Involving Refugee Volunteers

Taking action, changing lives 2014 – 2019

Refugee ActionInvolving refugee volunteers

GLV November 2014

In


Refugee ActionWho we are

Our beliefs

We believe in human

rights. We believe in

fairness and equality.

We believe that no

one seeking asylum in

the UK should be left

destitute


Refugee ActionWho we are: Five goals

• All refugees will have a means of

survival

• The UK will have a fairer asylum

system

• Refugees will be part of our

society

• Refugees will be able to thrive

• Refugees will have a better

prospect of finding work


Refugee Action services

We have 6 offices across the UK with over

180 staff and 200 volunteers. Last year

volunteers gave over 25,000 hours to

Refugee Action

• Gateway protection programme for

refugees

• Choices voluntary return programme

• Well being projects

• Campaigning and Influencing


- An asylum seeker is a person who has made an application to the

Home Office for asylum under the Refugee Convention and is

waiting for a decision

- A refugee is a person who’s application has been successful and

has been granted asylum, and permission to live in the UK for a set

period

Refugee Convention means the United Nations Convention Relating

to the Status of Refugees 1951 and the 1967 Protocol

What’s the difference between an asylum

seeker and a refugee?


Can asylum seekers volunteer?

In April 2014 the Home Office agreed to

change its guidelines on asylum seekers

and volunteering, following a successful

campaign by Refugee Action

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s

ystem/uploads/attachment_data/file/2994

15/Permission_to_Work_Asy_v6_0.pdf

The changes mean that no one can be

excluded from volunteering because

they’re claiming asylum. People claiming

asylum, including refused asylum

seekers, can now continue to volunteer

across charities and the public sector – in

schools, hospitals and for local council

run services such as libraries, leisure

centres and parks.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/299415/Permission_to_Work_Asy_v6_0.pdf


Volunteer roles in Refugee Action

London

Volunteers roles in our London office :

• Community Outreach

• Casework

• Admin

• Head office placements with HR,

Finance

• Research

We have a target of a third refugee

volunteers


Why do refugees volunteer?

To improve employability

To gain experience of the UK

work place

To address isolation and

loneliness

To improve English language and

practice speaking English

To ‘give something back’

Asylum seekers are not allowed

to work so volunteering is a way

to stay active and contribute


Refugee Action

One big reason refugees volunteer is to help find work

Try and link refugee volunteers to local employment mentoring schemes, or do something in-house


Refugee volunteers bring:

Cultural awareness about

people from their country

or region

Language skills

Empathy and experience as

they have been through the

system


Refugee volunteers bring:

• Diversity, experience, and

fresh perspective to your

team

• Links to their

communities

• Typically refugees bring a

very high skills set – and

a high level of education


Other considerations

• Refugees may have no experience of the UK work environment –so it’s really important to give a proper induction

Paying out of pocket expenses is really important – many asylum seekers and refugees are on a very low income but would not want to discuss this and would not be familiar with recognised good practice

Refugees have been in a

powerless position during

their asylum journey &

may need to be enabled

to feel they can say no, be

assertive, complain about

something that’s not right,

or even give suggestions

or feedback



For refugees with lower levels of English think of creative ways to overcome this egbuddying up with someone in the office with the same language skills who speaks better English; roles where less English is needed; speak in clear English language

• Make sure you reach refugees by advertising your services & opportunities to Refugee Community Organisations and other places refugees may see them eg places of worship, ESOL class, as well as to your local volunteer centre

• Try and also have roles for people with lower skill sets



• DBS can be a challenge but review and enhance your recruitment process including: risk assessments; thorough interviews; self disclosure form pending DBS replies; non-DBS roles; do you really need a DBS for the role?

Don’t forget refugees are

carrying their refugee

experience – as well as

their bravery and

resilience there will be

times when refugees will

need extra support; try

and include wellbeing in

your volunteer support

programme.

Involving Refugee Volunteers

Government & Nonprofit

Transcript of Involving Refugee Volunteers