Volunteer
“JRS UK volunteers are integral to our work. Without the volunteers, JRS UK could not do as much as it does." Louise
The work of JRS UK is supported by a number of volunteers, without whom a number of services provided by JRS UK would not be able to exist. The volunteering opportunities at JRS UK will regularly be updated so keep an eye on this page to find the right role for you.
In order to volunteer at JRS UK we ask that you are able to commit for a time of 3 months in order for relationships between volunteers and those we accompany to develop. We are only able to take on volunteers who are older than 18.
If you have any questions about volunteering with JRS UK then please do get in touch.
Please look at the international website for international opportunities.
You can volunteer in different ways with JRS UK:
“I realise how fortunate I’ve been to have had the opportunity of being part of the big JRS family.” Gael
At Home Host
Our At Home hosting scheme is a lifeline for many destitute refugees who find themselves sleeping on the streets. Our hosting placements are available thanks to families, communities and religious congregations opening their homes to one of our refugee friends. To be a host, individuals must be able to offer a room for a period of 3 months in Greater London.
Detention Visitor
Our Detention visitors provide a warm and friendly presence at a time when many can feel isolated and alone. Our visitors spend one hour a week visiting individuals at the Immigration Removal Centres at Heathrow where they offer a listening ear and emotional support, helping to break down this isolation. Visitors organise weekly visits of 1 hour (plus travel time) with additional time for meetings, mentoring and training.
Day Centre Volunteer
Every Thursday JRS UK run a day centre where we welcome destitute refugees into a warm and friendly environment. Our Day Centre volunteers help in a number of ways through the day and ensure that our refugee friends are greeted by a friendly face and have a listening ear.
Chef's Assistant
During our weekly Day Centre, our refugee friends are served a healthy, hot meal, with over 100 meals served each week. The chef’s assistant will help our volunteer chef to prepare and serve the meal through the day and ensure the kitchen is kept clean and is run smoothly.
Day Centre Volunteer: Vietnamese Speaker
Every Thursday JRS UK run a day centre where we welcome destitute refugees into a warm and friendly environment. For some of our refugee friends who do not yet speak English, even the simplest tasks can become daunting, and feelings of isolation and loneliness are often overwhelming. For this reason, we are currently looking for volunteers who are available to accompany our Vietnamese-speaking friends who have recently been released from detention, supporting them while they are improving their English.
Accompaniment Volunteer: Reporting
Many of our refugee friends are required to report to the Home Office immigration authorities at a frequency and time set by the Home Office. Going to report can trigger fear or high levels of anxiety or disorientation. JRS UK are looking for volunteers who can accompany, in person, refugee friends who would welcome this form of moral support.
Accompaniment Volunteer: Embassy
Many of our refugee friends are in limbo because they cannot get documentation – the UK does not recognise their right to be here and countries that they are from refuse to document them. In some cases, the Home Office have disputed their nationality. For some, a way forward is to show they are unable to obtain documentation by trying to do so, by approaching the embassy. This is a big step to take and they need someone to be with them not only to give moral support but also to witness and record what happens and be ready to give evidence of this.
JRS UK are looking for volunteers who can accompany, in person, refugee friends who would welcome this form of support when visiting embassies.
Other Volunteering Roles
At JRS UK we are always open to developing skills and talents of our refugee friends and our volunteers. If you have a specific skill which you would like to share with us and think could help the work of JRS UK then please get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.
