our work > where we work
Nottingham > volunteering
What volunteer roles are available?
What training and support will I get?
I'm a refugee or asylum seeker - can I volunteer?
How much time will I need to give?
How do I apply?
Interpreters
What volunteer roles are available?
Office Assistant Volunteer
Assisting the team administrator with various office-based administrative tasks. This role is aimed at someone who has no previous administration experience and would like to gain skills and knowledge.
To apply see the “How do I apply?” section below.
We are currently developing the following volunteer roles and will advertise them here as they become available:
- Key Work Volunteer
- Campaign Volunteer
Previous roles have included:
- Casework Volunteer – meeting and greeting clients and assisting with basic casework and related administration.
- Refugee Awareness Project Speaker – helping to promote understanding between refugees and host communities by giving interactive talks about asylum issues to community groups in the local region.
- Refugee Awareness Project Assistant - giving behind-the-scenes assistance in areas such as research, promotion or administration.
- Women’s Centre Volunteer - assisting the Women’s Development Officer in supporting women who are accessing the centre and in developing new activities with the group.
- Family Support Project Mentor Volunteer - providing support and assistance to families based on their identified needs and related administration.
- Family Support Project Administrative Assistant Volunteer – assisting in the setting up and running of the project including research, computing and admin tasks.
What training and support will I get?
All volunteers receive a full induction and training for the role they undertake.
You will have a supervisor who will meet with you regularly to provide support, feedback on your volunteering and discuss training needs and personal development. There may also be the opportunity to attend volunteer events and meetings.
Expenses such at travel costs to and from the place you volunteer and lunch costs are paid for by Refugee Action.
We believe we provide an interesting and supportive setting where you will meet new people, and gain new skills and knowledge.
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. 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.
How much time will I need to give?
It depends on the role and your situation, but we usually ask people to volunteer for a minimum of half a day (3.5 hrs) a week.
How do I apply?
If you are applying for an available role please contact us on (0115) 941 8552 and we will ask you to complete an application form and attend an interview. We are happy to support people to fill in the application form.
We also keep a list of people who are interested in volunteering with Refugee Action, and contact people on the list to make an application when a suitable position becomes available. Please call us on (0115) 941 8552 if you would like your details added to the list.
Interpreters
We regularly engage interpreters within our work with clients. This is done on a face to face basis or over the telephone. The number of languages our clients speak is over 40 and therefore we have different needs according to which clients need our service.
Please contact the Nottingham Office on (0115) 941 8552 and we will inform you of the process to apply to register as a sessional interpreter.