Asylum Seekers and volunteering Overview

Introduction Refugee Action Why do Asylum Seekers volunteer? Why seek Asylum Seekers? Challenges/issues Volunteer roles

Refugee Action National agency Strong Regional Roots Refugee Community Organisation Development Advice and Service development 140 staff/11 offices volunteers – aprox 50% R & AS 6 volunteer managers

Why do Asylum Seekers Volunteer? Social – to combat isolation To learn –UK work experience –Maintain skills/experience –Learn new skills –Language skills To give to UK society To help others in same situation To give purpose/engage in meaningful activity

Why seek Asylum Seekers? To better understand/serve clients –Language –Culture –Familiarity To have richer/diverse organisations To engage with community To understand To tap resource

Challenges/issues Culture of volunteering? Boundaries? Language Temporary? Permission to volunteer? Refugee agencies only?

Volunteer roles - RA Indirect –Refugee communities –Other services: Advice, Welcome projects –Horizons Direct –Advice/office –Home visiting –Befriending/orientation –Womens services –Awareness sessions –Wellbeing