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

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 are currently seeking volunteers who can speak any of the following languages: Albanian, Arabic, Farsi, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Sorani, Urdu, Vietnamese

We particularly welcome applications from people with migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Minimum commitment period for this role: 6 months

JRS will provide induction, training and support to all volunteers.

Download full role description

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.

Download full role description.

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 at uk@jrs.net to request an application form.

Volunteer Driver (Emergency Response Team)

The COVID pandemic has suspended most day centres supporting destitute migrants leaving many with no source of support. JRS UK are in urgent need of volunteer deliverers who can collect food parcels and hygiene packs from the JRS UK office in Wapping and deliver them to vulnerable refugees in London. It is essential that those applying for this role have a full clean driving licence and access to a car (or bicycle with a trailer), and are willing to drive in London.

Volunteer availability: Mon – Fri during the day. Please note we are currently not making deliveries during evenings & weekends

Download full role description

To apply for this role please e-mail Sara at uk@jrs.net to request an application form.