Refugee Support - Casework Volunteer (Preston)

British Red Cross volunteers help thousands of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants every year enabling people to draw upon their own strengths to withstand crisis and rebuild their lives.

Our casework volunteers work one-to-one with refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants at a time which many will find particularly difficult and distressing. We help to ensure people have choices and opportunities made available to them to find a way forward and start their lives in a new country.

This role is home based but will also require you to attend the office and drop in sessions on occasion (covid permitting). You must be able to commit to the role for 24 months and be available to volunteer for 6 hour per week (flexible but must include Thursday mornings). You will need access to a phone and laptop/computer but we can assist you with providing this if necessary.

We would be particularly interested to hear from you if you have experience of being a refugee or asylum seeker.

Disclaimer Health and Safety Statement We take an individual approach to ensuring your safety. We may ask you to complete a simple risk assessment. We will also have a conversation with you to discuss any restrictions that may still be in place in your region and identify any adjustments you may need.

More about this role

Volunteer role

Refugee Support - Casework Volunteer

Volunteer manager

BRC Manager

Where you will be based

Office

Why we want you

Are you passionate about supporting people in crisis?

We are looking for empathetic and professional casework volunteers to help people access the vital services and opportunities they need. You will enjoy being part of a supportive team, working to a high level of accuracy and attention to detail and dealing with complex and personal information.

Due to the intensity and complexity of parts of our services, it is essential that our casework volunteers work to the highest standards so that we can provide a safe, high quality and effective service.

What you will be doing

• Giving one to one support to people e.g. advice on accommodation and healthcare
• Leading sensitive and comprehensive conversations and interviews with people to assess their needs
• Agreeing a plan of action to help people access their rights and entitlements
• Using your Red Cross training to give emotional support to adults and children
• Maintaining client databases
• Referring people to other support services e.g. mental health and loneliness support
• Working effectively with interpreters as well as people from the Home Office and other charities
• Identifying and responding appropriately to safeguarding and protection issues

The skills you need

• Strong communication skills and empathetic about the situation and needs of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants
• Able to volunteer in a multicultural environment
• Emotionally resilient as you may need to deal with challenging or difficult situations
• Previous experience of face to face client work or casework would be helpful
• Speak English; knowledge of another language would be helpful (particularly one used in the current local refugee population)
• Keep the people we support at the heart of what you do
• Willing to complete a criminal record check

What's in it for you

• Meet new people and be part of a supportive and inclusive team
• A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones
• All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training)
• Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses
• An opportunity to be part of the world's largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people's lives

Disclaimer

Health and Safety Statement We take an individual approach to ensuring your safety. We may ask you to complete a simple risk assessment. We will also have a conversation with you to discuss any restrictions that may still be in place in your region and identify any adjustments you may need.