Action for refugees in lewisham volunteer roles
Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a dynamic local charity established in 2006. We support asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis.
We are a team of 15 majority part-time paid staff (9 FTE) and over 100 volunteers. AFRIL works with residents in Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley. In the last 12 months AFRIL has supported over 750 individuals.
AFRIL’s Casework and Advocacy Team provides complex casework and legal interventions in the areas of housing and homelessness, Asylum Support, Benefits, No Recourse to Public Funds and Community Care. AFRIL also offers community activities to the residents of a local Asylum Support Hotel. Activities are arranged in situ at the hotel, as well through trips and outings.
Your duties will include:
Community Activities Volunteer
● Arrive promptly to support AFRIL staff to set up the Community Activitysession which, depending on the day, could include:
○ Arts & craft activities
○ ESOL / english conversation practice
○ It is also possible you will support a group on an outing to amuseum, to AFRIL’s Allotment of Refuge or to another location.
● As a volunteer, your role during these activities will involve supporting the staff to deliver the relevant activities, and will specifically include:
○ Engage all participants in a warm and friendly manner, making all feel welcome and involved
○ Support new participants to complete the registration forms, and log attendances on the register
○ Putting out resources, materials, games and actively support participation in such activities
○ Arranging and distributing food and drink to members
○ Helping the group to navigate safely if out on trips
Outreach Volunteer
● Arrive promptly at 12.15pm to support AFRIL staff to set up the Outreach Advice session.
○ Welcome clients to the drop in, provide an overview of how AFRIL can support, record basic information to pass onto AFRIL caseworkers
○ Oversee a queue system of those seeking advice from Caseworkers
○ Provide clients with refreshments, build rapport and field basic questions about the outreach session whilst clients are waiting
Duties for both roles also include:
● Undertake comprehensive training (including safeguarding training) to support you in carrying out your volunteer role.
● Uphold AFRIL’s values when working alongside staff, volunteers and clients, and follow AFRIL’s policies and procedures at all times.
● Be vigilant of any safeguarding concerns and report these swiftly to AFRIL staff.
AFRIL’s Community Activities & Outreach Volunteer will have the opportunity to volunteer at AFRIL’s Community Activity sessions (weekly) and Outreach Advice sessions (fortnightly). The volunteers will provide friendly and professional support to participants, collect basic information and support AFRIL staff where appropriate.
Our volunteers are crucial in supporting AFRIL staff to obtain the best outcomes for our clients, and this role will provide you with valuable insight into the immigration system and its many challenges.
Please submit the application form alongside your CV. Please cite the position in the title of the email.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a dynamic local charity established in 2006. We support asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis.
We are a team of 15 majority part-time paid staff (9FTE) and over 100 volunteers. Our office is based in the Leemore Centre in central Lewisham. AFRIL works with residents in Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley. In the last 12 months AFRIL has supported over 750 individuals.
AFRIL’s Casework and Advocacy Team provides complex casework and legal interventions in the areas of housing and homelessness, Asylum Support, Benefits, No Recourse to Public Funds and Community Care. AFRIL also offers community activities to the residents of a local Asylum Support Hotel. Activities are arranged in situ at the hotel, as well through trips and outings.
AFRIL’s ESOL support volunteers will work with AFRIL’s Community Activities Coordinator to provide friendly and professional ESOL and English Conversation activities to participants.
Your duties will include:
-
Arrive promptly to support AFRIL staff to set up the ESOL / English Conversation activity.
-
You will work with the Community Activities Coordinator to plan activities and sessions according to the appropriate level of the participants’ English.
-
You will engage participants in the activities, supporting them to take part, improving their English and confidence.
Other duties also include:
-
Undertake comprehensive training (including safeguarding training) to support you in carrying out your volunteer role.
-
Uphold AFRIL’s values when working alongside staff, volunteers and clients, and follow AFRIL’s policies and procedures at all times.
-
Be vigilant of any safeguarding concerns and report these swiftly to AFRIL staff.
Please complete the application form and submit alongside your CV. Please mention the position within the title of your email.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Plateful Café works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities in Lewisham. Our commitment is to reach the most vulnerable people in our community and open a pathway to employment for people who have asylum here. Refugees will benefit from workshops, training skills and knowledge relevant for the catering industry. Plateful Cafe are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all volunteers and team members. We are an equal opportunities provider and actively encourage applications from people with a refugee background.
What will the role involve?
- Looking for partnership opportunities with the private sector.
- Assisting with the development and ongoing work of Businesses Fundraising Action Group.
- Assisting in planning fundraising strategies with local businesses.
- Reporting on businesses partnerships and recent developments at Plateful Café.
- Working in partnership with the Plateful Café fundraising team.
Essential:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience of working with corporates.
- Expertise in new project creation and developing business links.
Desirable:
- Previous experience in fundraising and/or marketing.
What difference will you make?
- Helping to establish a new Business support group and a sustainable long-term funding structure.
- Developing and maintaining a funding mix, not relying on only one stream of funding.
- Helping local refugees find employment and enter the workforce much sooner than they otherwise might.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Often accompanied by live music, and the opportunity to buy artwork created by refugee artists plateful employs refugees to chef at events in the SE
