Volunteering

Generally speaking, people who are seeking asylum in the UK are not able to work (though this may be changing and we’ll keep you posted). For many, volunteering is an excellent way to get useful experience, meet new people and to contribute (and gain) skills. Most volunteering organisations will also pay vital travel expenses. We’ve generally referred you to the community organisations section, as many of these groups also provide volunteering opportunities or connections to voluntary organisations. For more information on the restrictions placed on asylum seekers’ employment opportunities, please see the legal organisations section of the website.

This sections covers the following categories;

-Nation-wide

-Manchester

-Sheffield

-Bristol

-Leicester

-Devon

-Dover

-Liverpool (Merseyside)

-Newcastle

-Birmingham

Nation-wide

Volunteering England

This organisation is useful for getting started. The volunteering opportunities are organised by region and contact details are provided for all their local offices across England.

www.volunteering.org.uk/WhatWeDo/Local+and+Regional/findoutaboutvolunteeringinyourarea.htm

Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL

Tel: 08453 056 979

Email: volunteering@volunteeringengland.org

Refugee Action

These regional offices are very useful and provide volunteering opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees, many of which provide expenses for volunteers without it affecting your immigration status. Volunteering opportunities are available in Manchester, Plymouth, Nottingham, Bristol, Leicester, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Liverpool; contact local branches for more information on how to apply.

www.refugee-action.org.uk/ourwork/WhereWeWork.aspx

The Old Fire Station, 150 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8SB

Tel: 02076 547 700 Fax: 02074 013 699

Email: info@refugeeaction.org.uk

Refugee Council

This website provides a number of volunteer opportunities in the East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire, and London. Contact the local volunteer coordinator in your area (which you’ll find on the website) for more information.

www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/volunteering/volunteer/where_you_can_volunteer/

Tel: 02073 466 727 (London volunteer office)

Emails can be sent through the ‘Where you can volunteer’ section on the website

Time Bank

This organisation provides details on volunteering opportunities throughout the UK including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

www.timebank.org.uk/volunteer/index.php

2nd Floor, Downstream Building, 1 London Bridge SE1 9BG

Tel: 08454 561 668

Do-It.org.uk

This organisation provides a centralised database of thousands of volunteering positions all over the UK. The website allows you to search either by post code/region or area of interest. It is an excellent place to start!

www.do-it.org/

First Floor, 50 Featherstone Street, London, EC1Y 8RT

Tel: 02072 505 700 Fax: 02072 503 695

Emails can be sent through the ‘Contact us’ section of the website.

Jobs in Charities

A website with a volunteer search engine where you can enter the type of position and location that you’re interested in.

www.jobsincharities.co.uk

Emails can be sent through the ‘Contact us’ section of the website.

Volunteer Centres

Volunteer Centres (VCs) are local agencies that promote and develop volunteering. Contact them to find out about volunteering opportunities.

www.volunteer.co.uk

53-55 Praed Street, London W2 1NR

Tel: 02074 028 076 (Westminster centre) Fax: 02074 023 124

Email: info@volunteercentrewestminster.org.uk

Manchester

Horizons

This organisation assists asylum seekers in finding volunteering opportunities. Currently, thirty-one organisations in the Manchester area are involved in and support this project, which is run by Refugee Action’s local branch.

www.refugee-action.org/ourwork/projects/Horizons.aspx

4th floor, Dale House, 35 Dale Street, Manchester M1 2HF

Tel: 01612 331 201 or 01612 331 427 Fax: 01612 331 420

Email: horizons@refugee-action.org.uk

Sheffield

Northern Refugee Centre

This organisation promotes the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into mainstream UK society. There are many opportunities for volunteering within the organisation, and information is provided on opportunities outside of NRC.

www.nrcentre.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=11

Scotia Works, Leadmill Road, Sheffield S1 4SE

Tel: 01142 412 780 Fax: 01142 412 744

Emails can be sent through the ‘Contact us’ section of the website.

Bristol

Volunteering Bristol

This organisation provides a searchable database of all volunteering opportunities in the Bristol area. You can search by your area of interest.

www.bristolvolunteers.org.uk/default.asp

Royal Oak House, Royal Oak Avenue, Bristol BS1 4GB

Tel: 01179 897 733 Fax: 01179 221 572

Email: info@bristolvolunteers.org.uk

Leicester

Volunteering Leicestershire

This is the regional office branch of Volunteering England. See their website for further details of opportunities in your area.

www.volunteeringleicestershire.org.uk/

Devon

Volunteer Devon

Search this website for further information on volunteering opportunities in your area of Devon. Enquiries must be sent through the ‘Contact’ section on the website. No telephone number or address is provided.

www.volunteerdevon.net/