Teaching volunteer roles

Background Information

This English School is located in Pablo Nogues. In the past, this school has had to face many problems which have completely changed Silvia's original plan. She began the school with three other teachers through the concept of an affordable school for the children of the town whose parents belong to the working class. However, because the school functions without any funding from the government and because of the economic crisis, the lack of financial support almost forced Silvia to declare bankruptcy because she could no longer pay the teachers. Without change, the school would have had to close but thanks to Armin, one of the founders of Voluntario Global, they were able to find a solution and keep the doors of this invaluable place open. Instead of paying teachers, Armin helped with the creation of a cooperative that will give older students the opportunity to teach younger students with the help of volunteers. So now the school hires their own graduate students to teach in the classrooms and thus gives them the opprotunity to have experience in order to find a formal job.
 

Why is this project important for the community?

Although there are no professional teachers, the volunteer teachers provide a rich and cultured education. Other English schools are between three to five times more expensive than this one, therefore, parents living in nearby neighborhoods are not able to send all of their children to study English. This is why the school is important for the community; it allows all the children to have the same opportunities and access to education, and it is also a way to fight for social justice. There is a lack of infrastructure, such as running water and paved roads in this particular neighbourhood and it is also known to be “left aside” because the state does not intervene. However, the school helps the families and also the young people of the town, because it also provides a first-job opportunity to students that are more advanced. This allows students to have a disposable income with which they can travel; an almost foreign opportunity to most.

Volunteer’s Role

The volunteers use their knowledge of English to help the students in group classes. The presence of native speakers evidently is very helpful to the children’s learning of the language.

Your role in the school will be proportionate to your level of Spanish and the amount of time you can volunteer for. Consequently, this program is ideal for undergraduate students of modern languages on a year abroad, particularly those interested in teaching. If your Spanish and/or time is limited, you will be able to assist classes.

What can you learn as a volunteer?

Learning is a two-way street because the volunteer also learns through this experience. Their official duties are to assist the teenaged teachers, help them with pronunciation or grammatical rules, correct homework, read and explain to the children the basic elements of the language. Moreover, they can also help the oldest students get ready for international exams. This work allows the volunteer to exchange with people from different cultures, mainly thanks to the mix between communities from various countries of Latin America. Furthermore, teaching is the perfect exercise to learn how to speak to an audience and to get its attention. The volunteer learns to communicate with the youngest children who don't speak English correctly, and is able to learn how to adapt quickly and use other means of communication. Above all, the volunteer is able to create relationships with their students that will go beyond the classroom.

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 award-winning ESOL project offers 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 face-to-face adult ESOL classes in Tooting. Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session every Wednesday during these times: 

• Mondays ESOL 9:30 to 13:30

• Tuesday 9:30 to 11:30

• Tuesday One-to-one employability and language learning support 15:00 to 17:00 

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; 

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

• 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 Mondays or Wednesdays during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three 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; 

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

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

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 Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

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

• Monday 10am - 3pm
• Tuesday 2pm - 6pm
• Wednesday 11am - 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;

• 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 

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: 

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 with email subject header “Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”. 

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. 

Help children across Latin America improve their English while you build real teaching English online skills. We provide full induction and ongoing support. No prior teaching experience required.

What you’ll do:

• Teach live, online English lessons to children and youth in Latin America (lesson plans and materials provided)

• Collaborate with a supportive team during brief planning sessions

• Inspire learners while developing your own teaching confidence

What you’ll gain:

• Practical EFL teaching experience in an international setting

• Training, mentoring, and a Certificate of Service on completion

• Development of leadership, communication, and adaptability skills

• (Optional) Hours that may support university credit/placement—check with your institution

Time commitment (UK time):

• Mon: 8:00–11:00 pm BST (7:00–10:00 pm GMT)

• Tue–Fri: 9:00–11:00 pm BST (8:00–10:00 pm GMT)

• Approx. 11–12 hours per week.
  (Note: UK times shift by one hour when clocks change.)

Upcoming volunteer sessions:

• 21 October 2025 – 27 February 2026 (break: 13 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026)

• 7 January 2026 – 27 March 2026

• 24 February 2026 - 8 May 2026

What we’re looking for:

• Reliable, empathetic volunteers who enjoy working with children

• Fluent English and willingness to learn how to teach English

• Stable internet and a quiet space for Zoom lessons

VSO, in partnership with the Uzbekistan government, is looking for experienced teaching professionals to help strengthen the teaching of English language at secondary school level and build the capacity of in-service teachers.

This is a unique opportunity to share your expertise and skills, collaborate with local educators, and contribute to sustainable improvements in English language teaching in schools across Uzbekistan. As a volunteer English language teacher, you will work alongside Uzbek teachers, delivering school curriculum lessons, professional development and coaching workshops. You’ll support teachers and students in enhancing their English language proficiency, adopting student-centred methodologies, and implementing international best practices. Your experience will help shape the future of English language teaching in Uzbekistan. 

ABOUT IRMO

IRMO works to enable the development, agency, and participation of Latin Americans and other Spanish and Portuguese speakers, by responding to both immediate needs and structural inequalities. We do this by offering high-quality information and advice services, opportunities for development and training, and a platform to seek social and systemic change. Our work is organised across three main operational areas - Advice and Casework; Education, Training and Employment; Children and Young People - and a cross-cutting area -Advocacy, Research, Policy Mapping and Campaigning.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role sits within our Education, Training and Employment Area, which provides online ESOL classes and conversation classes to our service users. You will be responsible for using a syllabus as a guidance and teaching and materials from our bank of resources, along with a variety of audiovisual aids, to teach the four basic English language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing to Latin American migrants and refugees.

We are seeking volunteers holding either a formal teaching qualification (CELTA, CertESOL or similar) or prior experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages. 

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, prepare and deliver high-quality lessons via Zoom

• Provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for learners

• Prepare and set tests, examination papers and exercises as appropriate

• Mark and provide relevant feedback on oral and written work

• Keep classes on track according to the syllabus/learning outcomes instructed

• Ensure learners’ participation during classes and monitor attendance;

• Create a safe and inclusive learning environment, identify gaps and adapt activities to learners’ needs

• Undertake administrative tasks, such as keeping student registers and attendance records as required

• Outcome and impact measurement for class students at the end of each course as relevant

About Roots Academy. 

Roots Academy’s Vision.

A generation of young Muslims who embody and promote a God-centred way of life.

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries. Our Mission is to deliver a structured and transformative education in the Essentials of Islam in a way that lowers barriers to access, develops a deep certainty, and inspires action.

Why Does Roots Academy Exist?

Crisis of Faith: 1 in 4 young Muslims are leaving the religion due to various factors, primarily the pervasive anti-religious content and temptations they encounter online and offline. 

Roots Academy exists to bridge this gap by providing a structured and transformative Islamic education that speaks directly to the needs and challenges of young Muslims today, delivered in an engaging and accessible form that removes barriers to access and provokes thought and action.

Role Summary

As part of teaching at Roots, instructors are supplied with many teaching resources to help them teach the Roots way, such as instructor slides, teaching notes and walk-through videos.
Your role at Roots is to produce well-curated teaching notes, to ensure instructors understand the content and know exactly what is being taught.

Key tasks

• Assessing the current standard of teacher note 

• Taking on the role of editor/proofreader of all academic content

• Have a keen eye for detail such as grammar, language and punctuation

What we’re looking for

• Has a keen eye for detail

• Has experience in copy editing 

• Able to prioritise and organise workload

• Has some experience in assessing the quality of educational material

What we have to offer

• Be part of a team of 100+ dedicated volunteers across the UK, Ireland, Canada, US, UAE, and Australia.

• Receive continuous rewards for those that seek Islamic knowledge from the Roots platform. 

• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective.

• Professional development and practical experience in design and digital marketing.

• Receive in-house tarbiyah (personal & spiritual development) sessions to develop your deen.

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position. 

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy. 

1. You have a native level of English and either hold a qualification in teaching English as a foreign language or are working towards one.

Please note: We may consider applications from teachers who hold no English teaching qualifications, nor are working towards one, but who have teaching experience.

1. You will be responsible, organised and have good timekeeping.
2. You will be flexible and creative in your preparation of varied and interesting lessons.
3. You will be an open-minded individual with a patient and approachable manner.
4. You will have the ability to listen, communicate and engage with people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, cultures and abilities with a non-judgemental approach. 
5. In order to be successful for this role it is essential that you have a native level of English and have some knowledge of teaching English.

 What would you gain?

1. Increase your own self-confidence and teaching skills.
2. Have the chance to work with a variety of different people and make a real difference to their lives.
3. Volunteer as part of a team in a friendly and dynamic environment.
4. Learn new skills that could be helpful for future employment opportunities or further learning.
5. Gain valuable knowledge and experience of working in the Charity sector.
6. Attend to social and cultural events organised by LADPP.
7. Have the possibility to practice other languages. 
8. Make friends and have fun!

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.

Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.

What you will do as a prison volunteer:

• Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
• Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
• Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
• Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.

Who we are looking for:

• Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
• Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
• Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
• Someone who is an excellent team worker.
• Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.

Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.

You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers. 

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.

About Roots Academy 

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 1,800 students across the UK.

Role Summary

As part of teaching at Roots, instructors are supplied with many teaching resources to help them teach the Roots way, such as instructor slides, teaching notes and walk-through videos.
Your role at Roots is to produce well-curated teaching notes, to ensure instructors understand the content and know exactly what is being taught.

Key tasks

• Assessing the current standard of teacher note 

• Taking on the role of editor/proofreader of all academic content

• Have a keen eye for detail such as grammar, language and punctuation

What we’re looking for

• Has a keen eye for detail

• Has experience in copy editing 

• Able to prioritise and organise workload

• Has some experience in assessing the quality of educational material

What we have to offer

• Be part of a team of 100+ dedicated volunteers from across the country.

• Receive continuous rewards for those that seek Islamic knowledge from the Roots platform. 

• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective.

• Receive in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen. 

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position. 

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy. 

Support Hongkongers to learn and practise English in a welcoming and friendly setting

Organisation: Meridian Wellbeing

Location: Remote (online sessions)

Type: Volunteer

Time commitment:

• 1 session per week (2 to 2.5 hours)

• Initial sessions are expected to take place around lunchtime

• Evening or weekend sessions may be introduced in future based on participant availability

• Final session times will be discussed and agreed in advance with each volunteer

Minimum commitment: 3 months

About Us

Meridian Wellbeing is an independent charity working to improve the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of individuals and communities in Barnet. As part of our ongoing support for Hongkongers who have settled in the UK via the BN(O) visa route, we are launching informal, volunteer-led online English sessions to help participants build confidence in using English in everyday life.

We know that many newcomers from Hong Kong face challenges accessing traditional ESOL courses due to long working hours, family commitments, or limited local services. Our project offers an alternative: flexible, accessible, and welcoming English learning spaces run by volunteers.

We are currently recruiting for two volunteer roles:

1. Volunteer ESOL Teacher (Online)

We are looking for a volunteer with a recognised English teaching qualification to lead weekly online ESOL classes (entry level). Sessions are informal but structured, with a focus on everyday communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver weekly English classes online (2–2.5 hours per session)
• Prepare simple, tailored lesson plans and resources
• Encourage participation in a safe, inclusive environment
• Collaborate with the team and help monitor engagement

Requirements:

• ESOL/TEFL/CELTA/TESOL qualification (required)
• Experience working with English learners (desirable)
• Confident using Zoom or similar platforms (training provided as required)
• Experience managing group sessions/classes
• Friendly, patient and culturally aware
• Fluent or highly proficient in spoken English (native-level fluency preferred)
• Available for lunchtime sessions, with potential flexibility for evening or weekend sessions in future.

2. Volunteer Conversation Café Facilitator (Online)

We’re also seeking facilitators to host informal group sessions where Hongkongers can practise English through conversation. No teaching qualifications are needed — just a warm personality and willingness to support others.

Key Responsibilities:

• Host or co-host weekly conversation sessions online (2–2.5 hours)
• Use topics or prompts to encourage group discussion
• Help create a welcoming, supportive environment
• Respect and support participants with different English levels

Requirements:

• Fluent or highly proficient in spoken English (native-level fluency preferred)
• Friendly and confident leading small groups
• Able to use Zoom (training provided as required)
• Available for lunchtime sessions, with potential flexibility for evening or weekend sessions in future.

What You’ll Gain:

• Make a real difference in people’s lives
• Develop skills in teaching and group facilitation
• Be part of a supportive and inclusive team
• Receive basic training and ongoing guidance

Note: All volunteers will need to complete a DBS check. Cantonese language skills are not required.

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.

Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.

What you will do as a prison volunteer:

• Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
• Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
• Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
• Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.

Who we are looking for:

• Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
• Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
• Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
• Someone who is an excellent team worker.
• Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.

Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.

You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers. 

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.

Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.

What you will do as a prison volunteer:

• Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
• Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
• Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
• Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.

Who we are looking for:

• Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
• Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
• Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
• Someone who is an excellent team worker.
• Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.

Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.

You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers. 

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.

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.

NOTE: If you require a visa to stay in Greece for the minimum ten-week commitment, please know that as a Greek NGO, we are unable to sponsor your visa.

How to apply:

Please send the following to Giovanni Fontana at: volunteers @ secondtree . org

1. Your CV

2. Your cover letter

3. Copy of your qualifications (If applicable)

In your mail, please:

1. Put “Adult Education Coordinator” as the subject line

2. Specify the dates you would be available to volunteer (starting date and length)

3. At the end of the email, copy-paste the link of the ad you are responding to

If the application includes all of these we will get back to you in a maximum of 48hs.