Volunteer Opportunities Exploring Greater Anglia with Refugees and Migrants

Do you want to support people new to this country to learn more about their new home, improve their English and get used to travelling around the country?

We are looking for friendly, welcoming volunteers to help us for a new project funded by Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund. Our project involves refugees and vulnerable migrants learning about a different location on the Greater Anglia network (for example, Cambridge, Dedham, Ely and Norwich) each week over 6 workshops. As well as learning about the history of these places through creative activities, they will also develop skills in using the railway and improve their English. Following these 6 workshops, we will go on a trip to explore the location, as selected by the group.

These 6 workshops will be weekly starting on the 8th of January and you will need to be available between 1.15 to 4.30 pm on Wednesdays in January and some in February.

Dates:

• 8th January – 1.15 to 4.30 pm
• 15th January – 1.15 to 4.30 pm
• 22nd January – 1.15 to 4.30 pm
• 27th January – 12.15 pm to 3.30
• 29th January – 1.15 to 4.30 pm
• 5th February – 1.15 to 4.30 pm

The trip will be on the 26th of February and you will need to be available all day for this.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email us with your interest and let us know why you are keen to get involved. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Contact Lily at lily.barson@groundwork.org.uk

Due to the short notice, we are also interested in hearing from applicants who are available only from later in January.

As a volunteer, you will support with:

• Support Lily and Emily to enable the smooth running of high-quality workshops and enable all participants to have a positive meaningful inclusive experience.
• Provide welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
• Help spot and recognise when a participant might require additional support, and alert Lily or Emily or support them yourself.
• If a participant leaves session before the end, notify GL Staff member.
• Assist with prep of materials for the session
• Assist with refreshments.
• Understand importance of confidentially letting GL Staff member know if have become aware of a safe guarding concern.
• Be confident in calling emergency services if required and knowing address to give.

There will be opportunities to lead sections of the sessions if that is of interest.

This is a great role for you if you want to support refugees and vulnerable migrants and are:

• Reliable
• Friendly, enthusiastic
• Non-discriminatory and embrace equal opportunities
• Able/willing to follow H&S and child/vulnerable adult safe guarding procedures
• Team ethos, working together to troubleshoot and get through a challenge
• Have a sense of humour
• Have availability on Wednesday afternoons in January and February 2025

Additional Benefits

• Feeling part of your community and helping people
• Personal development
• Skills/experience e.g. communication, inter-personal, leading volunteers, working with people, gardening, First Aid, H&S
• Travel expenses
• Lunch
• Sign posting to other opportunities and training

As this role involves volunteering with vulnerable adults we will ask that you provide two ‘character’ references (for example, from your teacher, employer, friend, support work, faith leader etc). We will also arrange and pay for a DBS check.

Due to the nature of this role, it is only suitable for people aged over 18.