisation effectively achieves its mission while adhering to its core values. This pivotal role involves governance oversight, board leadership, executive support, and serving as an ambassador for the organisation.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategic leadership and vision: Guide the organisation with a strategic vision, aligning the board and staff's efforts with the mission. Lead the development and review of long-term strategies to ensure responsiveness to community needs and adaptability to the changing environment.
- Governance and oversight: Ensure effective governance, oversee board operations, and ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities. Monitor financial performance and adherence to non-profit management best practices.
- Resource mobilisation: Support and participate in fundraising strategies, leveraging networks, and engaging with donors and stakeholders to secure necessary resources for the organisation's work.
- Building and leading the board: Ensure the board comprises members with diverse skills and perspectives. Lead recruitment, orientation, and training of board members and facilitate effective meetings and discussions, ensuring productive governance to advance the purpose and values of the organization.
- CEO support and evaluation: Support and maintain a constructive relationship with the CEO, creating a positive and strong working relationship to jointly set and achieve appropriate targets, staying in regular contact and acting as a sounding board to discuss strategic or staffing issues - coaching, supporting and challenging as necessary. Ensuring accountability for organisational performance.
- Ambassadorship: Act as the primary ambassador, representing and promoting the organisation's mission, values, and interests to external stakeholders, enhancing its reputation, and fostering collaboration, fundraising and promotional opportunities.
To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.
Other considerations
- As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
- Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.
- We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.
How to apply
If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. Please apply via Charity Jobs by submitting a cover letter (up to approximately 2 A4 pages), referencing how you believe you best meet the person specification. You are also welcome to include any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process. Please view the attached recruitment pack for further essential information for candidates.
Closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Thursday 2nd May. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Dani Meier for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).
Breaking Barriers exists so that every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
CARAS is a leading refugee charity in Southwest London, providing firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives.
We provide person-centred educational, social and casework support to over 600 young people and adults across South London each year, recognising the moment of arrival as one of opportunity. Our work provides individuals with essential support to build language and employability skills, develop social networks and friendships, and access essential services such as legal and mental health services. Our work has multi-generational impact, providing forced migrants with early interventions to support language and skill acquisition, tackling the root causes of socio-economic marginalisation by supporting social inclusion and future labour market access.
Volunteering with CARAS – our Community of Welcome:
CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles. Community members tell us the welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution that volunteers bring.
About CARAS Adult Programme:
Alongside educational and casework support, CARAS has a thriving social program of weekly activities, from women’s yoga, to creative coffee afternoons, sports sessions and workshops, designed and built in collaboration with our community, volunteers and local partners. Most people we work with in the adult team are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, are accommodated in cramped and inadequate hotels contracted by the Home Office for up to – and sometimes more than – 2 years whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim. During this time, they are eligible for only £8.86 per week and are prohibited from working. This is an incredibly stressful and disempowering period for those seeking asylum. Against this backdrop, our social activities exist as spaces of welcome, for people to come and make meaningful connections, build confidence and importantly – have fun!
About the Trips and Holiday Activities Project:
Alongside our weekly timetable of term time activities, we run trips across London during the school holidays. These are always chosen and planned together with our community members, and so far have included trips to famous parks, museums, galleries, and the theatre. We know from our community members how important these trips are; they are a chance to explore parts of the city that would otherwise be inaccessible, and to feel more at home in the city. As one community member told us, ‘to discover new places…this makes us feel included’. They are an opportunity to learn something new with others, to meet new people, relax and have fun.
About the Role:
To support us with these trips and holiday activities, we are looking for friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic and proactive volunteers. You will support us practically to ensure the trips run smoothly and on time, but also will be an essential part of our community of welcome – to chat and get to know our community members, and make sure everyone feels included and is having a good time.
We intend to hold 2 trips in the Easter holidays, and up to 5 trips in the summer holidays. These will all be in locations across London, most likely during daytime hours. We will also run a combination of adult-only and child-friendly trips across the year – this is what our community have told us they want! We usually have a group of 10-20 community members and will always have at least one CARAS staff member present too.
Ideally, we are looking for volunteers who are flexible during school holidays and can attend at least 3 trips throughout the year, though we may consider those who might only be able to volunteer on a one-off basis.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
To attend CARAS trips as and when you are available to do so.
To support with the logistics of travelling to and from the trip location.
To keep an eye on the general health and wellbeing of our Community Members and report any concerns to the CARAS staff member present.
To encourage positive connections between people and the places we are visiting, opening up conversations to learn about each other.
On family-friendly trips, to assist where needed with the supervision of children present (alongside parents)
Requirements – Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
To be reliable and punctual;
To be welcoming, friendly part of the group, and to make sure our community members have the best and most fruitful time possible at the locations we visit.
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
Current resident of the UK;
Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
Able to complete compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding via 2 self-paced induction training webinars prior to the start of role;
Requirements – Desirable:
Knowledge of community languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali and Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will gain:
An opportunity to connect with and learn from a vibrant and diverse community of people who are new to the city;
A chance to share your knowledge of the city and places of interest with our community;
A deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of those seeking asylum here;
A deeper understanding of language-inclusive practices in multi-lingual groups;
Develop your skills and competencies;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Upbeat Communities achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity, and they also ensure we have a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the leadership team to enable Upbeat Communities to grow and thrive, and through this, empower refugees to thrive.
Through regular meetings, strategy days and written reports provided to the board, trustees are able to set the direction of the organisation, develop its strategic objectives and support and keep the staff team accountable in delivering on these
strategic goals.
Trustee meetings are currently held every 2 months either in person in Derby or online (hybrid). We have an annual strategy away day and trustees are also invited to be part of our sub-committees. Trustees are requested to be available to attend occasional ‘unscheduled’ meetings or engage in email communications which address urgent business as it arises, join working groups when needed and spend time preparing for meetings by reading and considering the papers circulated before meetings.
Benefits of Being a Trustee
We believe being a trustee of Upbeat Communities offers a number of fantastic
benefits:
- Strategic decision-making that positively impacts the lives of over a thousand
- asylum seekers and refugees every year
- Supporting an innovative, talented and passionate staff team as they develop
- our work and explore new services and ways of working
- Being part of a committed and focused trustee team working to see the charity
- grow
- Using your skills, experience and passion to contribute to an effective and wellfunctioning
- board
- Opportunities to learn new skills and experiences to contribute to your own
- personal development
Duties
Any individual acting as a trustee for Upbeat Communities would be required to
carry out the following:
- Promote the vision, mission and values of the charity
- Ensure Upbeat Communities and its representatives function within all legal and
- regulatory requirements applicable, and in line with its constitution, continually
- striving for best practice in governance
- Determine the overall direction and development of Upbeat Communities
- through good governance and clear strategic planning
- Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their
- implementation
- Oversee Upbeat Communities’ financial plans and budgets and monitor and
- evaluate progress
- Review and approve the charity’s financial statements
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively
- Provide support and challenge to Upbeat Communities’ Chief Executive in the
- exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
- Contribute to regular reviews of Upbeat Communities’ own governance.
- Attend Board meetings, and be adequately prepared to contribute to
- discussions.
- Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and
- protect the charity’s interests, avoiding any personal conflict of interests
- Take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be a
- material risk to the charity
- Maintain confidentiality about all aspects of the trustee’s business
Finance Specific Duties
- Lead on the strategic financial management of the charity at board level
- Liaise with our outsourced finance team (including our Finance Director)
- Chair the finance sub-committee (which meets 6 times per year ahead of every
- board meeting)
- Maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and ensure full and
- timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the board
- Support the board of trustees in financial decision making processes
- Review and approve annual budgets
- Advise on banking and investments
- Take an active role in the financial audit process
- Contribute to the financial management of our trading subsidiary (Upbeat
- Enterprises Limited)
Empowering individuals and families to thrive as they rebuild their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
This role is for people who already have some previous experience in people facing roles. We are looking for people who have empathy, are good listeners and are non-judgemental. You will be supporting a small number of clients who have more complex needs and require extra support to get through difficult situations. We are looking for people who have two to four hours a week to spare. You will be offered support in this role by the Partnership.
Support clients by:
- Providing moral support in meetings and making sure the client understands.
- Making phone calls or supporting a client to make calls.
- Helping with form filling and letter writing
- Working with clients on solutions to more complex issues e.g. debt.
Benefits for you:
- Support from a Case Worker Co-ordinator
- Increasing your knowledge of the asylum process and immigration law
- Improving your knowledge of community resources and how to support clients to access them
- Establishing relationship with clients who appreciate someone walking alongside them
If you are interested in becoming a Caseworker please submit your CV and someone from the Partnership will contact you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London, helping them to play their full part in the community. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for adults currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), a creative writing workshop, drama group, yoga and gardening project.
About the CARAS ESOL Team:
COVID has posed unprecedented challenges to refugees and people seeking asylum in London. Many of those we meet have arrived alone in the UK and have been living in contingency accommodation for many months. Our ESOL team offer English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our online Zoom classes on Tuesday mornings:
Entry 1 class: 10 to 11.30am
Entry 2 class: 11.30am to 1pm (plus a 15-minute debrief)
You are welcome to apply to volunteer in one or both classes. Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
As a volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant your role is flexible and varied. It will involve supporting the Adult ESOL Teacher in the delivery of online Zoom classes, as well as providing learners with one-to-one or small-group support.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;
Helping learners build confidence in digital literacy;
Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
Helping create “learner portraits” to understand their strengths and areas of interest;
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, online communications and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
An interest in education and English language teaching;
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
To be reliable and punctual;
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
The ability to volunteer on Tuesday mornings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months;
Currently resident in the UK;
Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role
Desirable:
Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
Through volunteering with us you will:
Meet new members of your local community;
Learn about different cultures;
Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
Develop your skills and competencies;
Be able to access relevant training, including ESOL safeguarding training;
Gain experience in teaching and interpreting.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Plateful Café is a charity with a physical café which opened to the public in September 2023. Our purpose is to upskill, hire and assist refugees in the culinary & hospitality sectors through training and employment at our café. Our community café is located in the Parkside Community Centre (SE10 8FY) which is open from Thursday to Saturday every week (9.30-3), but we also cater for events, pop ups and sell artisan products and artwork by local refugees.
We are looking for someone to join our advisory board of trustees, who will have a major impact in developing our growing charity. You will make a real impact in the lives of many refugees and help to reduce socio-economic inequality. As a business trustee, you will support the very exciting expansion of our sales plan – online, at markets and in the cafe. Your experience will help to keep our café running and succeeding by supporting the Founder in creating and overseeing plans, policies and finances.
Main duties and responsibilities
-
Supporting the Founder in researching, identifying and developing new models to grow food sales at the cafe, and achieve Plateful Café’s mission
-
Liaise with relevant staff to champion an effective growth plan, and ensure that plan is aligned with the mission to support more refugees into work
-
Ensure Plateful Café’s customer service is of the highest standards
-
Support the Founder in the production and implementation of the business plan, growing both the markets and the e-commerce and cafe
-
Support the Founder to implement a marketing plan
-
Represent Plateful Café at social events
Essential
-
A passion for improving the lives of refugees and asylum seeker
-
Experience and understanding of growing an e-commerce business and/or knowledge of cafe retail
-
Previous experience in business development and sales
-
Previous experience in customer services
-
Being a proactive self-starter with dedication and drive to upskill in order to support the charity
Desirable
-
Knowledge/experience of telemarketing and call centres
-
Experience using CRM systems
-
Previous experience in Marketing
-
Knowledge of the food and café industry
-
Lived experience of being a refugee and/or experience working with refugees
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you live in Wales and want to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people?
We are offering 1 young people aged 18-25 the opportunity to volunteer for up to 11 months with the Swedish Red Cross in Stockholm. The programme will run from September 2024 – August 2025.
You will be working on a range of projects, which will give you the chance to explore the different kinds of social action that the Swedish Red Cross undertake in Stockholm. This is a great opportunity to get involved in these projects and find out what you are interested in. For more details on the role and the projects available, have a look at the role description. The main thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement!
The Swedish Red Cross Youth is excited to welcome two volunteers in collaboration with British Red Cross this fall. This opportunity offers volunteers the chance to contribute to the vital work of the Swedish Red Cross Youth in addressing the needs of youth in socio-economically vulnerable areas and strengthening the capacity of our volunteers nationwide and will also offer you an opportunity to volunteer in our breakfast clubs, homework help groups, support chats, tutoring sessions and other member meetings. The placement is in central Stockholm, at the Swedish Red Cross HQ. As a Volunteer in this programme, you will play a crucial role in supporting the activities coordinated by the Red Cross Youth, gaining valuable experience in community development, crisis management, and international collaboration. Your efforts will contribute to creating positive forums for young people in Sweden to network and foster a sense of community and empowerment.
Please note that only young people based in Wales can apply for this role. We are especially interested in applications from those who are from low socio-economic backgrounds, are carers or are care experienced, have accessed free school meals, are refugees or asylum seekers and those with disabilities or additional needs.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 1 May 2024.
Interviews will take place online with shortlisted candidates.
Successful applicants will ideally satisfy any one of the following criteria:
- Low household income (under £26,000).
- Are carers/have experience in the care system.
- Have accessed free school meals.
- Are a refugee.
- Are currently seeking asylum.
- Are disabled or have additional needs.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
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 youth Digital ESOL classes in Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Study programme in English, Maths, Digital skills and Cooking: Monday 10am to 3pm
Study programme in English, Maths and Digital skills: Wednesday 10am to 6pm
You can apply to volunteer in one or more sessions. Each session lasts 2 hours.
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;
Helping create “learner portraits” to understand their strengths and areas of interest;
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 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 three months;
Implementing safety measures to keep classes COVID secure;
Currently resident in the UK;
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
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.
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London, helping them to play their full part in the community. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK.
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form, using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
ABOUT THE ROLE
As part of our Community Support team, you will play a key role in ensuring the fulfilment of our users' needs by sharing information about our services, projects, and activities; this takes place in person, through our digital channels and helpline. Additionally, you will be responsible for keeping up to date information about other services and partner organisations. The primary challenge faced by the Latin American community is the language barrier, which hinders their comprehension of the UK system and their entitlements. Taking part in the Community Interpreting service, you will support service users in navigating these obstacles, enabling them to establish a more integrated life in the UK. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to better understand the challenges faced by the Latin American community in London; use their language skills in a positive and impactful way; and develop valuable administrative and customer service skills in a multicultural, fast-paced organisation.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Connecting service users to our services, projects and activities in person or by answering phone calls and emails
● Supporting users with general enquiries, referring them to relevant services within our organisation as well as signposting and referring to external services
● Registering users on our database and keeping accurate records of services offered
● Monitoring internal calendars and appointments
● Sharing useful, up-to-date information with users as instructed by other team members
● Ensuring internal communications, flyers and handouts are up to date
● Interpreting calls for service users and supporting with non-official translations
● Supporting community members with basic application forms
● Liaising with staff in other departments and with external contacts
PERSON SPECIFICATION
● Good verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish and/or Portuguese
● Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and with a diverse population of service users, staff and partners
● A caring, sensitive and non-judgemental approach
● Ability to cope with stressful and emotionally challenging issues
● Professionalism to handle sensitive and confidential information
● Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to multitask
● Ability to set their own work priorities, take initiatives and work with minimal supervision
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are currently experiencing the most significant threats to refugee protection in the UK since the UN Convention was signed in 1951.
Against this backdrop, The Asylum Reform Initiative (ARI) is an alliance of leading groups working in collaboration to secure deep-rooted change in the refugee and asylum system. It includes the British Red Cross, Citizens UK, Freedom from Torture, NACCOM, One Strong Voice, Rainbow Migration, Refugee Action, Refugee Council and Scottish Refugee Council.
The ARI incubated, launched and supports the public-facing Together With Refugees coalition, which now has over 600 national and local member organisations taking collective action to project widespread support for a positive alternative approach into public and political debate.
The Asylum Reform Initiative is now seeking to appoint its first independent Chair.
This is a unique opportunity for an inclusive, collaborative leader to work with a highly talented and committed team to develop and drive the ARI forward with passion and humility. The Chair will play an integral role in providing inclusive governance leadership, enabling each member to fulfil their duties and responsibilities and to maximise impact.
We are seeking someone with significant experience of leadership and governance, who is deeply committed to reshaping the UK’s approach to refugees and people seeking asylum. A strategic thinker who is willing to engage with relevant policy issues around refugee and asylum.
Furthermore, the ARI’s Chair will be committed to anti-racism and equity, diversity and inclusion, and in particular lived experience inclusion. They will display the highest personal standards regarding integrity and transparency, and be a positive, collaborative, and inclusive leader.
Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications: 12th May 2024
Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 20th May 2024
Interviews with the Asylum Reform Initiative: From 3rd June
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Plateful Café works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities in Lewisham. Our commitment is to reach the most vulnerable people in our community and open a pathway to employment for people who have asylum here. Refugees will benefit from workshops, training skills and knowledge relevant for the catering industry. As a small charity it is important to share information and updates through our communications and social media content, to help us fundraise and grow. We are looking for someone to assist us with updating our website including the online shop, events page and blog. The website is a key part of Plateful Café, raising awareness about the barriers to work for refugees as well as helping to share our delicious products with a broad network. By joining the team you’ll be able to put your marketing and website design skills to great use, ensuring more refugees in South-East London can share delicious food.
Duties will include:
- Keeping the website up to date, including the online shop, events page and blog
- Identifying potential content and opportunities
- Adding ideas to the content planner
- Producing analytics on a monthly basis
- Attendance at monthly web team catch-ups virtually/phone
- ad-hoc attendance at events and markets
Requirements:
- Photo editing skills
- Experience with using Wordpress and Woocommerce
- Marketing / communications experience
- Able to create interesting and engaging content
- An interest in supporting refugees and contributing to the work of Plateful Café
- Good time management skills
- Good team player
Desirable:
- SEO knowledge
- Experience of working with refugees, people seeking asylum, vulnerable groups or lived experience
- Lives in South-East London
What Will You Gain?
- Experience and insight into working with a charity and our community and play a key part in ensuring Plateful Cafe achieves its goals.
- Develop your writing, editing and website skills
- Access training opportunities available to Plateful Cafe volunteers
- Regular support with undertaking your role