We have many ways you can get involved with volunteering at Refugee Futures, from on off events supporting local organisations to regular placements.
The Action Asylum project connects people seeking asylum and refugees to volunteering opportunities with different organisations in Stockton and Teesside.
Through the Action Asylum project, you can spend time helping organisations and volunteering with local people in many different ways: helping with tree planting and environmental conservation, supporting with events and festivals, supporting older people, and getting involved with community gardens.
“The changes since I started volunteering, the networks I have met, have yielded a lot of fruits. Now I’m involved with a lot of projects around Stockton. You think you’re going to go and do a task, but no, it actually introduces you to people and friends who are going to help you achieve your dreams and desires.” Shirley, Action Asylum volunteer
Through our Skillsmatch project, we match refugees and people seeking asylum to regular volunteer placements that will support you to build skills and knowledge for work in the UK.
We will provide one-to-one and group support to help you apply for placements you are interested in and build your confidence in preparing for and attending interviews.
We will support you to use or develop the skills and knowledge you have, so you can gain experience in a UK work environment which will support you to take steps towards work in the future.
People taken part in placements in many different sectors and work places, including in the health and social care sector, schools, local government, charities and businesses.
If you would like to know more about how we can support you to apply for a placement please get in touch via the ‘Contact Us‘ button below.
Are you an organisation or business interested in hosting a placement?
Through our Skillsmatch project, we broker relationships between organisations and skilled people. We work in the local community and listen to the needs expressed by employers. To find out more please click the ‘Provide a Placement’ button below.
“[The most significant change for me was] “Getting my job. Your confidence in me, seeing something in me and thinking I could do it. After placement, coming here and hearing you saying we believe in you; I didn’t know I could do it. Before I didn’t have confidence. I felt like I didn’t belong here. But now I know I belong, and I have something alive in me I didn’t know was there” James Kamara, who is now working at Positive Support for You after completing his Skillsmatch placement.
“We’re now actually recruiting people from ethnic minorities in our company. It wasn’t that we didn’t want to, it was that we couldn’t attract and reach people. Doing this work with Refugee Futures has meant we’ve been able to attract people. […] They’re great people and just make you smile! James is a bundle of happiness – the three people he supports think he is great” Catriona Macdonald, Director of Operations, Positive Support for You, Skillsmatch Placement Provide