Asylum and Refugee Care (AARC) Volunteers

Asylum and Refugee Care (AARC)
VO101850

Asylum and Refugee Care (“AARC”) was founded to support individuals seeking asylum and refugees in the Aberdeen area. Since our establishment, we have been committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for people facing the complex challenges of seeking safety and rebuilding their lives in a new country. Our services are focused on empowering vulnerable individuals by providing practical support, advocacy, and a sense of community.

We are entirely volunteer led, and are currently recruiting for volunteers to support us with driving, processing donations, fundraising, general admin, doing school and community group talks and supporting service users to complete paperwork and attend appointments.

As a volunteer with AARC, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting people seeking asylum and refugees in various capacities. The role is versatile, and you can get involved in multiple ways, from providing admin support, collecting donations to providing individual or group support to our service users. You can choose to volunteer in one, or a number of areas. Your contribution will help us provide essential services and foster a sense of community for the people we support.

Below is an outline of the key areas in which you may be involved:

*Administration Support
•Assist with general administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, and maintaining accurate records of service users and volunteers.
•Answer phone calls and respond to emails, providing information or directing inquiries to the appropriate team members.
•Help schedule appointments and meetings for service users with volunteers or external agencies.
•Manage and update volunteer and service user databases, ensuring all information is up to date and compliant with data protection policies.
•Prepare documents, forms, and informational materials for distribution to service users or for internal use.
•Assist with maintaining a calendar of events, workshops, and important deadlines.
•Support the team in tracking project progress and reporting outcomes to funders and stakeholders.
•Help create and distribute newsletters or social media updates to keep service users, volunteers, and supporters informed about AARC’s activities.
•Assist in organising paperwork for funding applications and monitoring reports.
•Ensure that office supplies are stocked and assist with ordering any materials required for day-to-day operations.

*Collecting and Processing Donations
•Help collect donated items, such as clothing, food, and household goods, from local donors or partner organisations.
•Sort and organise donations to ensure they are distributed fairly and appropriately to those in need.
•Assist with maintaining an inventory of donated items and ensuring items are stored safely.
•Prepare donations for distribution and assist in delivering them to service users when necessary.
•Liaise with donors and ensure they receive appropriate thanks and recognition for their contributions.

*Supporting Service Users on a 1:1 basis
•Offer one-on-one support to service users, helping them navigate services such as housing, healthcare, and legal aid.
•Assist individuals with completing forms, applications, and paperwork as needed.
•Provide emotional support and guidance to individuals facing challenges related to their asylum journey.
•Help service users access local services and community resources that can benefit their situation.
•Collaborate with the AARC team to assess individual needs and develop personalised support plans.

*Supporting Service Users in a group setting
•Facilitate group activities or workshops aimed at social integration, such as language classes, cooking, craft sessions, or skills-based workshops.
•Encourage group discussion and peer support among service users, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
•Assist in organising events that bring service users together for social, educational, or cultural purposes.
•Support group members in accessing shared resources, such as community kitchens or learning materials.
•Ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, addressing any challenges that arise within the group.

Excellent support and relevant guidance/training is provided to all volunteers. All prospective volunteers will be invited to attend an open evening to find out more about the charity. From there, you will be matched to the type of volunteering that you are interested in and an application progressed. Training includes induction training covering volunteering with us, our code of conduct, safeguarding, confidentiality and ongoing support/training.

A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. For more information please contact Jayne Smith (Charity Trustee) at email: hi@aarc.charity

Travel details

Volunteering takes place in the community and at our AARC Hub in Central Aberdeen.

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Training details

Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Frequency & commitment

Flexible times to assist. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated.

Volunteers (aged 18-25) taking part in this opportunity are eligible to claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity.
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