Refugee support volunteer roles

Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support provides a walk-in centre in Plymouth offering needs-led, practical assistance to asylum seekers.

Our vision is to have a fair, humane and safe asylum experience for all. We are seeking a dynamic and committed Chair to lead our Board of Trustees and work in partnership with our Chief Executive to guide Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support through its next phase of development.

What will you be doing?

The Chair will provide inclusive leadership, ensure robust governance, and act as a passionate ambassador for our cause. You will be instrumental in shaping our strategy to meet the growing needs of asylum seekers in a challenging political landscape.

Location: Board meetings are held 8 times per year in Plymouth, with options for remote attendance. Some additional events and meetings may require travel.

Time Commitment: Approximately 3-4 days per month, including board meetings, preparation, and external representation. This is a voluntary, unremunerated role.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate the following: 

• A commitment to the rights, dignity, and welfare of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in need.
• Significant experience within the charity sector, ideally in both operations and governance.
• An understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a trustee and Chair under UK charity law.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to chair meetings effectively and foster a collaborative board culture.
• Proven ability to think strategically and contribute to organisational development.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to act as an ambassador for the organisation.
• A commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). 

DCRS is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Please request a copy of the candidate pack for further information.

What difference will you make?

As Chair you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of asylum seekers and refugees. 

You'll have the chance to develop and utilize your skills in a meaningful context, work with a dedicated team and access networking opportunities within the charity sector. 

Before you apply

The TrusteeWorks Team at Reach Volunteering are supporting Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support with their Trustee recruitment. Applications should be made via TrusteeWorks in the first instance.

If you want to have an informal conversation with DCRS directly to understand the organisation better we are happy to help arrange this for you.

If you wish to apply please provide an updated CV and request a copy of the application form.

Female English Support Volunteer – Help Refugee Women Thrive

Location: Maidstone or Folkestone (at the client's home or in the community) or remote via MS Teams
Commitment: Around 2 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM)

Do you want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Join the Refugee Council’s Kent Resettlement Team as a Female English Support Volunteer and help refugee women and families build confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.

About the Role

Language is one of the biggest barriers refugees face when starting a new life in the UK. By volunteering, you’ll provide a safe, friendly space for women to practise English, learn useful phrases for everyday life, and gain the confidence to navigate their new community.

You’ll work one-to-one or with small family groups in their homes, adapting activities to suit their needs. From informal conversations to creative exercises, you’ll make learning fun and practical.

What You’ll Do

• Support conversational English, reading, and writing
• Introduce everyday vocabulary (e.g., shopping, visiting a pharmacy)
• Encourage confidence and independence through engaging activities
• Work under the guidance of our ESOL Tutor and Resettlement Worker

What We’re Looking For

• Strong spoken and written English
• Friendly, patient, and supportive approach
• Ability to commit for at least 3 months
  (Experience with ESOL or teaching is helpful but not essential.)

What You’ll Gain

• Full training and ongoing support
• Skills in communication, planning, and cultural awareness
• Insight into refugee experiences and diverse cultures
• The satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a real difference

We’ll reimburse local travel and lunch expenses and provide access to training and resources.

Position Title: Language Programme Lead
Reporting to: Volunteer Leadership Team - Chair
Organisation: Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR)
Location: Sevenoaks Town and surrounding areas within the district council area
Time Commitment: 3 hours per week
Remuneration: Voluntary Position (Expenses Reimbursed)

Organisation Overview
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR) was founded in 2017 and became a registered charity in 2019. Initially focused on supporting Syrian refugees resettling in the Sevenoaks district under the UK Government Resettlement Scheme, SWR’s mission has since expanded to assist 16 refugee families from Syria and Afghanistan, as well as 50 Ukrainian families. In 2023-24, SWR raised over £70,000 to further its work, collaborating closely with local councils and partner organisations to achieve its objectives. With seven trustees, 110 active volunteers, and a supporter base of approximately 750 people, SWR is poised for a new phase of growth.

Role Overview:
As the Language Programme Lead, you will provide leadership in developing and delivering tailored language learning plans for refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Your role is crucial in promoting independence and successful integration into society for these individuals and families, aligning with the charity’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities:
● Manage the delivery of language support tailored to the individual needs of each refugee through a team of 30 or so well-motivated language volunteers, usually, but not always operating one to one. This team have delivered at least 8,000 hours of language support since the charity started.
● Be actively involved in the recruitment of new language volunteers as required.
● Oversee necessary training for language volunteers and develop the promotion of best practice across the language programme group.
● Arrange for initial assessments on the arrival of all new families into the area and producing suitable teaching programmes that link with whatever other family support is required and what other stakeholders are providing.
● Work with the Volunteer Leadership Team to provide an effective overall support for our refugee beneficiaries.
● Liaise with key stakeholders such as Kent Adult Education(KAE), and the Kent ESOL Networking Group to maintain good relationships that support the provision of our language programme.

Qualifications
A working knowledge of ESOL and associated exams and qualifications would be beneficial.
Driver’s licence and access to a car would be extremely useful, given the geographical spread of the beneficiaries in the wider Sevenoaks area. This is not a role that can be performed online.

Impact and reward:
The Language Programme Lead will play a critical role in empowering refugees to achieve greater independence and integration within their new communities. You will help our refugee beneficiaries gain the language skills, confidence, and vocational training necessary to navigate daily life, access employment opportunities, and participate fully in society. You will play a big role in transforming the lives of refugees. In some cases of refugees who are illiterate in their own language, this will be genuinely life changing.

Position Title: VLT member
Reporting to: Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) - Volunteer Lead
Organisation: Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR)
Location: Sevenoaks Town and surrounding areas within the district council area
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Remuneration: Voluntary Position (Expenses Reimbursed)
Background to the charity
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees is a local charity formed in March 2017. We are a small and growing charity, whose volunteers and supporters have come together to welcome and help support the refugees who have fled the fighting and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, and are now resettling in our community.
Starting with just one refugee family, we have expanded our efforts over the years and are proud to have supported about 50 families as they settle and rebuild their lives in our community.
Purpose of Role:
Would you like to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of refugee families as they settle into life in Britain—supporting them to achieve independence and integrate confidently into their new communities?
As a member of the SWR Voluntary Leadership Team (VLT), you will contribute to the effective delivery of core services for refugees and help support and coordinate our valued volunteers.
Our work spans general support with settling in, integration, building independence, language learning, educational guidance, and assistance in accessing suitable employment. In this role, you’ll work closely with other VLT members, with a particular focus on the general support function, collaborating with volunteer teams and ensuring they are well-informed, resourced, and confident in providing person-centred support.
This is a chance to contribute meaningfully within a growing, well-regarded charity, alongside a dedicated and compassionate team of volunteers who share your passion for helping others.
Key Responsibilities:
● Support communication between lead volunteers and central SWR services to help source equipment or assistance for families.
● Help oversee the changing needs of families, recognising that support levels will gradually reduce as independence builds.
● Collaborate with local authority support workers where families are still receiving formal assistance.
● Assist in developing and tracking Path to Independence Plans for families.
● Liaise with team leads across Education, Language, and Employment functions.
● Keep the Volunteer Lead and wider VLT informed as appropriate.
Skills & Qualities Needed
You should be:
● Compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental
● A good communicator, both in writing and in person
● Organised, with strong attention to detail
● Flexible and culturally sensitive to varying family needs
● Reasonably confident with IT tools (email, shared files, online forms, etc.)
Experience in teaching, social care, or charity work is useful, but not essential. A genuine interest in helping others and working collaboratively is most important.
Support & Training Provided
All SWR volunteers are expected to complete an induction, including mandatory safeguarding training. We also provide training on cultural awareness to help volunteers support families sensitively and effectively.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to highlight any specific adjustments that would enable you to participate fully in the recruitment process.

Position Title: Deputy Volunteer Lead
Reporting to: Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) - Volunteer Lead
Organisation: Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR) 
Location: Sevenoaks Town and surrounding areas within the district council area
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Remuneration: Voluntary Position (Expenses Reimbursed)

Background to the charity
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees is a local charity formed in March 2017. We are a small and growing charity, whose volunteers and supporters have come together to welcome and help support the refugees who have fled the fighting and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, and are now resettling in our community.
Starting with just one refugee family, we have expanded our efforts over the years and are proud to have supported about 50 families as they settle and rebuild their lives in our community.

Purpose of Role:
Would you like to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of refugee families as they settle into life in Britain—supporting them to achieve independence and integrate confidently into their new communities?
As Deputy Volunteer Lead, you will be an integral part of the SWR Voluntary Leadership Team (VLT), which oversees both our core services for refugees and the coordination and welfare of our valued volunteers.
Our work spans general support with settling in, integration, building independence, language learning, educational guidance, and assistance in accessing suitable employment. You will work closely with the Volunteer Lead on the VLT, with a particular focus on the general support function.
Each refugee family is supported by a small group of volunteers, led by a designated lead volunteer. In this role, you’ll collaborate directly with these volunteer teams, ensuring they are supported, informed, and empowered to deliver high-impact, person-centred support.
This is an opportunity to join a growing, well-regarded, and professional charity, working alongside dedicated and compassionate volunteers who share your passion for helping others.
Key Responsibilities: ● Act as a bridge between the lead volunteers and central SWR services to source the equipment and help needed by the families. ● See over the welfare and requirements of the families which will change incrementally over time. The level of support should gradually diminish as the families become more independent. ● Liaise with local government support workers where families are still receiving support from them. ● Help establish and monitor the family Path to Independence Plans. ● Liaise with Education, Language and Employment specialities. ● Keep the VLT and Volunteer Lead up to date as needed.
Skills & Qualities Needed
You need to be:
● compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental
● good at communication
● organized with good attention to detail.
● flexible and adaptable to different family needs and cultural backgrounds.
● reasonably IT literate
It would help if you had an employment background of teaching, social services or other service related charities - BUT it is not essential.
Support & Training Provided
All SWR volunteers are expected to complete an induction, including mandatory safeguarding training. We also provide training on cultural awareness to help volunteers support families sensitively and effectively.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to highlight any specific adjustments that would enable you to participate fully in the recruitment process.

Position Title: Family Liaison
Reporting to: Volunteer Leadership Team - Family Support Lead
Organisation: Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR)
Location: Swanley or able to travel to Swanley
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Remuneration: Voluntary Position (Expenses Reimbursed)

Organisation Overview
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees is a local charity formed in March 2017. We are a small and growing charity, whose volunteers and supporters have come together to welcome and help support the refugees who have fled the fighting and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, and are now resettling in our community.
Starting with just one refugee family, we have expanded our efforts over the years and are proud to have supported about 50 families as they settle and rebuild their lives in our community.

Purpose of Role:
Would you like to make a crucial difference for the better to the life and welfare of a refugee family as they settle into life in Britain helping them to achieve independence and social integration in their new surroundings? As a Family Liaison, you will be a vital friendly link and mentor for the family to help them navigate through difficulties that they may encounter on their path to independent living in our district. It is a very important and rewarding role.
Key Responsibilities: ● Where the family is new, help them to settle in and pass on requests for help and equipment. ● See over the welfare and requirements of the family which will change incrementally over time. The level of support should gradually diminish as the family becomes more independent. ● Liaise with local government support workers (Refugee Council) as needed while the family is still receiving support from them. ● Liaise with the team around the family - general support, language and education - so that they work together; moderate a Whatsapp group for all volunteers supporting the family, whatever their role. ● Encourage and monitor the family’s path to independence ● Liaise with Education, Language and Employment specialities.
● Keep the Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Family Support Lead up to date as needed.
Skills & Qualities Needed

You need to be:
● compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental
● good at communication
● organized with good attention to detail.
● flexible and adaptable to different family needs and cultural backgrounds.
● reasonably IT literate
It would help if you had a background in health, teaching, social services or other service related charities - BUT it is not essential, a practical attitude is needed.

Time and location
The weekly commitment might be 1-2 hours particularly initially, tapering down as the families become more independent. This is not an online job and the family is located in Swanley.

Support & Training Provided As well as general training for SWR volunteers on the essentials such as safeguarding and cultural awareness, we run workshops to find out more about how we can help children in their path through education, language learning and other matters that may be relevant. The VLT will ensure that the Family Liaison has support and backup as required and a mentor will be appointed to help a new Family Liaison in the initial stages of taking up the role.

Founded in 1997, the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants provides a place for refugees, migrants, and people seeking asylum to rebuild their life with support and community. From classes to casework to financial assistance, the Centre has a wide offering available for our community of over 200 people. Our approach is compassionate and human and the support we offer is long term - on average people stay with us around four years.

The current Board brings a wide range of charity and public body experience including strategy and fundraising and we are looking for skills to both enhance and complement these strengths.

The Centre has a dedicated and talented staff team led by our CEO, Andy Ruiz Palma, who joined in 2000 as an English teacher. In addition to this staff resource we have around 40 volunteers who provide direct support through activities. We also have in place accountancy support to the executive and a dedicated fundraising team.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate a strong empathy with our client group and who understand how to work with organisations rooted in a local community. You will bring excellent people and communication skills and demonstrate good team-working.

We are open to applications from people looking for their first Trustee role or who may not have considered being a Trustee before and will provide mentoring to help trustees find their feet.

We are looking to recruit a deputy treasurer with:

A good understanding of financial management and reporting

A recognised accounting, finance or similar qualification

Ability to analyse and communicate financial information to the wider Board

Willingness to provide financial advice and support to the management team as needed

Knowledge and experience of fundraising finance practice in voluntary and community organisations (desirable)

About CARAS: 

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

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

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

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

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

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

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

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

About Youth Club:

Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.

Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7B

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer Football Assistants to support our Football sessions on Mondays, 5.30-7pm in Balham.

Football coaching sessions are led by Fulham FC Kicks programme weekly, supported by CARAS volunteers to offer welcome to young people.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities

· Welcoming young people to the session;

· Helping young people to register for sessions;

· Join in and be role model for young refugees and asylum seekers;

· Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

· Following FULHAM FC safeguarding policy and 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;

· 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 Monday evenings for a minimum of four months;

· Currently resident in the UK;

- A love of football, and wanting to encourage others to play.

· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check (residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

· 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;

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

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;

· Develop your skills and competencies;

· Be able to access relevant training;

Our Second Home (OSH) is the UK’s youth movement of people with refugee backgrounds. We have welcomed over 600 young people from 50 countries to our activities in London, Essex and Bristol.

Mission

For young people with refugee experience to build community, become leaders and flourish into adulthood in the place they call home. Through transformative activities, our members take control of their lives and create meaningful change for themselves and their wider community.

About This Role

OSH is at a pivotal point in its development.

Over the past few years, OSH has grown from a small, founder-led organisation into a national movement with increasing reach, complexity, and ambition. Our income has risen from £250,000 to £500,000, our staff and volunteer base is expanding, and our programmes are reaching more young people than ever before.

OSH now needs confident, experienced, and future-focused governance that can support scaling while protecting the culture, values, and relational way of working that make the organisation distinctive.

Your role will involve 4 main areas:

1. Board Leadership and Governance
2. Strategy and Organisational Leadership
3. CEO Support, Appraisal, and Accountability
4. External Representation and Engagement

More information is in the recruitment pack attached.

About You

Essential

• Significant experience in organisational and strategic leadership, ideally including guiding a charity or mission-driven organisation from small to medium scale
• A proactive and forward-thinking mindset, demonstrating the ability to anticipate potential issues and risks while identifying opportunities.
• Strong understanding of good governance, with the confidence to lead a board and hold senior executives to account
• Experience of or exposure to fundraising, financial sustainability, and organisational development
• The ability to balance support and challenge, particularly in a Chair - CEO relationship
• Commitment to OSH’s mission and values, including a genuine willingness to engage with and be guided by those with lived experience of the asylum system
• Highly organised and dynamic, with the ability to prioritise the effective use of Board time, facilitate the timely and focused distribution of information, and ensure appropriate follow-up to Board decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the emotional intelligence to lead inclusively, collaboratively, and sensitively

Desirable

• Lived experience of asylum or forced migration
• Previous experience as a Chair or Vice-Chair of a charity or similar organisation
• Experience working with youth-led or lived-experience-led organisations
• Familiarity with safeguarding in youth or community settings

About CARAS:

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

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

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

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

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

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

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

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

About the CARAS ESOL Team:

Our 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 Monday mornings: 

• ESOL Entry 2+ level: 1:30am to 2:30pm (plus a 10-minute debrief) 

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; 

• 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 lessons; 

• 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;  

• 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 

• UK resident; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

*DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK. 

Desirable  

• Knowledge of community languages, such as (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. 

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

Do you live in Wales and want to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people?

We are offering 2 young people aged 18-25 the opportunity to volunteer with the Portuguese Red Cross in Braga, Portugal. Next placement dates are planned for: 5th January - end of August 2026.

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 Portuguese Red Cross undertake in Braga. 

Typical tasks may involve:

• Supporting the charity shop, Ponto Vermelho, with social media, sorting donations and organising the displays.
• Supporting in the Youth Centre for the Roma Community – organising and delivering activities, helping with homework.
• Supporting in the Foster Care for Unaccompanied Minor Refugees.
• Supporting the Social Kindergarten.
• Assisting with projects which help the homeless and the elderly.
• Assisting in the writing of project proposals and funding bids.

It's a fantastic opportunity to get involved in 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! These are fully funded placements, with return flights, accommodation and health insurance covered - volunteers receive a small monthly stipend for living expenses.

Please note that only young people based in Wales can apply for this role, as it is Taith funded. Interviews will take place online with shortlisted candidates.

We are keen to hear from individuals especially those who do not normally get the chance to volunteer overseas, who are passionate and motivated about working in the humanitarian sector and international volunteering but who also understand that these types of placements require adaptability and resilience. 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.

About CARAS: 

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

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

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

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

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

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

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

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

About Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

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

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

We also run Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon classes open to all existing CARAS youth community members, 4:30pm to 6pm. These classes tend to be larger and have a large range of language levels. 

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

• Monday 10 am to 3pm

• Tuesday 2pm to 6pm 

• Wednesday 11am to 6pm

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

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

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

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

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements 

Essential: 

• To be 18 years or older;

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel and food expenses can be reimbursed);

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

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

• To be reliable and punctual. We ask volunteers to commit to at least one class every week for a minimum of 4 months. If you are unable to attend a class due to a planned holiday, you must inform the program lead in advance. 

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;

• The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum seeker or refugee status

• *Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check (DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

*DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK. 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

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

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies; 

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

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

To Apply: 

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

 All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. 

Role: ESOL Mentor

Time Commitment: 1 hour a week

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people seeking safety and a fresh start?

At Baca, we support our young people to achieve an increase in personal safety, social engagement and engagement with education. We also support them to improve their physical and emotional wellbeing.

The Volunteer Team roles are designed to help provide extra support regarding the development of our young people, who are 16-18-year-old unaccompanied asylum seekers and refugees. The ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) mentoring team is an essential part of the young people’s learning and development with their education. We have seen a significant difference in some young people’s confidence with their learning through this project and it has therefore become one of our core activities.

Each ESOL mentor is matched with either one or two young people, and they will support their young people with their ESOL learning from arrival at Baca, through to when those young people start college externally. The length of time is dependent on the young person and their level of education and confidence when they join us. The ESOL mentor role supports the following three main outcomes:

• Improved ability to use English Language
• Improved self confidence
• Increased positive interactions within the local community

Our mentors must have a passion for serving young un-accompanied asylumseeking children and be fully sympathetic to the purpose of Baca and the needs and circumstances of the young people we support. 

The purpose of the role is to design and facilitate gardening activities at our community allotment with refugees and people seeking asylum, alongside our other gardening volunteers.

The role includes:

• planning and facilitating seasonal gardening activities with small groups
• supporting participants to bring their own ideas, work independently or lead their own activities where appropriate, providing support and guidance as needed
• fostering a positive culture of support and community
• raising any safeguarding or support concerns with our People Support Team
• setting up/packing down around sessions, generally contributing to the smooth running of sessions
• maintaining tools
• contributing to overall running of the charity (attending monthly online meetings, taking on organisational tasks)
• maintaining participant confidentiality
• attending training sessions as needed

At the garden we run gardening, art and craft activities. Through these sessions we maintain our beautiful community garden, grow and harvest vegetable/fruit crops and create wildlife and social areas. We always try to make sure there are a range of activities to choose from to fit with a range of energy/ability levels. All new ideas for activities to do at the garden are welcome!

Our sessions are on Tuesday mornings and afternoons and Friday mornings

Gardening expertise is not necessary for this role, although it is always very welcome.

As this is an on site role we will consider applicant who are based in Greater Manchester,UK.