Volunteering vacancies

 

The Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership needs people like YOU! Could you give a few hours a week to make a difference to refugees and people seeking asylum?

Here are our current opportunities to get involved:

 

Drop-In Volunteering Vacancies

Volunteering at the Drop-In centre provides an opportunity for you to help local refugees with any issues they might have. We have sessions running every Tuesday between 11am and 1pm at St Mary’s Church, High Street, Watford. The Drop-In provides an opportunity for people to come and discuss any issues they have and to be listened to by one of our volunteers.

Many of the people we help are likely to have lived here for a while but an issue or crisis in their lives means that they need to discuss it and seek some help. They may also be in the process of seeking asylum. We can provide advice and sometimes resolve their issue there and then and at other times we refer them to another agency or invite them to come back once their issue has been looked into.

The Drop-In Centre could not function without our team of committed volunteers, and we are always looking for additional help.
Full training given on starting the role as well as regular training sessions and continual support from more experienced volunteers.

Responsibilities:
Help with filling in forms and interpreting official documents.
Liaising with statutory and voluntary agencies.
Referring people in need for follow up action by our Case Review Team and linking them with a befriender.

Referring people to our partner solicitor who specialises in immigration law and comes to the Drop-In 4th Tuesday of the month.

Advice on how to access appropriate housing and free food in the area.

Access to the charity’s other services, such as free English classes.

 

Requirements:
Able to attend at least one Tuesday Drop-In a month.
Complete training as required and attend bi-monthly volunteer support meetings.

Skills:
An ability to communicate and empathise with people from a variety of backgrounds and needs.
Basic IT skills.
Assist clients in accessing essential services such as legal, housing, financial and food.
Can work well as part of a team.
Enthusiasm to help refugees.

Desirable experience:
Previous volunteering experience.
Previous experience working in a people-facing role.
If you are interested in becoming a Drop-In volunteer please apply via Charity Jobs or email your CV to Cat at and a volunteer coordinator will contact you to discuss this further. Alternatively, contact us using this form.

Befrienders

Befrienders offer friendship and practical support to people who can be isolated or new to the area of Watford and Three Rivers.
We are currently looking for people who have empathy, are good listeners and are non-judgemental. You will need to have an hour or two a week to spare.

Support people by:
Keeping in touch regularly and maybe going for a coffee or a walk.
Helping people to understand everyday letters e.g. Utility bills
Helping to make appointments for free food/clothing/GP.

Benefits for you:
Support from a Case Worker Co-ordinator
Developing client facing skills
Learning about issues for asylum seekers, refugees and incomers to UK
Establishing relationship with people who appreciate someone walking alongside them

If you are interested in becoming a befriender and would like an application form please email Cat at or if you want to have a chat about this roles please let Cat know and someone from the Partnership will contact you. Alternatively, contact us using this form.

Volunteer Caseworkers

This role is for people who already have some previous experience in people facing roles. We are looking for people who have empathy, are good listeners and are non-judgemental. You will be supporting a small number of people who have more complex needs and require extra support to get through difficult situations. We are looking for people who have two to four hours a week to spare. You will be offered support in this role by the Partnership.

Support clients by:
Providing moral support in meetings and making sure the person understands.
Making phone calls or supporting a people to make calls.
Helping with form filling and letter writing
Working with people on solutions to more complex issues e.g. debt.

Benefits for you:
Support from a Case Worker Co-ordinator
Increasing your knowledge of the asylum process and immigration law
Improving your knowledge of community resources and how to support clients to access them
Establishing relationship with the people we support who appreciate someone walking alongside them
If you are interested in becoming a Caseworker and would like an application form please email Cat at or if you want to have a chat about this roles please let Cat know and someone from the Partnership will contact you. Alternatively, contact us using this form.

Fundraising Volunteers

Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership are looking to recruit volunteers who are able to fundraise creatively in the local community and with businesses to support our charity.

Our aims
We offer practical and emotional support to asylum seekers and refugees in Watford and Three Rivers. Many of the people we help are destitute, homeless and have no access to assistance from the government. Our mission is to provide access to advice and essential services until statutory services are in place.

Our needs
The Refugee Partnership is a volunteer-led organisation with a growing client base. We also continually need funds to support us in providing food vouchers for the people we support as well as assisting clients in their basic living needs and the increasing cost of legal fees.

What we are looking for:
We would like to establish a fundraising group of volunteers who will focus on promoting fundraising opportunities for the WTRRP. It would be helpful but not necessary if you have some of the following skills;
• experience of organising events or an interest in doing this
• being able to work as part of a team
• experience of using social media to generate interest in fundraising
• ability to promote what we do by giving talks within the community
• experience of completing fundraising applications
• an interest in organising traditional fundraising events such as bake sales, collections etc.

What we offer:
• an opportunity to make good use of your skills and also have a go at new activities
• a chance to become a part of a charity entering a new phase of its development
• membership of a creative team generating much needed funds
• working alongside an established Grants Team
For more information, contact us using this form or call us on 01923 252434. Alternatively, send your CV to Cat at

Social Hub Volunteers Needed

We are looking for volunteers to help in our Social Hub, which provides activities and a welcoming space for refugees and asylum seekers. The commitment is for 3 hours a week on a Tuesday morning – 11am to 2pm.

You will be ideal for the role if you enjoy talking to people from a variety of countries and making them feel welcome. Also, if you’re happy to be flexible and fill in where needed.

We have a variety of games and activities, like chess, board games, table tennis and table football and would really value having a volunteer who enjoys playing games and encouraging people to join in.

We are a friendly charity and support a wonderful community of 150 families and individuals.

You will need to go through a DBS check, provide the details for references and be contactable via WhatsApp once you join us.
For an application pack please email or call 01923 252434 for an informal chat about the role.

Alternatively, contact us using this form.

Transport Support Volunteer Needed

Watford and Three Refugees Partnership is a charity offering practical and emotional support to asylum seekers and refugees in the West Hertfordshire area.

Would you like to join a team within our charity that provides more practical support to the people we help?

Some examples of support include

• Helping with house moves
• Collecting furniture that is being donated
• Lifts to attend appointments
• Support to get children to sports events (this may include dropping off, waiting with or collecting and taking home after). You will at times be responsible for a child without a parent or guardian.

You must have access to your own vehicle. You will work as part of a team and only need to commit to what you are comfortable doing.

If you are interested then please contact us and we can arrange an informal chat with a Transport Co-ordinator in the first instance. To join us you will need to complete an application process which includes obtaining two references and an enhanced DBS check.

For more information, contact us using this form or call us on 01923 252434. Alternatively, send your CV to Cat at