BIRCH network’s main purpose is to offer support and friendship to people seeking sanctuary, who are on the periphery of society. We focus on three main groups: migrants with no recourse to public ...
Welcome Hub Volunteers Needed (Sanctuary Seekers)
Practical details
Volunteering • Short term volunteering
Contact person
Helen Hibberd
Provided
#126898
Scan me or visit www.volunteerbrum.org/o/Birmingham-Community-Hosting-BIRCH-Network/activities/Welcome-Hub-Volunteers-Needed-Sanctuary-Seekers/126898 to join
We are looking for volunteers to help us run a new pilot Welcome Hub for sanctuary seekers in Birmingham on a Thursday morning.
BIRCH Network is a small charity offering support to sanctuary seekers and other destitute migrants in Birmingham and surrounding areas. BIRCH Network’s main purpose is to offer support and friendship to people seeking sanctuary, who are on the periphery of society.
We are looking to recruit volunteers for our New Welcome Hub
This is a new pilot project, building on our work supporting residents in local hotels and aiming to expand the support we offer them to be accessible to other sanctuary seekers living in Birmingham, including those in dispersed accommodation. The sessions will be structured around offering opportunities for English Language practice and cultural learning, while prioritising creating a welcoming and supportive environment where people can access or be signposted towards other help as well. We will offer groups for both families with pre-school children and for single adults.
The sessions will take place at a city centre venue on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12.30. We plan to run these sessions in November and December and then review our model and subject to successful funding applications, we hope to continue these sessions into 2027.
We are recruiting for three volunteer roles:
English Class Volunteers
We are aiming to help participants improve their spoken and written English, develop their confidence in using the language, and to build cultural understanding to help with integration. There will be a mix of varying abilities and the groups will operate on a drop-in basis so are likely to include different people each week. We are looking for volunteers who have ESOL or other relevant teaching experience but also who are flexible and able to respond to the needs on the day.
Children’s Support Volunteers
We know there are significant barriers for parents with young children to access classes and activities and want to make these sessions as accessible as possible to this group of people. We are looking for volunteers who can help supervise and entertain pre-school children during the sessions to allow their parents to take part in the language learning activities. These activities will always be in the same room and in sight of the parents/guardians.
General Welcome / Support Volunteers
We want those who walk through the doors to feel welcomed and valued. We are looking for volunteers who can offer a smile, friendly chat, a cup of tea, etc. Some people may come with other questions and issues which need to be directed appropriately. This role might also include light admin roles and help setting up the sessions.
Essential information:
Potential Volunteers must be available on Thursday mornings 9.30-12.30pm.
Volunteers must be available to attend our Induction session on Thursday 15th October 9.15am-1pm.
For all the volunteer roles we are looking for volunteers who have excellent communication skills, and can help provide a welcoming and friendly service.
Volunteers must be able to offer empathy, sensitivity and a non-judgemental approach to supporting sanctuary seekers.
We are looking for volunteers who can offer a weekly commitment during our pilot period of Nov-Dec 26.
Training and supervision will be provided by our staff who have expertise in this area.
Enhanced DBS checks and two references will be required.
Application deadline: Friday 2nd Oct 5pm
Related to
About Birmingham Community Hosting (BIRCH) Network
BIRCH network’s main purpose is to offer support and friendship to people seeking sanctuary, who are on the periphery of society. We focus on three main groups: migrants with no recourse to public funds who are experiencing destitution, young separated refugees, and finally newly arrived asylum seekers living in temporary accommodation.
We are a volunteer led charity that harnesses the hospitality of the local community with a view to making Birmingham become a welcoming city of sanctuary to migrants. Our volunteer network aims to relieve destitution and increase the resilience and well being of our beneficiaries.
Applications closing in 10 days.