Why Volunteer if you are a refugee?
If you are a refugee you have a wealth of experience, you may have professional qualifications that can be put to good use in your new community. Volunteering can provide the following benefits:
- Increases your confidence.
- Get experience and learn new skills.
- Improve your English
- Make friends.
- Improves your mental health.
Why encourage refugees to volunteer for your organisation?
If you run a voluntary sector organisation you may be able to help over come some of the barriers faced by refugees and offer some opportunities:
- Lack of English
- Lack of confidence, self-esteem.
- Depression
- Poverty
- Child care issues.
People seeking asylum are not allowed to work and volunteering helps give them a sense of worth and self-respect.
Why volunteer with refugees?
This is one of the most popular areas of volunteering and it is easy to see why.
- Meet people from different cultures and help them understand yours.
- Help improve communication skills and perhaps practice any shared languages.
- Gain an insight into the reasons people flee and challenge your own stereotypes.
For more information about volunteering please call the Volunteer Centre on 01422 348 777 or email vdm@cvac.org.uk
If you are a refugee and needing support please contact the St Augustines Centre on 01422 342719. You may also be interested in getting involved with Refugee Forum Calderdale which meets on a Tuesday afternoon at St Augustines Centre, Hanson Lane.
If you need assistance with Immigration issues or have difficulty with NASS or section 4 benefits please contact Immigration Support Calderdale 01422 342719.
