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Volunteer Support Assistant


There are various types of Volunteer Support Assistant Roles across our various projects - please see the different options below. 

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Volunteer Support Assistant - General Drop-in

Click the tabs to reveal more information or click the button below to download the role description 
Tasks Involved
Working with the advisor your role will be to support asylum seekers and refugees by:
  • Registering clients.
  • Inputting data on to our database.
  • Signposting to appropriate services.
  • Assisting clients to search for jobs.
  • Developing a CV, assisting with job applications. 
  • Applying for equipment and furniture. 
  • Providing a friendly point of contact. 
  • Assisting clients with transition to other services at RETAS. 
  • Provide Feedback to RETAS on the development of our projects. 
Skills and qualifications required
  • Good level of English spoken.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Good active listening skills.
  • A people person.
  • Work well with and contribute to a team.
  • Able to use your own initiative.
  • Self management.
Time commitment and location
  • Weekly Commitment
  • Commitment of 4 hours a week - General support drop-in from 9:30am-1:30pm every Friday
  • Based in main Leeds office (233-237 Roundhay Road, LS8 4HS)
  • Travel expenses are provided. 
Training and support
  • A full training program will be provided including induction training, drop-in training (scheduled sessions and shadowing). 
  • Each volunteer will have a training and development plan.
  • Support is provided by the drop-in staff and the Volunteer coordinator. 
  • Regular volunteer events to share ideas and socialize with volunteers and staff.
  • Supervision with the volunteer co-ordinator on a quarterly basis.
Benefits to volunteer
  • Feel that you are helping people make a successful transition into the UK.
  • Meeting people from different cultures.
  • Part of a thriving charity.
  • New skills for your CV including time management, active listening skills, supporting people in a challenging situation. 
  • Make friends.
  • Potential to move onto other volunteer roles.
  • Experience of volunteering in the UK.
  • Full training program. 
Explore Other Volunteer Roles

Volunteer Support Assistant - Finance & Housing; 28 Days & New Roots (Engage)

Click the tabs to reveal more information or click the button below to download the role description 
Tasks Involved
When a person is granted refugee status, they are given 28 days notice to leave their Home Office accommodation and find financial support. The volunteer role supports advisers to help individuals and families to overcome challenges in these areas. 
Tasks will include: 
  • Registering clients.
  • Applying for Universal Credit. 
  • Supporting to open a bank account. 
  • Assisting clients to search for jobs, including CV preparation. 
  • Helping to search for housing (temporary, council and private)
  • Applying for equipment and furniture. 
  • Signposting to services across the city. 
  • Providing a friendly point of contact. 
  • Assisting clients with transition to other services at RETAS. 
  • Providing feedback to RETAS on development of our projects. 
  • Inputting data into the database. 
Skills and qualifications required
  • Good level of English spoken.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Good active listening skills.
  • A people person.
  • Work well with and contribute to a team.
  • Able to use your own initiative.
  • Self management.
Time commitment and location
  • Weekly Commitment of 4 hours on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. 
  • Based in main Leeds office (233-237 Roundhay Road, LS8 4HS). 
  • Travel expenses are provided. 
Training and support
  • A full training program will be provided including induction training, training on all the tasks above (group/ shadowing sessions). 
  • Each volunteer will have a training and development plan.
  • All volunteers will be assigned a mentor. 
  • Regular volunteer events to share ideas and socialize with volunteers and staff.
  • Supervision with the volunteer co-ordinator on a quarterly basis.
Benefits to volunteer
  • Feel that you are helping people make a successful transition into the UK.
  • Meeting people from different cultures.
  • Part of a thriving charity.
  • New skills for your CV including time management, active listening skills, supporting people in a challenging situation. 
  • Make friends.
  • Potential to move onto other volunteer roles.
  • Experience of volunteering in the UK.
  • Full training program. 
Explore Other Volunteer Roles

​Volunteer Support Assistant -  Education & Employment; New Roots (Aspire)

Click the tabs to reveal more information or click the button below to download the role description 
Tasks Involved
Working with the advisor, your role will be to support refugees on our New Roots Project. The Aspire part of the New Roots Project helps clients to access education and employment opportunities. 
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You will support our clients by: 
  • Completing client registrations. 
  • Signposting to appropriate services. 
  • Assisting clients to search for jobs and complete application forms. 
  • Assisting with job applications. 
  • Helping clients to look for educational opportunities i.e. university, college, courses and apprenticeships.  
  • Searching for volunteer opportunities to help clients develop their skills. 
  • Supporting clients with personal statements for university. 
  • Providing a friendly point of contact. 
  • Assisting clients with a transition to other services at RETAS. 
  • Inputting information onto our database. 
  • Providing feedback to RETAS on development of our projects. 
Skills and qualifications required
  • Good level of English spoken.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Good active listening skills.
  • A people person.
  • Work well with and contribute to a team.
  • Able to use your own initiative.
  • Self management.
Time commitment and location
  • Weekly Commitment of 3 hours. 
  • Based in main Leeds office (233-237 Roundhay Road, LS8 4HS). 
  • Travel expenses are provided. 
Training and support
  • A full training program will be provided including induction training, training on CV development, job searching and making university applications (scheduled sessions and shadowing). 
  • Each volunteer will have a training and development plan.
  • Support is provided by a dedicated staff mentor and the Volunteer Coordinator. 
  • Regular volunteer events to share ideas and socialize with volunteers and staff.
  • Supervision with the volunteer co-ordinator on a quarterly basis.
Benefits to volunteer
  • Feel that you are helping people make a successful transition into the UK.
  • Meeting people from different cultures.
  • Part of a thriving charity.
  • New skills for your CV including time management, active listening skills, supporting people in a challenging situation. 
  • Make friends.
  • Potential to move onto other volunteer roles.
  • Experience of volunteering in the UK.
  • Full training program. 
Explore Other Volunteer Roles

Volunteer Support Assistant -  Housing Support Group Coordinator

Click the tabs to reveal more information or click the button below to download the role description 
Tasks Involved
Working with the 28 Day and New Roots Project teams, your role will be to coordinate the support provided by volunteers to support and educate refugees about housing services and other related services in Leeds.
You will support our clients by: 
  • Coordinating if volunteers attending the weekly housing support group. 
  • Coordinating volunteer tasks during the group session. 
  • Assisting with monitoring, training and development of volunteers. 
  • Explaining the process of accessing accommodation to client on a one-to-one or group basis. 
  • Helping fill out Leeds Homes application forms. 
  • Searching for homes for single males/ females and families. 
  • Contacting landlords to arrange viewings. 
  • Signposting to appropriate services. 
  • Informing advisers of any issues. 
  • Applying for equipment and furniture. 
  • Assisting clients with transition to other services at RETAS. 
  • Inputting data onto the database. 
  • Making recommendations for the project team to develop the operational and strategic services for the group. 
Skills and qualifications required
Essential
  • Good level of English spoken.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Good active listening skills.
  • A people person.
  • Work well with and contribute to a team.
  • Able to use your own initiative.
  • Self management.
  • Desireable
  • Knowledge of housing issues. 
  • Languages - Arabic, Tigrinya, Farsi, French, Kurdish and Amharic. 
Time commitment and location
  • Weekly Commitment of 3.5 hours on a Thursday morning 9:30am - 1pm. 
  • Based in main Leeds office (233-237 Roundhay Road, LS8 4HS). 
  • Travel expenses are provided. 
Training and support
  • A full training program will be provided including induction training, 2 hours session on accessing housing and the challenges involved. Volunteers will be provided with a training and development plan. 
  • Each volunteer will have a training and development plan.
  • Support is provided by the 28 Day & New Roots project team and Volunteer Coordinator. 
  • Regular volunteer events to share ideas and socialize with volunteers and staff.
  • Supervision with the volunteer co-ordinator on a quarterly basis.
Benefits to volunteer
  • Feel that you are helping people make a successful transition into the UK.
  • Meeting people from different cultures.
  • Part of a thriving charity.
  • New skills for your CV including time management, active listening skills, supporting people in a challenging situation. 
  • Make friends.
  • Potential to move onto other volunteer roles.
  • Experience of volunteering in the UK.
  • Full training program. 
Explore Other Volunteer Roles

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    Volunteer Application Form

    We will respond to your application within two weeks of receipt. 
    ​
    BASIC DETAILS
    (Travel expenses are reimbursed) 

    AVAILABILITY, INTEREST & EXPERIENCE

    REFERENCES

    CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

    DECLARATION
Submit

Contact Us

233-237 Roundhay Road
The Roundhay Road Resource Centre
Leeds, LS8 4HS
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Telephone: 0113 380 5630
Mobile: 07949 796180

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Email: ​​info@retasleeds.org.uk

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RETAS is a registered Charity. Charity Number: 1121330 - Company Number 6365085
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Our Policies & Procedures
    • Our Partners & Funders
    • Community languages
  • What We Do
    • ESOL Classes
    • Welcome to Leeds Project
    • 28 Day Transition Project
    • New Roots >
      • Engage
      • Aspire
    • Syrian Resettlement Programme
    • The Selim Project
    • Signposting & Advocacy
  • Access Our Services
    • Refer To Us
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Vacancies
  • DONATE