Volunteer with us | ASSIST Sheffield

Applications to become an ASSIST volunteer are now open!
Deadline for applications is 10AM on Thursday 11th April 2024.

Our volunteers play a huge part in the work we do, bringing a wealth of experience and ensuring our vital services keep running. Volunteering with ASSIST is an opportunity to support and work with those seeking asylum on their journey towards experiencing greater stability, and to challenge destitution and the Hostile Environment by linking together material support and resistance!

Volunteer Roles
Volunteers can join ASSIST in a variety of roles.
Some volunteers join one of the frontline teams and work directly with the people we support. This might include: providing casework, interpreting, doing house visits, offering information and signposting. Some roles work with our larger networks and communities, working on events and fundraising. Others work behind the scenes and support the organisation in areas like Finance, Administration, Grant writing, IT, and Communications.

We are currently recruiting for the roles below. To view the role descriptions and skills needed, please click on the role:

In addition to these roles, ASSIST is looking for volunteers with significant experience and great ideas in the following areas;

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Human Resources
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Participatory Research Methods
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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work
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Centring the voices of those who are Experts by Experience

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Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks
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We are looking for people who are interested in a bespoke role that isn't attached to the services we deliver but instead will contribute to ASSIST in an advisory capacity. You would be working closely with the Director, members of the Leadership Team and potentially and soon-to-be-formed working groups comprised of staff, clients and volunteers. 

Behind the scenes at ASSIST, we are currently developing our work to build an organisational culture that challenges prejudice and promotes genuine, meaningful inclusion, so we can more fully reflect our core values ( Respect, Empowerment, Social Justice, Partnerships, Empathy, Competency and Transparency - yes we reference Aretha in our values  R.E.S.P.E.C.T)

As the Hostile Environment becomes ever more so, we are also focusing on Wellbeing and building a culture of collective care, reflected in policy and practice, to better support our staff, volunteers and clients to access as much resilience as possible in the face of deep adversity.

We also know we need guidance and input to better measure and communicate the powerful impacts of our work.

So if you feel you have relevant skills in this area and would like to get involved, please complete our volunteer application form and briefly outline where you think you might be able to support ASSIST's work.

If you would like a chat about making these roles more accessible to you, please use the contact details at the bottom of this page.

We especially welcome volunteers with lived experience of seeking sanctuary or migration, or who are racialised and/or have lived experience of racism. If you do not meet all of the criteria in the role specification, we encourage you to apply, and we can support and train you during the role.

What is it like to volunteer with ASSIST?
Here are some of the things you might find valuable about volunteering with us:

Being part of a community of people challenging the conditions of those seeking sanctuary in the UK, and the systemic injustices of the migration system
Learning about the asylum and migration system in the UK
Being supported to learn or discover new skills
An opportunity to shape our work and services through your valuable feedback
We work to build joyful spaces as part of our collective empowerment and resilience

And many more.. No one experience is the same!

What support can you expect?

Induction training and shadowing to get you settled in, as well as regular training opportunities tailored to your role
Volunteer social events and other ASSIST events
We cover travel expenses, and other essential costs involved in the volunteer role
Regular check-ins
Opportunity to develop skills and experience towards employment if desired
Opportunity to change roles if desired
A mutually supportive environment with other volunteers and staff

How can I apply to volunteer?
Thank you for your interest! To make an application, please click on the button below.

Interviews will take place on the week of 22nd and 29th of April.

Deadline for applications is 10AM on Thursday 11th April 2024.

You will need to fill in an application form providing us with details of the role(s) you are interested in, a short description of your skills and experience, and the reasons why you would like to volunteer with us. You must be 18 or over to apply.

We ask all applicants to provide us with the contact details of two referees: these can be people you know from work or volunteering, social or academic networks, community roles, or other responsibilities.

Your application will be assessed by our team and you will be invited to an interview. Successful applicants will receive an induction and any role-specific training.

Certain roles due to their nature might additionally require a DBS check (i.e. a basic criminal record). The role description will indicate when this is the case, and the DBS check will be paid for by us.

How to find out more
If you have questions or would like a chat about what volunteering for us is like, please contact Leah, our Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator, by phone on 07422655683, or email at volunteer@assistsheffield.org.uk

Are you interested in hosting a person seeking sanctuary?
We are no longer taking on new hosting volunteers. However, we work in close partnership with Refugees at Home and Hope at Home, two national networks that provide hosting placements for people seeking sanctuary. Both are currently looking for hosts in South Yorkshire so please get in touch with them

I have absolutely loved my time at ASSIST! It has been so helpful to me personally because it has shown me that I may want to specialise in immigration and asylum law in the future. All the volunteers are absolutely lovely as well :) - ASSIST volunteer

I was impressed by the team structure at ASSIST and the fact that they have defined task profiles for volunteers. It meant I could fit in quickly and start doing stuff that really helps." - ASSIST volunteer

I've learnt how an office works and I've gained more confidence - I've been able to interact with people of different backgrounds. It's been good work experience and will help me towards getting a job." -- ASSIST volunteer

I don't have any qualifications here or in my home country, but now I see myself as important. People call me, ask me things - I'm important in this society." - ASSIST volunteer