Volunteer
JRS UK volunteers are integral to our work. Without our dedicated volunteers, we could not help those seeking asylum.
Scroll down to see current opportunities.
The Coronavirus outbreak is of particular concern for the refugees we support at JRS UK, and many of our current volunteers who are elderly. Your support is more important now than ever.
We have set up a new Emergency Response Team to distribute food parcels and hygiene packs to the most vulnerable refugee friends we support, taking the essential help from our Day Centre out onto the road. We also continue our Detention Outreach and Destitution services over the phone, accompanying those held in Heathrow Immigration Removal Centres, and those living destitute in the community.
Without our volunteers we simply could not run any of these services. Browse our current volunteering opportunities below.
If you have a skill or talent that you wish to contribute to the work of JRS UK, please do get in touch and we’ll see what we can do. We are always open to developing skills and talents of our refugee friends and our volunteers.
Please note: for all volunteering roles at JRS, we are only able to take on volunteers who are older than 18.
To volunteer with JRS UK please e-mail uk@jrs.net to request an application form.
Please check back on this page regularly as it will be updated with further volunteer roles during the coronavirus
“I realise how fortunate I’ve been to have had the opportunity of being part of the big JRS family.”
Gael, JRS Volunteer
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Detention Welfare Volunteer
JRS UK are in urgent need of volunteers to help support those detained at the Heathrow Immigration Removal Centres, in line with the JRS mission of accompaniment. This role will offer confidential practical assistance such as assessing paperwork and liaising with legal representatives and other NGOs, as well as non-judgmental emotional support and a listening ear during a time which can be incredibly isolating for those detained. Volunteers must have ability to build trust and make people feel relaxed, with strong communication, literacy and listening skills, and plenty of patience and sensitivity.
We particularly welcome applications from people with migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Minimum commitment period for this role: 6 months
We are currently seeking volunteers who can speak any of the following languages: Albanian, Arabic, Farsi, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Sorani, Urdu, Vietnamese
JRS will provide induction, training and support to all volunteers.
To apply for this role please e-mail Sara at uk@jrs.net to request an application form.
Phone Support Volunteer (Emotional Support & Befriending)
JRS UK are looking for volunteers who can assist with making regular phone calls to refugees to provide emotional support and friendship during this time. Many of our refugee friends feel even more isolated and lonely as a result of the pandemic and their needs often become more urgent, sometimes falling in and out of crisis. In line with the JRS mission of accompaniment, this role offers the chance for encounter, mutual relationship, and companionship by lending a listening ear to those of our refugee friends who need somebody to talk to.
Minimum time commitment for this role: 3 months
We are in particular need of Amharic speakers for this role
JRS will provide induction and support to all volunteers.
To apply for this role please e-mail Sara atuk@jrs.netto request an application form.
Refugee host with 'At Home'
One of the greatest challenges faced by the refugees accompanied by JRS UK, is the lack of accommodation. The JRS At Home programme organises short term accommodation with individuals, parishes and religious communities for refugees who would otherwise be homeless.
If you live in the London area and have a spare room, you could make a huge difference to the life of refugee.
