About the Refugee Council

Founded in 1951, the Refugee Council exists to support people who come to the UK in need of safety and our purpose is to advocate with them for compassion, fairness and kindness. We achieve this by providing expert advice and casework, building the capacity of refugee community organisations, and working with allies across society to change government policy.

The Refugee Council is one of the leading organisations in the UK working with refugees and people seeking asylum.

Learn more about the Refugee Council here

About IKEA UPPNÅ & Professionals

The Refugee Council and IKEA are working in partnership to help refugees to apply for jobs with IKEA and in the wider labour market.

Successful clients who attend our employability skills training course have the opportunity to interview for a paid eight-week work placement at their local IKEA store. Those who complete the work placement successfully can apply for permanent roles at IKEA as internal applicants.

About this role

Volunteers will have the opportunity to support our IKEA UPPNÅ & Professionals project team during the remote employability skills training courses by carrying out the main task of their role.

What could I be doing?

• Encourage clients to engage with the online sessions and support them to get the most out of the course
• Support the IKEA Employment Co-ordinator in preparing and delivering the course
• Assist the project team by facilitating break out room discussions and assist with activities
• Support individuals or groups of clients to participate in and complete employability skills-based group work
• Support other volunteers to engage with and facilitate the activities
• Help clients who need extra support to complete tasks
• Assist with monitoring and recording attendance and engagement
• Report any matters of concern about clients, staff or other volunteers to the Volunteer Coordinator in a timely and professional manner

Useful skills and experience

You will have:

• Experience of delivering groups sessions/teaching/training helpful but not essential
• A good level of spoken and written English and listening skills
• Confident and creative in interacting with people who speak English as a second language and/or with low level English language skills
• Ability to work with colleagues and clients from different cultural backgrounds
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries
• A commitment and interest in supporting refugees in employment and educational access
• Some understanding of the barriers issues faced by refugees in the UK in accessing learning, or a willingness to improve current knowledge
• Experience of working one-on-one or small groups of clients who might need additional help. • An appreciation of the importance of confidentiality and data protection

Time commitment

Up to two half-days a week Monday–Friday, 10:00 – 13:00

Hours can be flexible according to the demands of the project.

We would like all volunteers who join as an Employment Support Volunteer to join with the intention of staying for at least six months.

This role is subject to a satisfactory basic level Disclosure and Barring Service check. Repeat checks are initiated every two years.

Learn more about this role by downloading our task description here [PDF].

You can apply for this role using this application form [DOCX].

Interested? Contact Shana de Silva at shana.desilva@refugeecouncil.org.uk for more information.