Volunteer Centre Newcastle

"A volunteer is a person who gives their time and skills free of charge".

Volunteers help to build stronger, more active communities in which people have a better quality of life and the ability to shape their own future. Volunteer Centre Newcastle welcomes everyone and will give you support, advice and try to match your skills and interests with suitable organisations.

We can help you investigate volunteering opportunities throughout Newcastle, but we do not decide whether you start volunteering or not, that is a decision between you and the organisation you want to volunteer for.

You can look for volunteer roles in Newcastle by visiting www.do-it.org.uk and entering your local postcode. If you would prefer to talk to someone in person about your volunteering options please call 0191 232 6616 and ask for the Volunteer Centre. Please note that we cannot give you advice on how volunteering might affect your asylum or citizenship applications.

For more information visit our website at http://www.volunteercentrenewcastle.org.uk/.

The Asylum Seekers and Refugee Project

The Asylum Seekers and Refugees Project is an initiative of Hexham and Newcastle Catholic Diocese.  It works to offer friendship and support to asylum seekers and refugees living in the diocese, which stretches from Berwick to Stockton on Tees.  The project has opened several weekly drop-in sessions staffed by volunteers in church premises and community centres.  The volunteers help by making teas and coffees, chatting, joining in games (e.g. board games, pool, table tennis) and generally making people feel welcome.

Would you like to join our volunteers at one of our drop-ins? If so, please contact Michael McHugh, Asylum Seekers and Refugees Project, Our Lady and St Vincent’s Catholic Church, Monkchester Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 2TX (Phone: 0191 275 9815. Email: hnasylum@aol.com).

Common Ground

Common Ground is the premises used by the East Area Asylum Seekers Support Group (EAASSG).  EAASSG is a registered charity which is funded by various Community Funders and private donors, in order to offer support to the asylum seekers and refugees in the East of Newcastle.  The reason their premises are called Common Ground is because their ethos is that it is open to anyone and everyone is equal within it.  They are open Monday to Friday from 10am till 2pm and offer a wide range of support including free clothing and household goods as well as help to make phone calls and assist with form filling.  They don't have an appointment system as many people who come in initially want to build up some trust before asking for help.  For this reason, anyone is welcome to just pop in and have a free coffee or tea and just chat and get to know them as well as the other users.  If anyone seeking asylum in the East becomes destitute, we run a Hardship Fund which can bring a little relief by offering them a weekly payment of ten pounds and a bag of food and toiletries, donations permitting.

Common Ground wouldn't be able to function without volunteers who do a wide range of tasks helping to keep the premises clean and tidy, sorting through donations of clothes and restocking the shop area, picking up and delivering large pieces of donated furniture, to more one to one work such as befriending, assisting with phone calls and form filling and most importantly of all, making people feel welcome when they come in.   Anyone interested in finding out more can pop into Common Ground anytime at Church Walk Shopping Centre, Walker, or phone 0191 262 2522.

West End Refugee Service (WERS)

WERS offers a variety of volunteering opportunities.  Of the 60 registered volunteers, 25-30 currently work in the befriending scheme, visiting families and single people.  Others train as support workers, offering one morning a week at the project.  In addition there are opportunities for administrative support, teaching English and helping out at local weekly drop-ins.  Training is delivered by WERS staff members and workers from Medical Foundation North East and North of England Refugee Service. WERS volunteers find the work interesting, stimulating and immensely rewarding. New volunteers are always welcome.  If you would like to find out more, contact Carol Willis the WERS volunteer co-ordinator on 0191 273 7482 or email her at carolwillis9@btinternet.com.  Further information about volunteering and an application form can be found on the WERS website www.wers.org.uk

North of England Refugee Service (NERS) 

Volunteering with NERS is an exciting prospect for people from all sections of the community to give their time to helping to make a difference in the lives of asylum seekers and refugees.  Through our well-supported volunteer network we offer opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, mutual support and sharing of ideas and experience.

Our volunteer programme brings together people from many communities, creating a rich diversity of cultural background within NERS. This gives a valuable resource for advice and support. NERS could not function without the many volunteers who perform important roles in our organisation.

What can I get from volunteering with NERS?

• gain vital work experience
• an opportunity to do something really different and help to improve peoples’ lives
• an opportunity to gain a more rounded CV and workplace skills to assist training applications and job applications
• an opportunity to gain new friends and to gain a valuable insight into other peoples’ cultures

You can be placed in any of the four offices in the NE Region, depending on where your help, skills and enthusiasm are needed most and what your preferences are.  NERS Offices are at Jesmond, Bigg Market-Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.  You could be working alongside professional staff to help refugees and asylum seekers. There are also opportunities to volunteer with our youth and community activities across the region. 

As a volunteer you might be doing:

• welcome and screening clients at the reception desk
• general administration work - filing, letter writing etc
• support work upon training
• general interpretation work within the office
• befriending clients (Middlesbrough only at the moment)
• any other work as directed and agreed with the Volunteer Coordinator from time to time

NERS meets volunteer travel expenses at the cost of public transport and part of the lunch expenses, provided you work a minimum 5hrs per session per day.  You don't need any qualifications - NERS strongly believe that everybody has something to offer.  Irrespective of your skills and experience, once you have made the commitment, they will provide the relevant training offering you an exciting volunteering opportunity with NERS.

When you start volunteering you will be given practical help, training, and advice from the local Volunteer Coordinator, as well as a support worker who becomes your mentor.  Training involves shadowing experienced workers, going through three training modules and external courses as seen relevant by the NERS Training Action Group, taking into account the resources available. 

Contact NERS

Contact Paul Bagshaw, Volunteer Coordinator:

19 Bigg Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1UN
Phone: 0191 245 7301
Fax: 0191 222 0239
eaassg@tiscali.co.uk