Refugee Support - Interpreter Volunteer (Sheffield - Spanish)

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 Interpreter volunteers provide an essential communication link between people who use our service and the volunteers and staff supporting them. Many do not speak English as their first language and rely on high quality and confidential interpretation and translation to relay their personal information. For many people, this can be a difficult and distressing process. We help them to find a way forward and help them start their lives in a new country.

You will be able to accurately interpret Spanish and have access to a phone and laptop/computer. You will be able to commit to the role for at least 6 months and be flexible to help when needed by the service (this may be at short notice). The role will mainly be done via phone until covid restrictions are lifted so confidence in communicating by telephone is essential

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 - Interpreter Volunteer

Volunteer manager

BRC Manager

Where you will be based

Office

Why we want you

We are looking for empathetic and professional interpreters who can inspire confidence that people's messages are translated correctly and that their information will be kept secure. Our Interpreter volunteers are friendly and welcoming and enjoy being part of our supportive and diverse team.

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

What you will be doing

• Interpreting and translating verbatim in one to one or group situations to help people using our service communicate with others. This could be face to face locally, or remotely locally or nationally.
• Translation of forms or guidance
• Written translation to complete required forms/paperwork
• Use your Red Cross training to give emotional support to adults and children

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
• Able to verbally interpret and translate fluently in the specified language
• Able to write in the language (as well as in English) would be helpful
• Emotionally resilient as you may need to deal with challenging or difficult situations
• Keep the people we support at the heart of what you do

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 for the role
• 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.