The Refugee Council is one of the leading organisations in the UK working with refugees and people seeking asylum. We not only give help and support, but also work with clients to ensure their needs and concerns are voiced and addressed. Volunteers are a key part of many of the services that support our clients and work alongside paid staff across the organisation.

About the Hotels Team

For nearly two years, Mears (the contract holder for delivery of asylum dispersal accommodation) have been placing newly arrived asylum seekers in a number of hotels across the Yorkshire and Humber region. This was initially in response to a shortage of dispersed accommodation at the turn of the year. However, since the emergence of the Covid 19 crisis and the resulting pause on people being evicted from their asylum accommodation, hotel use has continued to increase in the region due to a growing lack of available accommodation for new arrivals claiming asylum.

The ESOL project aims to develop a new ESOL programme bespoke to the needs of asylum seekers that will run in across two] sites in Yorkshire. The project will deliver a commissioned engaging and relevant curriculum with resources. Classes will focus on practical topics such as using public transport, shopping, visiting a GP etc. In addition to this, there will be activities that explore popular culture such as music, films and art. The curriculum will be a six-month programme, as this is the average stay in hotels.

The volunteer role

Volunteers will have the opportunity to improve clients’ ability in English, to raise clients’ autonomy and self-esteem and to offer a friendly space for meeting and speaking English.

Specifically, the volunteer role includes:

• Support the teacher in delivering the lessons
• Encouraging clients to engage with the sessions and support students to get the most of their learning
• Helping students who need extra support to complete tasks
• Modelling examples of good English
• Organising and preparing materials for prompting conversation

 

For more information please see the job description and person specification found here

To apply for this role please complete the application form found here and send to Recruitment@RefugeeCouncil.org.uk 

Please ensure you state the post number on the application form.