The Red Cross has a long tradition of providing practical and emotional support to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Our Refugee Support work with thousands of beneficiaries every year in around fifty different towns and cities enabling people to draw upon their own strengths to withstand crisis and rebuild their lives.
We support refugees and asylum-seekers in a range of ways, from providing emergency provisions for those facing severe hardship to giving advice on how people can access services to which they are entitled. These services are provided in a safe and welcoming environment.
None of this important work would be possible without the skill and enthusiasm of volunteers helping in a variety of ways.
More details of our work with refugees can be found on the Red Cross website: www.redcross.org.uk/refugees
About this role
The casework volunteer will work one-to-one with vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees to help them access suitable support services.
Typical tasks include:
- Providing one to one support to beneficiaries
- Undertaking sensitive and comprehensive interviews with service users to assess their needs
- Agreeing a plan of action with the beneficiary
- Support the beneficiary to access other services, for example from the NHS, legal representatives and Social Services.
- Offering onward referral to relevant bodies as appropriate
- Maintaining effective client records using our data capture system including communicating effectively with the Home Office case owner
- Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding and protection issues with vulnerable clients, including children and vulnerable adults
- Working effectively with interpreters