New Zealand Red Cross Refugee Support Volunteers work in teams to provide support for former refugees as they embark on their resettlement journey. Teams are decided upon volunteer availability and they also try to match people with complementary skills.
After completing the training programme, volunteers begin their placement with the newly arrived family or individual. They then work in teams to provide support for up to three months - about 4 hours per week for the first month of their arrival and 1-2 hours for the next two months.
As a Refugee Support Person you will be:
- Helping people navigate life in a new country
- Setting up a home for a family or individual before they move in
- Connecting people with schools, English classes, GPs, and other services
- Assisting the family navigate the city or town using public transport
- Learning about another culture and sharing your own
- Being a friendly, welcoming presence
Volunteer training:
- You’ll receive comprehensive training on how to give practical and social support - intercultural practice
- The next training is planned for 31st August, Saturday, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm at 31 York Place, Dunedin.
- Volunteers work in teams and are supported by New Zealand Red Cross staff and other volunteers
If you want a rewarding experience where you can gain new skills, foster a positive and inclusive local community and meet new people, join the Red Cross Pathways to Settlement program as a Refugee Support Volunteer.
Requirements
- Warm, friendly manner and enthusiastic
- A genuine motivation to help and a willingness to learn about cultural differences/traditions/languages
- Committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff and members of the public
- You’ll need to be familiar with your local area, open to working cross-culturally
- You’ll need to be flexible, resourceful and good at taking initiative
- Two referee checks from people outside of your family
- To apply for this role you will need to commit to volunteer for a period of 3 months
- Need to commit to at least four hours a week for the first month, and 1-2 hrs following
You can choose to continue with the same family for another 3 months
A Police background check is required for this role.
Time commitment
- Initial training takes Approx. 5 hours and is delivered in person on a Saturday
- It's busiest during the first month (4 hours per week), but tasks are shared amongst your team
- There are no set shift times for this role
- The time you spend with a family will vary from week to week
- You will share responsibilities with your team depending on your availability
Getting started
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Apply for this role:
Dunedin