The Red Cross Pathways to Settlement programme is about connecting new refugee families to their new community. Red Cross volunteers are the friendly face and supportive guide these families need during their initial resettlement process.
After successfully 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 six months. This support can range from a few hours a week, to a weekend social visit depending on the needs of the family.
Volunteer training:
- You’ll receive comprehensive training on how to give practical and social support, as well as intercultural practice.
- Sometimes training courses are offered during the day.
- Refugee support volunteers work in teams and are supported by New Zealand Red Cross staff and other volunteers.
Your tasks will include:
- You’ll 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.
- Helping the family navigate the city or town using public transport.
- Learning about another culture and sharing your own.
- Being a friendly, welcoming presence.
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 enthusiasm.
- A genuine motivation to help and a willingness to learn about cultural differences/traditions/languages.
- They are committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff and members of the public with whom we work.
- You’ll need to be familiar with your local area, open to working cross culturally, be resourceful and good at taking initiative.
- You’ll need to be flexible.
- Police Check (Vulnerable Adults and Children)
- To apply for this role you will need to commit to volunteer for a period of either three or six months.
- Volunteers need to commit at least four hours a week, but your time can be spread across the week.
A Police background check is required for this role.
Time commitment
- The initial training takes approximately 15 hours and is delivered over several evenings and weekends.
- It's busiest during the first six weeks, 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.
The next training programme will take place at the end of July 2023. So get intouch now!
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