Volunteer English Teachers For Refugees 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, and helps them to play their full part in the community. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives. 

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

About the CARAS Adult Team: 

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

About the Role: 

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

Volunteer Tasks and responsibilities: 

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

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

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

· Create class registers and records as required. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Requirements: 

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

· To be female identifying. 

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

· To be reliable and punctual. 

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

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

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

· Current resident in the UK. 

· Ability to work in Tooting SW17. 

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

· To attend CARAS General and Safeguarding Training sessions. 

· To be 18 years or older. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

· Meet new members of your local community 

· Learn about different cultures 

· Learn about issues relating to refugee and asylum seekers 

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team 

· Develop your skills and competencies 

· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding 

To Apply: 

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

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

The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support refugees and asylum seekers in learning English in its project in Lambeth.

Who we are:

ACAA works to empower and support refugees and asylum seekers by providing vital services that enable successful integration. These include English classes, mentoring, drop-in advice sessions, a legal surgery, employment and education training, counter-extremism workshops and youth and women's engagement services.

Role Summary:

Working as part of a small dynamic ESOL teaching team, responsibility for lesson planning and delivery will be shared between yourself and more experienced teachers. You will have the opportunity to shadow teachers and gain practical teaching experience before leading lessons. Classes meet in-person in Lambeth on evenings weekdays.

Duties will include:

• Assisting a Head Teacher in preparing and delivering lessons

• Help in admin and logistics for classes such as taking attendance

• Supporting and motivating students to allow them to grow and enhance their

  own skills by both achieving qualifications and becoming ready for work

Personal requirements:

• Previous teaching experience is desirable, but not essential as support is provided

• Interest in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in education access

• Excellent verbal communication skills

• Good listening skills

• DBS checked or willingness to be

• Planning and organisational skills

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.

We are looking to recruit people to one of the following four roles within our youth programme, for a minimum commitment of 10 weeks, and whilst these should guide applications, imagination and flexibility is encouraged when applying.  Currently, the youth programme works with young refugees and asylum seekers across two sites, providing them with a sense of community and experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise receive!

There are some specific applicant requirements, however the most important is to have a strong desire to work with refugees and a commitment to improve the situation for them here in Greece.  Second Tree works in a transparent way in a challenging and changeable situation on the field; therefore, an ability to learn quickly and be open to feedback is vital.

We are looking to recruit people to one of the following four roles within our youth programme, and whilst these should guide applications, imagination and flexibility is encouraged when applying. 

The roles are:

• Children’s ESL teacher: responsible for the delivery of the programme’s English classes across two sites.  Classes focus on low level English learning and must be fun and engaging. TEFL/equivalent experience is required.
• Scout/excursion leader: responsible for leading the weekend excursions for both camps, a highlight of the programme for participants! Excursions are based generally on the Scout model and require an organised, methodical planner who is confident leading groups of children.
• Arts and crafts specialist: responsible for using knowledge of art, music and practical skills to plan creative workshops within the existing curriculum. Assist the programme lead and scout leader when organising and partaking in excursions.
• Science/maths specialist: responsible for using knowledge of science and maths to plan creative and engaging workshops within the existing curriculum. Assist the programme lead and scout leader when organising and partaking in excursions.

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

Skills Desired:

• Experience with teenagers in educational and leisure activities
• Experience working as a Scout leader or in other leadership roles
• Knowledge of pedagogical tools and programs suitable for children/vulnerable people.

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.

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.

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.

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

In this role, you’ll be coordinating the implementation of language classes and associated tasks at two refugee camps: Katsikas and Agia Eleni.

The majority of the students are from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The sites have two to four English classes each day, which are differentiated by English ability from A0 to A2. 

Role description

You will…

• Coordinate and manage daily operations of the adult education program
• Develop the program in coordination with the Programs Manager
• Assess impact and effectiveness against program objectives
• Ensure that teachers are equipped with the necessary knowledge to complete their administrative tasks to a high standard and in a timely fashion
• Conduct regular class observations, providing teachers with quality feedback on their teaching
• Provide new teachers with key insights into language teaching in the refugee context
• Ensure inductions to and exits from the education team are smooth and effective, including successful handover of classes between teachers
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders and represent Second Tree in relevant external meetings
• Capture and compile monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) reports in line with program deadlines
• Ensure overall management of the program, guaranteeing quality and relevance

Skills 

You have…

• University Degree in Education/Teaching
• Certificate in English language teaching (TEFL/TESOL/CELTA or equivalent)
• Experience in developing and delivering teacher training

You are able to…

• Oversee the daily activities of the adult education team
• Ensure that teachers’ needs are met and that they in turn meet the requirements of their roles
• 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
• Communicate in English at a C2 level, both written and orally
• Manage individuals effectively to create a positive team environment in which shared problem solving is encouraged
• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring all deadlines are met
• Manage a wide-ranging workload

Knowledge 

You understand and possess knowledge of…

• Education in emergencies concepts
• The refugee crisis and its impact and trajectory
• The needs of refugee students and can adapt content, programming and best practices to meet these needs
• The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and how to develop syllabi in line with it
• Assessment and evaluation procedures, and how to prepare students for language proficiency test
• Adult refugee projects and opportunities for further learning and employment
• Research on adult learning strategies and pedagogies, especially for illiterate or semi-literate adults
• ESL/EFL lesson planning procedures
• ESL/EFL methodologies, theories and techniques
• 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.

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)