Volunteering opportunities for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The Volunteer Centre Sheffield Refugee and Asylum Seeker project is here to help refugees and asylum seekers to get into worthwhile volunteering opportunities.

We also offer help to organisations wanting to involve refugees and asylum seeker volunteers through giving advice as well as with the good practice guidelines and translated resources that we have developed. These are all available to download.

How we help refugees and asylum seekers to volunteer.

(The following information is available in 8 languages by downloading the ‘Volunteering Flyer’ from the Translated Resources page )

We can help by giving in-depth support to refugees and asylum seekers that want to volunteer including:

  • Helping you find a good volunteer placement.
  • Calling agencies for you and arranging appointments
  • Helping you fill in application forms,
  • Going with you to the first volunteering interview

What is a Volunteer?

A volunteer is a person who, unpaid, chooses to give their time and skills to help other people in the community. It is your free choice to do this.

You can choose how many hours and what days you want volunteer.

Volunteering is helping an organisation, group or charity that does not make a profit and/or is helping the community.

Benefits of Volunteering

  • Use your skills and learn new skills—you can get free training
  • Get experience in the UK work environment
  • Get a reference to help you get a job
  • Meet new people and make new friends
  • Improve your English
  • Contribute to your community

Will I get any money – Will it cost me anything to volunteer?

Volunteers do not get paid, but you will get your expenses. For example, if you buy a bus ticket to get to the organisation, that organisation will reimburse you the cost of the ticket. You will need to show them your ticket as proof. Some places will give you some money for lunch if you volunteer for a full day or over 4 hours.

Can Asylum Seekers Volunteer?

Yes. Asylum seekers are allowed to volunteer and there are no restrictions on how much you can do. It will not affect your NASS support. It will not affect your Home Office asylum application.

Do I have to tell the Job Centre?

If you are a refugee and you get benefits from the Job Centre Plus, you can volunteer but you should tell your advisor. You need to be ‘available for work’ so you may not be able to volunteer full time hours.

What level of English is needed?

Some volunteering roles do not need much English, e.g., gardening, practical work or serving coffee. Other roles such as advice work or reception need quite a good level of spoken English.

As a general rule, volunteers should have Entry 2 level English although sometimes we are able to find opportunities for people with a lower level. Just ask - there will be something you can do.

Examples of Volunteers?

  • An Iranian woman uses her accountancy skills for a local charity
  • An Ethiopian man does conservation work and is improving his English
  • A Zimbabwean woman is training to be an advice worker
  • A Somali Civil Engineer is working with a Credit Union

How to get involved

If you are a refugee or an asylum seeker and you would like to volunteer, or find out more about volunteering, please contact:

Paul Harvey on 0114 2536650, email p.harvey@vas.org.uk, Voluntary Action Sheffield, The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane Sheffield S1 4FW

We have appointments every Tuesday and Thursday.

See MAP for directions and location to the VAS offices.