Volunteer

“I can’t fix the big stuff but I can treat people with dignity and respect and do as much as I can in my own small way.” – from one of our volunteers

Volunteers are key to our work, bringing a range of skills and experience, adding value to everything we do and increasing awareness and empathy for people seeking asylum and with refugee status across different communities. You’ll be part of a friendly and dedicated charity that has been supporting refugees and people seeking asylum for 27 years.

We currently have the following volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in any of these roles, please email office@suffolkrefugee.org.uk

Please note, you must be 18 or over and we will ask you to provide references and undertake a DBS check and Safeguarding training before you begin.

Current opportunities to volunteer with SRS 

Reception Volunteer: Wednesday mornings

You’ll be welcoming visitors and answering the phone at our office in Ipswich. This is a weekly commitment.
Please note: this role involves going up and down stairs.
Role description: Reception volunteer_SRS

Employment & Training Volunteer

You’ll be volunteering alongside our busy Employment & Training team by helping clients send CVs to outside agencies and supporting with various admin tasks. This is a weekly client-facing role at our office in Ipswich.
Role description: Emploment and Training Volunteer_SRS

Advice Volunteer: Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays

You’ll be supporting  our advice team at our drop-in sessions in Ipswich. This is a client-facing, weekly role and you’ll be part of a friendly, supportive and dedicated team.
Role description: Advice Drop In Volunteer_SRS

Evaluations Support Volunteer

You’ll be volunteering alongside the Operations Manager gathering and collating feedback from data and in person.  Volunteer hours are flexible but likely to be one half day a fortnight.
Role description: Evaluations Support Volunteer_SRS

Volunteer Football Referee

We are looking for a volunteer football referee  to support our football sessions in Ipswich on Monday evenings 4.30pm – 6pm. This is a weekly role coaching young asylum seekers and refugees. Role description: Football Referee Volunteer_SRS

What you’ll get out of volunteering

  • Be part of a friendly and supportive team
  • Develop strong communication skills
  • Enhance your CV with impactful volunteering that creates positive change
  • Meet people from diverse backgrounds
  • Experience the rewards of helping others rebuild their lives in Suffolk

You can find out much more about the kinds of volunteering opportunities we often have, the ways in which people can benefit from volunteering with us, and the recruitment process here:

Volunteering with Suffolk Refugee Support

If we don’t currently have the right volunteering opportunity for you, there are lots of other ways in which you can get involved and show your support for refugees in Suffolk (see below). If you have ESOL teaching experience and would be interested in future volunteering opportunities, please do get in contact.

  • Donate to our work with supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Suffolk. We are a small, independent charity and anything you can give will make a real difference.
  • Join our mailing list so you can keep up-to-date with regular Suffolk Refugee Support news, events and appeals
  • Hold a fundraising event, with our support
  • Offer a work placement for our clients or help us get in touch with business contacts who might be able to help
  • Become a member of Suffolk Refugee Support

 You can also keep up-to-date with the latest volunteer vacancies by following our Facebook page.

Suffolk Refugee Support is committed to equal opportunities and to supporting diversity both in the provision of services and as an employer. You can read our full Equality & Diversity Statement here.

Due to the vulnerable nature of our client group, we ask all volunteers, staff and trustees to provide two references, undergo an Enhanced Child and Adult DBS check, complete Safeguarding and GDPR/Health and Safety training and an induction session before volunteering. We know this can delay the process of getting started but hope you understand and will bear with us – we really do appreciate the generosity of time, energy and skills offered by all those interested in helping refugees in Suffolk!