Volunteer Opportunity – Peer Volunteer

To read our frequently asked questions about volunteering with us, please visit the volunteering page at
www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer

Scottish Refugee Council is committed to assisting asylum seekers and refugees to settle into life in Scotland. As a volunteer you will play a key role in working with other refugees and asylum seekers to learn more about their rights and progress towards their goals and supporting them to integrate into the wider community.

Our Peer Integration Project is recruiting volunteers who have lived experience of the asylum system. As a member of this new team of volunteers, you will be supporting each other to design, develop and deliver facilitated sessions on refugees and asylum seekers’ rights and entitlements.

What is the Peer approach?

Peer approach refers to people of a similar background or experience, culture or ethnicity informing one another about a wide variety of topics e.g., housing, employability, education, etc. in engaging and fun ways.

A peer approach is a great way to pass on information and share knowledge and experiences. As a Peer Volunteer, you will be able to pass on helpful, accurate and practical information to members of your local community and support them to discuss their areas of interests and goals.

What will I be doing?

After completing training, you will work with refugees and asylum seekers in groups.
Duties will be varied but will include:

• Organise and form peer groups.
• Facilitate and deliver peer group discussions and group activities.
• Develop and support the activities of the group.
• Record and document the activities and information from the peer discussions and activities.
• Submit a monthly report to the Peer Development Coordinator before the 1st of each month.
• Participating in the evaluation of the peer volunteer project.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Take on additional responsibilities as agreed upon with the Peer Development Coordinator.

Trainings:

As a volunteer you will be trained on the following subjects:

• Peer model and Peer volunteer project.
• Group work and group facilitation.
• How to organise, deliver, evaluate and report an effective group session.
• Confidentiality, Safeguarding.
• Professional boundaries.
• Relevant new knowledge if required e.g., Refugees and Asylum Seekers rights, digital skills etc.

What skills and qualities do I need?

• Interested in learning and developing new skills.
• Effective communication, good listening skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good management skills.
• Encourage and support group members to get involved in group activities to improve their knowledge and their skills.
• IT skills including Microsoft office.

What do I get out of it?

• The chance to work and engage with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Gain experience in organising events, group discussions, and group activities.
• New Scots training in working with refugees and asylum seekers and ongoing development.
• Experience and knowledge of working within the human rights charity sector.
• Reference for future job applications.

 To protect all our volunteers and service users this role is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.

How to Apply?

• Deadline for applications: November 10 Friday, or until interview slots are filled. When we reach the maximum number of we are able to interview, we will close the application form.
• Click here to complete the volunteer application form
• We will contact you soon after the dealine to invite you to a volunteer interview.

Do you have any questions about this volunteer role?
Contact our volunteering team at  volunteering@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk.

Need support or information about he application process?
Please email us at volunteering@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk, or read our Frequently Asked Questions