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 the Resettlement Team

The UK Government has committed itself to Refugee Resettlement Schemes, whereby people fleeing persecution are selected and processed in the region of origin and brought to the UK with their status already determined. Under this scheme a specific quota of refugees (single or within a family unit) will be coming to the UK for resettlement.

The resettlement team in Hertfordshire provides advice and support for resettled refugees to help them access services and mainstream provision and establish community links. Working closely with local stakeholders and in partnership with other voluntary sector agencies running similar services across the UK, the Refugee Council resettlement team promotes both the integration and independence of this group.

The Refugee Council in Hertfordshire works in partnership with the nine different Hertfordshire local authorities to support these councils’ commitment to resettle families in their boroughs.

About this role

The Hertfordshire Women’s Group is a fortnightly space where the resettled women we support come together to socialise, do different types of activities, and have fun. This group is very important for our clients as it supports them be creative, create social networks and prevent isolation by increasing the sense of social inclusion.

We are looking for a female volunteer who will play a key role in supporting our CDC planning and facilitating this group. The volunteer will be supported by the CDC, and other members of the Resettlement Team.

What could I be doing?

• Planning, preparing and delivering activities for the Women’s Group, with the needed support from the CDC
• Contributing ideas and feedback on different activities that could be introduced in the group
• Helping with practical tasks, such as setting up/packing down the spaces, making tea/coffee for the women, and putting together invites for the group
• Supporting the CDC to facilitate a space where women feel safe, and their confidentiality is respected
• Working with the Refugee Council’s interpreters to communicate with clients who do not speak English as their first language
• Supporting the women in the group to run activities themselves and encouraging client leadership in the group/activities
• Communicating, with support from the CDC, with external agencies and professionals who might run workshops in the group

Useful skills and experience

• Empathy
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Treat people with respect regardless of their background and demonstrate a non-judgmental attitude
• Willingness to empathise and learn about refugee issues
• Reliable, trustworthy, and proactive
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Punctual
• Confident and creative to communicate with people who don’t speak or speak very little English
• Willingness to attend training (e.g. understanding trauma training, working with interpreters)
• Knowledge of Arabic, Pashto, or Dari would be desirable, but not essential

People with lived experience of displacement are encouraged to apply.

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

You can learn more about this role by downloading our task description here [DOCX].

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

Interested? Contact Mohamed Makki at mohamed.makki@refugeecouncil.org.uk for more information.