Volunteer interpreter volunteer roles

Adult Casework Volunteer - Role description 

Role: Adult Casework Volunteer 

Team: Casework 

Supervised by: Adult caseworker 

Location: Tooting office on a Thursday afternoon (2-5.30pm)

Time commitment: 3.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months 

About CARAS :  

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do 

About CARAS casework:

CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support adults to navigate the asylum system, understand their options, access benefits, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues.

Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves.

About the Role:

We are currently recruiting for 2 volunteers to join our Adult Casework team. 

The purpose of the Adult Casework volunteer role is to support adults with a refugee or asylum seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum support, accessing healthcare and education, access to legal advice and finding activities and opportunities.

You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action. 

The Adult Casework team hold a support session at our office in Tooting on Thursday afternoons from 2-5.30pm.  Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members.  These can be related to a range of topics.  Currently our biggest areas of work are around housing for people seeking asylum, access to college, nursery/school places for children, referrals to mental health providers, searches and signposting to activities, finding solicitors and supporting people to apply for bus passes and ID cards.  Volunteers also support with administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources and creating information guides. 

Adult Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:  

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

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

• Assisting with filling out forms 

• Signposting and referring onto other services and organisations.  

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

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

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

• Keeping accurate casenotes 

• Supporting to maintain our signposting database 

• Researching and collating resources 

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

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

Requirements:

Essential

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

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

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

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

• A commitment to confidentiality and data protection 

• Thorough with good attention to detail 

• Reliable 

• A high level of spoken and written English 

• Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way  

• A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach 

• Enjoyment in speaking to new people 

• A commitment to working in an empowering way 

• Able to maintain boundaries 

• Able to work autonomously 

• Currently resident in the UK 

Desirable 

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

• Experience of working with interpreters 

• Direct experience of the UK immigration system.  

• Past experience of working with people seeking asylum 

• Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu or Vietnamese.  

We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process 

Benefits to Volunteering:

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies; 

•  Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Obtain a reference from us relating to your volunteering 

All volunteers must complete a basic DBS check for volunteers working with adults and attend training with us before starting.  You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. 

To Apply:

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

 Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Adult caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP. 

Successful applicants will undergo training and induction with our team. 

ABOUT 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
● Good IT skills, including in using Microsoft and Google suite packages and different database systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 
● Two references from current/previous employers
● Enhanced DBS Check (completed through IRMO)
● Safeguarding Level 1 (completed through IRMO)
● One month trial period

BENEFITS FROM VOLUNTEERING AT IRMO
● Gives the opportunity of helping others and to give back
● Creates an ideal space to learn new skills in a multicultural, cooperative and inspiring environment
● Get involved with the Latin American Community and increase knowledge of the situation of Latin American migrants in the UK
● Helps to gain experience and strengthen previous skills to face UK’s competitive job market;
● Enhance CV and get references (after a 3-month period) for further impact on the employment status
● Participate in training sessions with high-quality learning outcomes (in-house and external) in areas related to the role
● Receive regular supervision and support.

Are you fluent in Arabic, Tigrinya, Bengali, Farsi , Kurdishor any community language and live in Westminster or nearby boroughs? Join us in supporting refugees, migrants, and vulnerable individuals in your community.

We offer free legal advice to migrants , refugees and asylum seekers  for whom English is not their first language, including people in temporary accommodation or experiencing homelessness in Westminster.

Feel free to take on one role—or as many as you’d like!

Our services include:

• �� Weekly drop-in sessions every Monday at Church Street Library
• �� A dedicated Advice Line on Tuesdays and Wednesday

We have aPartnerships with Citizens Advice Westminster, Age UK Westminster, Deaf Plus, and Green Doctors

We're looking for compassionate volunteers to help us bridge language gaps and empower those in need.

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Asylum Aid runs a drop-in information hub every Monday, as well as an advice phoneline on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, where Westminster residents can get support and advice in a range of areas, such as employment, housing and immigration. We are looking for volunteers who speak one of our community languages (Arabic, Kurdish, Bengali, Tigrinya, Farsi) to support us at this information hub, as interpreters and/or administrative volunteers. There we will also be the opportunity to receive training to become an Adviser or Assessor (this requires longer than the usual 6-month minimum commitment). We particularly encourage Westminster residents to apply.

Volunteers will be trained on the job and will have to opportunity to attend thematic training, as well as receiving on-going support and supervision.

Main tasks and activities:

• Interpreting:
  • Interpreting for advisers and clients as required, depending on language skills
• Administration:
  • Responding to client queries
  • Answering the telephone
  • Assisting and registering clients who come into reception.
  • Taking messages for advisers.
  •  Printing outlook timetable and Advice pro appointments for the day.
  • Inputting data in excel and Advice pro.
  • Helping advisers with general administrative tasks such as typing letters, photocopying bundles, and telephoning clients, keeping client files or local information up to date, amending stocks of leaflets, etc.
• Gateway Assessor Role/General Advice Role
  • Conducting initial client assessments.
  • Conducting client interviews (by telephone and in person) to understand client problems and identify key information such as time limits.
  • Signposting/Referral; Referring and signposting clients appropriately (both internally and externally) following agreed protocols, including making appointments and informing clients of what they can expect.
  • Input data in excel and Advice pro.
  • Assisting clients with general form filling, making phone call to agencies to resolve simple problems with benefit, housing, employers, council, etc.
• Case Recording:
  • All clients’ cases are recorded for quality assurance purposes, and to ensure that the client can be offered an efficient service if the client requires further advice or the case becomes more complex. Your supervisor will discuss case recording with you.

We’re looking for a motivated, creative and highly organised I Am Proud Stage Manager to supervise the I Am Proud sub-team and lead the delivery of our event’s panel stage, programming entertainment that represents and celebrates the bi+ community.

Ideal time commitment: approx. 5-10 hours per month; flexible. This is likely to increase on the approach to an event.

Location: remote/ home based, in-person attendance at events is desirable.

Supported/ supervised by: the Head of Events, also working closely with volunteers in the I Am Proud Stage sub-team and Events team.

Bi Pride UK’s mission is to create spaces where people who experience attraction beyond gender can be freely visible and celebrate themselves and their identities. It’s not enough to be ‘welcome’ at Pride. We make up a very large proportion of the queer community – the 2021 Census actually shows we’re half of the community – and we deserve to be visible and celebrated in our own right.

There are many ways to make this happen, and we work in many ways to bring this change about:

• Outreach work with other Prides, LGBTQ+ organisations and bi organisations – our consultation work with local Prides, the UK Pride Organisers Network and local and national LGBTQ+ organisations works in a tailored way to make sure that bi inclusion is a top priority and is being done well
• Organising a high-profile annual Bi Pride event – from September 2019, Bi Pride UK made history with the largest ever gathering of bi people recorded. A performance stage, a panel stage, stall village, street food, and over 1,300 attendees. After going virtual with the BiFi Festival for 2020 due to Covid-19 and running a virtual Pride event in 2021, we came back in person in 2022 with a hybrid event, and have been running the event in this format ever since
• Building a strong online and virtual community – just as important as the rest of our work is making sure that people hear about it! People need to know what resources and spaces exist for them, and how they can connect with other people like them

The role:

The Events team at Bi Pride UK is one of the core operational teams within the charity. The team handles programming, production and execution of our events, including our annual flagship Bi Pride event, which holds the record for the largest Bi Pride event in the world. The I Am Proud Stage Manager will take operational responsibility for the I Am Proud Stage within Bi Pride UK’s events; a panel-based stage which spotlights intersectional discussions, interviews and activism, dedicated to the bi+ experience. 

The I Am Proud Stage Manager will lead on the planning and delivery of the I Am Proud Stage programming at Bi Pride UK’s events, and will be supported by a small team of I Am Proud Stage Assistant Managers. The I Am Proud Stage Manager will also supervise the I Am Proud Stage sub-team, as well as the I Am Proud Stage’s “on-the-day” event volunteers. The holder of this role will work to provide a programme of live entertainment that represents and celebrates bi+ people, their voices and their experiences.

Key tasks of this role will include: 

• Working closely with the Head of Events and Events Trustee, as well as volunteers across the charity, to deliver an I Am Proud Stage provision that meets the charity’s vision;
• Booking a diverse range of speakers and hosts, after contributing to assessments of each speaker’s application for suitability/ reputational risk against the aims and objectives of Bi Pride UK;
• Liaising with the venue, the venue’s technical team and speakers to arrange the logistics for the I Am Proud Stage delivery (including agreeing upon riders, stage layout and equipment, lighting and sound requirements and arrival/ panel times, etc.);
• Overseeing the completion of speaker contracts, receipt of invoices and other relevant documentation, including accurate record keeping and storage of such documents;
• Leading logistical aspects to ensure the smooth running of the I Am Proud Stage on the day of the event, including stage set up/ take down, time management/ scheduling, troubleshooting any issues arising on the I Am Proud Stage and liaising with other departments involved in the I Am Proud Stage delivery (e.g. lighting and sound technicians, streaming technicians, Artist Liaison volunteers, speakers, BSL interpreters, etc.);
• Supervising a small team of year-round volunteers (dedicated to the planning of the I Am Proud Stage programming) and a small team of “on-the-day” event volunteers (responsible for the smooth delivery of the I Am Proud Stage programming at the event);
• Maintaining positive relationships and facilitating effective communication with prospective speakers, confirmed speakers, volunteers, the venue, and any other relevant stakeholders;
• Working with the Access & Inclusion team and the Accessibility Consultant to implement their recommendations and ensure the I Am Proud Stage is fully accessible. 

Our team volunteers remotely from anywhere in the UK, with some travel required occasionally (primarily for our flagship Pride event in London in August). All reasonable expenses incurred are reimbursed, including travel, lunch at away days and other all day events, and some childcare costs if required. The successful candidate will be invited to fortnightly Events team meetings on Wednesday evenings via conference call, in addition to I Am Proud Stage programming meetings which will be scheduled in line with the team’s best availability. 

Volunteer specification:

• Interest and passion for tackling discrimination against and improving the visibility of people in the UK attracted to more than one gender;
• An understanding of the needs of people and communities in the UK attracted beyond gender;
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Bi Pride UK;
• Experience of stage management; 
• Understanding of organising event logistics (e.g. venue layout, timings, resources) and good awareness of relevant health and safety and risk management measures linked to stage-based performances;
• Ability to manage a team budget; financially planning so that a thought-provoking and high-quality programme of speakers can be booked, whilst remaining within the remit of the assigned budget;
• Some experience of overseeing a team, especially volunteers;
• Ability to handle documentation and accurate record keeping in a manner which adheres to confidentiality and GDPR requirements;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with volunteers at all levels within the organisation, as well as with external contributors (for example, speakers);
• Excellent IT skills (for example, Google Workspace applications);
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Meticulous attention to detail;
• Strong team player, with the ability to self-motivate when working remotely;
• Availability on Saturday 29th August 2026 to support delivery of Bi Pride’s flagship event in London.

The position is open to anyone over the age of 18. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially minority groups such as applicants of colour, trans and non-binary applicants and disabled and/ or neurodivergent applicants. Bi Pride UK is aware of the barriers that can be faced in gaining traditional work experience, particularly for global majority, disabled and/ or neurodivergent and trans people. We will give weight to this and encourage people when applying to consider caring responsibilities, including parenthood, volunteering, and other non-paid experiences and responsibilities when making their application.

We're looking for a motivated and highly organised Events Administrative Manager to play a central role in the smooth organisation of Bi Pride 2026. This role will provide administrative support to the Events team and supervise the newly developed Events Administration sub-team.

Ideal time commitment: approx. 5-10 hours per month; flexible. This is likely to increase on the approach to an event.

Location: remote/ home based, in-person attendance at events is desirable.

Supported/ supervised by: the Head of Events, also working closely with the Events Trustee and volunteers in the Events team.

Bi Pride UK’s mission is to create spaces where people who experience attraction beyond gender can be freely visible and celebrate themselves and their identities. It’s not enough to be ‘welcome’ at Pride. We make up a very large proportion of the queer community – the 2021 Census actually shows we’re half of the community – and we deserve to be visible and celebrated in our own right.

There are many ways to make this happen, and we work in many ways to bring this change about:

• Outreach work with other Prides, LGBTQ+ organisations and bi organisations – our consultation work with local Prides, the UK Pride Organisers Network and local and national LGBTQ+ organisations works in a tailored way to make sure that bi inclusion is a top priority and is being done well

• Organising a high-profile annual Bi Pride event – from September 2019, Bi Pride UK made history with the largest ever gathering of bi people recorded. A performance stage, a panel stage, stall village, street food, and over 1,300 attendees. After going virtual with the BiFi Festival for 2020 due to Covid-19 and running a virtual Pride event in 2021, we came back in person in 2022 with a hybrid event, and have been running the event in this format ever since

• Building a strong online and virtual community – just as important as the rest of our work is making sure that people hear about it! People need to know what resources and spaces exist for them, and how they can connect with other people like them

The role:

The Events team at Bi Pride UK is one of the core operational teams within the charity. The team handles programming, production and execution of our events, including our annual flagship Bi Pride event, which holds the record for the largest Bi Pride event in the world. This role will sit within the Events Administration sub-team, who are responsible for organising and performing administrative tasks to support the Events team to deliver smooth and highly successful events. 

We are looking for a motivated and highly organised Events Administrative Manager to play a central role in the smooth organisation of Bi Pride 2026. This role will provide administrative support to the Events team, most specifically assisting the Head of Events and Events Trustee with their administrative needs. The Events Administrative Manager will also supervise the Events Administration sub-team, helping to build up and shape this new emerging branch of the Events team. The holder of this role will join a supportive team, working with volunteers across the Events team and wider charity to contribute towards defining and improving the internal processes involved in producing Bi Pride 2026.

Key tasks of this role will include: 

• Working closely with the Head of Events and Events Trustee to ensure efficient organisation of the administrative activity relating to the Events team;

• Monitoring a shared Events team email inbox, including answering queries and escalating emails to the appropriate internal volunteer as required;

• Monitoring and maintaining a shared Events team planner, ensuring all information is up-to-date and accurate;

• Facilitating and tracking the completion of general event contributor contracts (such as consultants, catering, BSL interpreters, etc.), and maintaining accurate record keeping of the documentation;

• Receiving invoices from event contributors, maintaining accurate record keeping of these documents and sharing documentation with the Finance Team to process payments;

• Liaising with the Events team and event contributors to gather required information about the event/ contributors, and sharing this information with the Media & Comms Team in a timely manner for the production of Event related assets and promotional materials;

• Supervising a small team of year-round volunteers (dedicated to the administration of Bi Pride UK events);

• Attending regular Events Team meetings and venue visits, to contribute to the smooth planning and execution of the event.

Our team volunteers remotely from anywhere in the UK, with some travel required occasionally (primarily for our flagship Pride event in London in August). All reasonable expenses incurred are reimbursed, including travel, lunch at away days and other all day events, and some childcare costs if required. The successful candidate will attend fortnightly Events team meetings on Wednesday evenings via conference call, in addition to other possible meetings with the Events Administration sub-team and Events Trustee and Head of Events which will be scheduled in line with the team’s best availability.

Volunteer specification:

• Interest and passion for tackling discrimination against and improving the visibility of people in the UK attracted to more than one gender;

• An understanding of the needs of people and communities in the UK attracted beyond gender;

• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Bi Pride UK;

• Experience of administration in a workplace or charity role;

• Some experience of overseeing a team, especially volunteers;

• Ability to handle documentation and accurate record keeping in a manner which adheres to confidentiality and GDPR requirements;

• Confidence to suggest improvements to pre-existing administrative approaches, and create and maintain new administrative processes;

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with volunteers at all levels within the organisation, as well as with event contributors;

• Excellent IT skills (for example, Google Workspace applications);

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;

• Meticulous attention to detail;

• Strong team player, with the ability to self-motivate when working remotely.

The position is open to anyone over the age of 18. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially minority groups such as applicants of colour, trans and non-binary applicants and disabled and/ or neurodivergent applicants. Bi Pride UK is aware of the barriers that can be faced in gaining traditional work experience, particularly for global majority, disabled and/ or neurodivergent and trans people. We will give weight to this and encourage people when applying to consider caring responsibilities, including parenthood, volunteering, and other non-paid experiences and responsibilities when making their application.