Could you be an ASSIST volunteer? We are looking for…
Volunteers who’d like to support asylum seekers face-to-face, for example by:
- Accompanying asylum seekers to appointments
- Offering information and advocacy
- Supporting overnight accommodation at our night shelter
- Hosting an asylum seeker in their own home
Volunteers who’d like to support the work of ASSIST behind the scenes, in areas like:
- Finance
- Administration
- Fundraising
- Publicity and raising awareness
- Organising events
There are a huge range of different roles at ASSIST, so let us know if you have something specific in mind.
Where do you fit in?
Where you fit best will depend partly on when you’re available – we have opportunities during the day, in the evenings, overnight and at weekends.
We want to make sure you take on a task that you enjoy, and where your skills and experience can be used to the best advantage.
We ask for two references for all new volunteers, and some roles also require a DBS (criminal records) check.
What we provide
There are plenty of benefits to volunteering with us, but here are some of the highlights:
- Meeting people from around the world and making new friends.
- Stretching yourself by trying something new.
- Being part of a team - our volunteers are organised in teams, each with a team leader.
- Training - we offer induction training to get you settled in, as well as regular training opportunities on different topics.
- Travel expenses for whenever you’re volunteering, and meal expenses if volunteering for more than 4 hours.
- Clear task profiles for all our volunteering roles.
How to find out more
Come to a Volunteering with ASSIST information session at Victoria Hall. You’ll find out more about ASSIST, and details of the volunteer roles we have available at the moment. Find out when the next session is taking place on our events page.
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." - Refugee /Asylum Seeker volunteer
