VOLUNTEERING WITH US
We want to celebrate the difference our volunteers are making in the community, so we spoke to three of our volunteers to hear about their experience with Elmbridge CAN. Read on to find out more and discover how you can get involved.
WHAT WORK HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH ELMBRIDGE CAN?
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Randa
"My involvement has varied from taking the refugees to appointments at job centres and helping them fill in forms to taking them on days out. We took one of the children on the train when she started college, so that she could see the route and learn how to buy the tickets. We also took them London – they were a bit startled by the tube and not prepared for the freezing weather, but we saw the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and London Bridge – and they were really pleased." |
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Mona
"Initially I supported with collections for the refugee families. Once the families arrived, I was introduced to them – I took them to hospital appointments, and took them out into the local community so they could chat with other people on their own." |
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Fraser
"As a community relations volunteer, I've been building our local networks. I've managed to set up a talk at Claygate Women's Institute – they're great partners and when we're in need of donations, they spread the word. I've also been visiting the refugee families and setting up computers for them, so they have access to internet." |
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO?
Randa: Meeting the families and seeing them settled is really nice. It’s great to see the children going to school and to see the adults going to college and learning English. To see them getting on with life... and being able to help them.
Mona: Showing the families around is great. I took one of the women to Elmbridge library and introduced her to the librarian, a Romanian lady who was very welcoming and smiley. It’s great to introduce her to new people so she’s not dependent on me.
Fraser: Meeting the families and spending time with them has been a highlight for me. One of the families thought their computer was broken... it was great to fix it for them and give them the independence and access to the wider world that the internet can provide.
Randa: Meeting the families and seeing them settled is really nice. It’s great to see the children going to school and to see the adults going to college and learning English. To see them getting on with life... and being able to help them.
Mona: Showing the families around is great. I took one of the women to Elmbridge library and introduced her to the librarian, a Romanian lady who was very welcoming and smiley. It’s great to introduce her to new people so she’s not dependent on me.
Fraser: Meeting the families and spending time with them has been a highlight for me. One of the families thought their computer was broken... it was great to fix it for them and give them the independence and access to the wider world that the internet can provide.
WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST DIFFICULT ABOUT IT?
Randa: The sadness – that they’ve had to leave their home and come somewhere so strange. That’s the hardest bit.
Mona: The challenge for me is how to be welcoming and supportive without mismanaging expectations, especially being an Arabic speaker. It’s something I’ve really had to think about.
Fraser: I don't speak the language, so it's hard to have in depth conversations with the families. We can communicate in other ways, but it would be great if I could speak Arabic and fully converse with them.
Randa: The sadness – that they’ve had to leave their home and come somewhere so strange. That’s the hardest bit.
Mona: The challenge for me is how to be welcoming and supportive without mismanaging expectations, especially being an Arabic speaker. It’s something I’ve really had to think about.
Fraser: I don't speak the language, so it's hard to have in depth conversations with the families. We can communicate in other ways, but it would be great if I could speak Arabic and fully converse with them.
FINALLY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE THINKING OF VOLUNTEERING?
Randa: I would say, it’s really rewarding to be part of the Elmbridge CAN family – you meet new people, volunteers, team leaders and the refugee families. And the fact you’re helping somebody in need is so rewarding.
Mona: I would say, be very clear about how much you want to get involved and how to maintain a good balance so you don’t get too upset. Keep your energy up and think how much you can give, so that you can really make a difference.
Fraser: To make sure you have the time to put into it, and take on only what you can commit to.
Randa: I would say, it’s really rewarding to be part of the Elmbridge CAN family – you meet new people, volunteers, team leaders and the refugee families. And the fact you’re helping somebody in need is so rewarding.
Mona: I would say, be very clear about how much you want to get involved and how to maintain a good balance so you don’t get too upset. Keep your energy up and think how much you can give, so that you can really make a difference.
Fraser: To make sure you have the time to put into it, and take on only what you can commit to.
Get involved
In 2017, we supported the resettlement of 5 families in and around Elmbridge – setting up the houses, providing direct family support and helping them to learn English. We'll be helping more families this year and we need more volunteers, so that we can provide the best support possible.
If you've been inspired by Randa, Mona and Fraser's words please check out our current volunteer vacancies or contact us for an informal chat about how you might be able to help.
If you've been inspired by Randa, Mona and Fraser's words please check out our current volunteer vacancies or contact us for an informal chat about how you might be able to help.
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