YOUR SKILLS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE
Join our energetic team of volunteers.
Volunteer with us
The Elmbridge CAN team includes people from all walks of life - from teachers and business consultants to charity professionals and homemakers. We bring together our unique skills and with a tonne of positive energy, pursue projects we feel will help us achieve our aims.
Unfortunately, we can't generally accept applications from under 18s (except in some limited circumstances where they are accompanied by a parent).
WHAT DO OUR VOLUNTEERS DO?
Our volunteering ethos is based on getting to know each family, so that we can provide individualised, community-based support. It's easy to forget, when we use labels like 'refugee' that these people are survivors, and many are leaders, teachers, artists, and workers from all backgrounds. Many are qualified business professionals, entrepreneurs or healthcare practitioners. All refugee families have experienced trauma and loss. We try to change the narrative, away from the "saviour/victim" cliche, and instead of introducing an individual in our community as a “refugee” we try to use language they themselves would identify with, e.g. “a father of three from Syria,” “a mother and teacher from Iran” etc... We have the attitude of learning from each other.
Unfortunately, we can't generally accept applications from under 18s (except in some limited circumstances where they are accompanied by a parent).
WHAT DO OUR VOLUNTEERS DO?
Our volunteering ethos is based on getting to know each family, so that we can provide individualised, community-based support. It's easy to forget, when we use labels like 'refugee' that these people are survivors, and many are leaders, teachers, artists, and workers from all backgrounds. Many are qualified business professionals, entrepreneurs or healthcare practitioners. All refugee families have experienced trauma and loss. We try to change the narrative, away from the "saviour/victim" cliche, and instead of introducing an individual in our community as a “refugee” we try to use language they themselves would identify with, e.g. “a father of three from Syria,” “a mother and teacher from Iran” etc... We have the attitude of learning from each other.
Volunteers provide practical and holistic support for starting a new life. This "roadmap" illustrates the process from arrival to becoming a fully contributing, thriving member of the community.
WE LOVE PEOPLE WITH:
To find out more about what it's like volunteering with Elmbridge CAN read this interview with three volunteers.
- Commitment and drive
We need passionate and energetic individuals who want to invest their spare time in making a real difference to refugees. - Creativity
There are many challenges involved in resettling refugees locally and we need people who are able to think outside of the box and win others over with their ideas. - Commercial skills
Fundraising, networking, marketing, project management, strategy and proposal writing - our projects need a broad ranger of skills to make an impact. - Connections
Finding and knowing the right people makes a big difference to getting things done. Many of our volunteers are great at networking and can connect people and projects to help us achieve our goals.
To find out more about what it's like volunteering with Elmbridge CAN read this interview with three volunteers.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER VACANCIES
Updated January 2024
Handyperson
If you have good practical or DIY skills and some time to spare, we'd really love to hear from you! Our work includes helping newcomers settle into their new homes and they often need help with practical matters such as building or adapting furniture, putting up curtains and so on. This is a valuable role which makes a real difference to displaced families, and involves working closely with our material donations team. If this could be you, we'd love to chat to you about how it could work. Please start by filling in the application form below.
If you have good practical or DIY skills and some time to spare, we'd really love to hear from you! Our work includes helping newcomers settle into their new homes and they often need help with practical matters such as building or adapting furniture, putting up curtains and so on. This is a valuable role which makes a real difference to displaced families, and involves working closely with our material donations team. If this could be you, we'd love to chat to you about how it could work. Please start by filling in the application form below.
Communications volunteers - including website admin
We are currently looking for both an experienced, lead Communications volunteer, to help direct our strategy and work with our team of other Communications volunteers, and someone who has time to spare on a regular basis to help us with basic website updates. For either of these positions, please fill in the form below.
We are currently looking for both an experienced, lead Communications volunteer, to help direct our strategy and work with our team of other Communications volunteers, and someone who has time to spare on a regular basis to help us with basic website updates. For either of these positions, please fill in the form below.
Employment advisers - trade experience
We are looking for more volunteers to join our dedicated team of employment advisers - specifically any who have experience of getting trained and employed in specialist trades: for example as an electrician, plumber, hairstylist, chef or mechanic. Start by filling in the application form below.
We are looking for more volunteers to join our dedicated team of employment advisers - specifically any who have experience of getting trained and employed in specialist trades: for example as an electrician, plumber, hairstylist, chef or mechanic. Start by filling in the application form below.
Family support volunteers and translators
We always want to hear from prospective volunteers with any of these skills:
We always want to hear from prospective volunteers with any of these skills:
- Speakers of Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto or Dari
- Those who have experience of working with refugee and asylum-seeking people
- Those who are particularly suited to / willing to be trained in this work, and who are able and willing to commit significant and flexible time. To help us when we welcome new families and support them in a number of ways from administrative tasks – including registering for bank accounts, benefits, medical services and schools – to local orientation, support learning English or simply friendship.
ESOL teachers and subject-specific tutors
The refugees we support want to learn English - so that they can make friends, find work and access essential services. This is an essential success factor for them to move through the 'confidence & independence' stage of resettlement. If you're a qualified ESOL teacher, or an experienced teacher of GCSE level Maths, English, Science, and/or any A level subjects, we'd love to hear from you. We would also consider young tutors who have recently studied for these exams and would be willing to help others. DBS checking is necessary for all volunteers with direct contact. Please do fill in the application form below.
The refugees we support want to learn English - so that they can make friends, find work and access essential services. This is an essential success factor for them to move through the 'confidence & independence' stage of resettlement. If you're a qualified ESOL teacher, or an experienced teacher of GCSE level Maths, English, Science, and/or any A level subjects, we'd love to hear from you. We would also consider young tutors who have recently studied for these exams and would be willing to help others. DBS checking is necessary for all volunteers with direct contact. Please do fill in the application form below.
We recognise that volunteers will incur expenses and we aim to reimburse all reasonable expenses as swiftly and simply as possible, while maintaining adequate control and providing transparency to our stakeholders. To find out more, please read our volunteer expense policy.
The first step to apply for these roles is to fill in the attached VOLUNTEER APPLICATION form .
If you don't match any of the above needs, but are still keen to help and prepared to commit, please fill out the form anyway - it may also be worth contacting larger charities such as Care4Calais who are often looking for volunteers. Please note our work takes place in Elmbridge: if you are outside this area it may be worth contacting a more local charity. We have limited opportunities for those aged under 18 to volunteer with us, and in these circumstances you would need to be accompanied by a parent at all times.
After we receive your application, we'll get in touch for an informal chat, to see how best you can help.
The first step to apply for these roles is to fill in the attached VOLUNTEER APPLICATION form .
If you don't match any of the above needs, but are still keen to help and prepared to commit, please fill out the form anyway - it may also be worth contacting larger charities such as Care4Calais who are often looking for volunteers. Please note our work takes place in Elmbridge: if you are outside this area it may be worth contacting a more local charity. We have limited opportunities for those aged under 18 to volunteer with us, and in these circumstances you would need to be accompanied by a parent at all times.
After we receive your application, we'll get in touch for an informal chat, to see how best you can help.