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Bristol > volunteering

Everything you wanted to know about volunteering with Refugee Action in Bristol.


What kind of things can I do?

We have a range of opportunities and roles, from working with people to working on a computer. You could be a:

Volunteer Advocate
providing support to a new refugee who is being advised by our Refugee Integration & Employment Service (RIES). You would help the person with the practical actions needed to sort out things like housing and benefits, going to appointments, getting used to buses and looking for a flat.

Volunteer Mentor
helping a new refugee with finding their feet in social & employment activities. This can be for up to a year and could be outside of office hours.

Administrative Volunteer
working with us in the office helping with producing our Refugee Supporters’ Newsletter [add a link to newsletter], volunteer newsletter, information for staff and clients, or helping with campaigns.

Organisation Development Volunteer
working with our BASIS worker to support Refugee Community Organisations, planning training, undertaking research and monitoring progress.

I’m a refugee or asylum seeker – can I volunteer?

Yes, refugees and asylum seekers can volunteer, and are able to claim expenses without affecting your immigration status.

Refugee Action in Bristol tries to ensure that 50% of volunteers are from a refugee or asylum seeking background. We value the experience refugees and asylum seekers bring to the organisation and hope by volunteering asylum seekers and refugees will gain skills and knowledge.

What training and support do you provide?

A full induction and training for your role.

A supervisor who will meet with you regularly to provide support, feedback on your volunteering and discuss your training needs and personal development.

We have volunteer events every 3 months when we provide training and information updates.

Depending on your role you will be invited to attend a volunteer meeting with other volunteers in similar roles.

Expenses such as travel costs to and from the place you volunteer and lunch costs are paid for by Refugee Action.

We can support you to do the Certificate in Community Volunteering with Bristol City College.  This is a nationally recognised course.

We provide references for jobs or courses.

We provide an interesting and supportive setting where you will meet new people, and gain new skills and knowledge.

Where will I volunteer?

The Refugee Action office is in the Old Market area in the city centre. Depending on your role, you may be based at the office, or you may do your role in the community, or by attending meetings at other organisations.

How much time will I need to give?

It depends on the project:

Refugee Integration & Employment Service
Advocacy volunteer: 1 day per week for 6 months*

Mentoring volunteer: 5 hours a month for 12 months**

Asylum Advice, administration, and Organisational Development  
A minimum of half a day a week for 3 months

* We ask for a 6 month commitment to enable you to finish the training programme and to develop skills and knowledge. It also enables us to plan the work by volunteers in the different projects.­

** Clients are offered up to a year’s mentoring, so we need volunteers for this long.

How do I apply?

We ask people to complete an application form and attend an interview. We are happy to give people support to fill in the application form.

We have a list of people who are interested in volunteering with Refugee Action, and contact people on the list when a position becomes available.

Please let us know if you would like your details added to the list.

If you would like further information please contact:

Sam Sayer & Kath Marsh
Volunteer Coordinators
Refugee Integration and Employment Service
on 0117 941 5968
email RIESvolcoordinator@refugee-action.org.uk

OR

Katie Hope
Deputy Manager (Development)
on 01117 941 5968
email katieh@refugee-action.org.uk

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