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► Action Foundation

What: The Action foundation aims to tackle exclusion by providing opportunity. The main activities of the charity are to support asylum seekers and other migrants through the provision of free accommodation to those who are destitute in Newcastle (Action Housing) and free English language teaching to those who cannot reasonably access this anywhere else in Tyneside (Action Language).

Volunteer Role: We require a Project Worker to work with the Action Housing team in supporting residents and managing properties. This will involve practical tasks and advocacy to ensure residents have access to appropriate support and properties are maintained to a good standard. Time commitment - minimum 3 hours a week Mon-Fri during office hours. A commitment to empowering and enabling others, a passion for effective team work, excellent interpersonal communication skills, professional approach and experience of phone work are all essential. Full induction training, relevant resources and ongoing support provided.

We require volunteers to be/have:
- A genuine desire to support asylum seekers and other migrants – (essential)
- An understanding of the need for resident confidentiality – (essential)
- An understanding of the need to maintain safe working boundaries when working with residents – (essential)
- A commitment to empowering and enabling others – (essential)
- A passion for effective team work – (essential)
- Warmth, understanding, sensitivity and a willingness to listen – (essential)
- Supportive and non-judgemental regardless of residents’ age, race, sexuality, religion or disability – (essential)
- A flexible approach to working with residents whose needs may vary or change over time – (essential)
- To be willing to learn from own and others’ experiences – (essential)
- To maintain strong lines of communication with the Project Manager – (essential)
- Excellent interpersonal/communication skills (basic written, non-verbal and verbal) – (essential)
- Professional approach (essential)
- Experience of phone work (essential)
- Some basic awareness of the issues facing asylum seekers and other migrants – (desirable)
- Experience of working with vulnerable people in a similar capacity, either paid or unpaid – (desirable)
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (desirable)

Skills/benefits/experience: Project Workers will be trained and supervised by a Newcastle graduate with 5 years experience in the role. They will learn effective advocacy, professionalism and best practise, gain experience of working with service-users who have chaotic lifestyles/varying needs and get an insight into the UK asylum system. Additional training courses will be made available as appropriate and reasonable travel expenses will be paid.