Volunteering

Have you considered donating some time to an organisation that supports some of the most marginalised and isolated members of society?
Scottish Refugee Council is an independent charity dedicated to providing advice, information and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees living in Scotland. We also provide specialist services in areas such as housing, welfare, education and employment, status and protection, womens issues, community development as well as the media and arts.

What is volunteering?
Volunteering is giving some of your time, skills and experience, without expecting payment in return. By giving time like this volunteers increase our capacity to work with asylum seekers and refugees.

Who can volunteer with us?
Q. I am an asylum seeker, can I volunteer?
A. Yes. Your knowledge and experience are very welcome here.
Click here to read more about the Home Office policy on asylum seekers and volunteering.

Q. I am a refugee, can I volunteer?
A. Yes. Your knowledge and experience are very welcome here.

Q. I am on state benefits, can I volunteer?
A. Yes. You will gain skills and experience volunteering with us. Volunteering will not affect your state benefits, but you must still make your self available for work.

What are the benefits of volunteering with Scottish Refugee Council?
There are lots of benefits to be gained by volunteering for us, such as:

Experience of working within a professional organisation
Regular supervision and support
Training and other learning opportunities
Involvement in team meetings, staff conferences and members events
References
Out-of-pocket expenses eg travel and lunch
Understanding of UK work culture

How do I become a volunteer with Scottish Refugee Council?
Anyone who wishes to volunteer with us should forward a completed application form. Application forms are available on our website during volunteer recruitment periods.

Please note our volunteer roles are based in the Glasgow area between the hours of 9:00am - 5:00pm. We do not currently offer Edinburgh or evening based roles.

Our next volunteer recruitment is October 2008.

What volunteer roles are available at Scottish Refugee Council?
We have a wide variety of volunteer roles. Available roles are advertised on our website during volunteer recruitment periods.

What happens after I apply to volunteer?
Shortlisting
All application forms received go through standard short listing. For this reason it is important that all sections of the application form are completed fully.

Volunteer recruitment and information session
Shortlisted applicants are invited to the volunteer recruitment and information session. The recruitment sessions take place in our main office and generally lasts for a half day. The recruitment session is facilitated by a number of staff from various teams, and invovles small group work and an informal interview. There is also plenty of opportunity for applicants to find out more about volunteering with Scottish Refugee Council. Lunch is provided.

Matching
After the volunteer recruitment session staff meet to match candidates to suitable volunteer roles. Occasionally we are unable to offer all candidates a role.

Volunteer induction
Once matched to a suitable role volunteers MUST be available to attend full volunteer induction. Volunteer induction dates are advertised on our website during volunteer recruitment periods. Volunteer induction covers office practices, key policies, health & safety, equal opportunities and boundaries and professionalism. After induction volunteers can arrange suitable volunteering times with team leaders.

Contact information
If you would like more information on volunteering with us; email:
volunteering@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

Volunteering opportunities with other organisations

Scottish Detainee Visitors (SDV)
SDV is a registered charity that provides social, emotional and practical support to asylum and immigration detainees in Scotland. SDV volunteers visit detainees in Dungavel Removal Centre on Monday and Thursday evenings.
If you are interested in volunteering with SDV have a look at their web site for further information www.sdv.org.uk

Volunteer centres
There are hundreds of volunteering opportunities throughout Scotland. Asylum seekers and refugees can volunteer. You need a basic command of English before getting involved in most, but not all activities. The Volunteer Centre network can help find volunteer opportunities to suit.

The Volunteer Centre's main Glasgow office is at 84 Miller Street in the city centre, just off George Square. You can drop in, or for an appointment call 0141 226 3431.

For information on the Volunteer Centre Glasgow visit http://www.volunteerglasgow.org/ To access their online database of volunteering opportunities throughout Glasgow visit www.volunteerglasgow.org/4u/search

For information on the Volunteer Centre Edinburgh visit www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/ To access their online database of volunteering opportunities throughout Edinburgh visit
www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/opportunities/default.asp

For information on volunteer centres throughout Scotland visit http://www.volunteerscotland.org.uk/