About the Refugee Council

Founded in 1951, the Refugee Council exists to support people who come to the UK in need of safety and our purpose is to advocate with them for compassion, fairness and kindness. We achieve this by providing expert advice and casework, building the capacity of refugee community organisations, and working with allies across society to change government policy.

The Refugee Council is one of the leading organisations in the UK working with refugees and people seeking asylum.

Learn more about the Refugee Council here

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. Since the emergence of the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting pause on people being evicted from their asylum accommodation however, hotel use has continued to increase in the region due to a growing lack of available accommodation for new arrivals claiming asylum.

The NET Contingency Accommodation Project has been engaging with residents in hotels in Wakefield and Leeds, Rotherham, Sheffield and Hull, delivering health briefings, English conversation, art therapy and wellbeing sessions in addition to arranging donations of clothing and other items.

About this role

Volunteers will have the opportunity to facilitate an arts and crafts group that reduces isolation by offering parents and children seeking asylum the chance to do an activity and socialise.

What could I be doing?

• Set up and to supervise art activities including colouring, painting and other arts/crafts.
• Help the attendees with any issues they might have with their art materials
• Put materials and resources away after the activity has finished
• Maintain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere
• Encourage conversation and practice of English
• Willingness to empathise and learn about issues impacting individuals seeking asylum

Useful skills and experience

• Knowledge and skills in arts and crafts.
• Good communication skills, especially communicating with people with little or no English.
• Friendly and welcoming manner
• Patience

Time commitment

Two hours per week on Fridays, 3-5pm

You can learn more about this role by downloading our task description here [DOC].

You can apply for this role using this application form [DOC].

Interested? Contact Mohammad Juhar at mohammed.aman@refugeecouncil.org.uk for more information.