Volunteer Hub
Coffee & Connection Volunteer Facilitator
Organisation Details
Conversation Over Borders
Sub theme: Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Conversation Over Borders is a UK-based organisation that brings refugees, people seeking asylum and local communities together through conversation, learning and community action.
We offer 1-1 English mentoring and befriending for people seeking safety.
We run affordable refugee-led language courses.
We lend an extra helping hand where it's needed, with wellbeing programmes for women, LGBTQ+ people and young people in the asylum system.
We provide the basic things that you wouldn't notice you need until they're gone: connection to the internet, access to healthcare, sanitary products and a listening ear.
Alongside direct support, we work with refugee organisers and activists to challenge anti-refugee hostility, bring lived experience into the media and schools, and campaign for a fairer future.
We offer 1-1 English mentoring and befriending for people seeking safety.
We run affordable refugee-led language courses.
We lend an extra helping hand where it's needed, with wellbeing programmes for women, LGBTQ+ people and young people in the asylum system.
We provide the basic things that you wouldn't notice you need until they're gone: connection to the internet, access to healthcare, sanitary products and a listening ear.
Alongside direct support, we work with refugee organisers and activists to challenge anti-refugee hostility, bring lived experience into the media and schools, and campaign for a fairer future.
Description of role: Coffee & Connection is a friendly group for women and non-binary refugees and people seeking asylum in Manchester. It is a space to meet new people, make friends, get support and spend time together. Sessions might include creative activities, discussions, wellbeing activities, guest speakers or simply time to chat over a coffee.
What you’ll do:
- Welcome people as they arrive and help everyone feel comfortable
- Chat with participants and help people connect with each other
- Help set up and tidy the space before and after sessions
- Support with activities, discussions and creative sessions
- Help create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome
- Support the COB team with practical tasks during the session
- Let a member of staff know if someone needs additional support or has a concern
You don't need to have previous experience working with refugees or people seeking asylum. The most important things are that you are friendly, approachable, respectful and willing to get involved.
We're looking for volunteers who:
- Are women or non-binary
- Can commit to attending the second and/or last Wednesday of each month between 11am–1pm
- Are reliable and communicate well with the team
- Enjoy meeting and talking to people from different backgrounds
- Are respectful of people's different experiences, identities and backgrounds
- Share COB's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive community
What you'll gain:
- Meet and build friendships with people from different backgrounds
- Develop your communication and community-building skills
- Gain experience supporting and facilitating a community group
- Learn more about the experiences of refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK
- Be part of a friendly team and make a meaningful difference to people's lives
We provide training and DBS' for all of our volunteers.
What you’ll do:
- Welcome people as they arrive and help everyone feel comfortable
- Chat with participants and help people connect with each other
- Help set up and tidy the space before and after sessions
- Support with activities, discussions and creative sessions
- Help create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome
- Support the COB team with practical tasks during the session
- Let a member of staff know if someone needs additional support or has a concern
You don't need to have previous experience working with refugees or people seeking asylum. The most important things are that you are friendly, approachable, respectful and willing to get involved.
We're looking for volunteers who:
- Are women or non-binary
- Can commit to attending the second and/or last Wednesday of each month between 11am–1pm
- Are reliable and communicate well with the team
- Enjoy meeting and talking to people from different backgrounds
- Are respectful of people's different experiences, identities and backgrounds
- Share COB's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive community
What you'll gain:
- Meet and build friendships with people from different backgrounds
- Develop your communication and community-building skills
- Gain experience supporting and facilitating a community group
- Learn more about the experiences of refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK
- Be part of a friendly team and make a meaningful difference to people's lives
We provide training and DBS' for all of our volunteers.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Oral Communication Skills, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: No
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Wednesday Morning, Wednesday Afternoon
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 3
Location:
Central Hall, Oldham Street
Manchester
M1 1WT