Welcome Cafe Volunteer
Refugees Welcome North Somerset
| Name: | Welcome Cafe Volunteer |
| Organisation: | Refugees Welcome North Somerset |
| Location: | The Other Place, 81-83 Meadow Street, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1QL |
| Type: |
Part Time
We’re looking for volunteers who can commit to at least 2 Thursdays a month, from 10:30 – 1:30 pm.
|
Description
If you love meeting people and want to help welcome refugees to the local area in a safe and supportive space, this could be the role for you.
We’re looking for friendly, sensitive and proactive people to volunteer in our Welcome Cafe. The cafe currently happens every Thursday at 81-83 Meadow Street, Weston Super Mare.
Volunteers are needed from 10:30am - 1:30pm every Thursday. You’ll need to commit to at least 2 sessions per month. You’ll also need to complete training and have an up-to-date DBS check (which RWNS will organise).
Your role might include:
● Setting up rooms for guests by moving tables and chairs and making the space welcoming, then putting it back at the end of the session
● Greeting people at the door and make sure other volunteers and guests are marked on the register
● Looking after the kitchen, dishing out drinks and snacks, offering people drinks, and making sure the kitchen area is kept clean and tidy
● Chatting with guests, sharing food and helping the cafe to be a welcoming space
● Practicing English with guests, using worksheets, magazines or conversation prompts
● Answering questions from guests about issues they’ve had in the week, such as filling in forms, making appointments or other phone calls
● Completing health and safety checks and being responsible for fire safety, making sure all the guests have left the building in the case of a fire alarm and names are checked on the register.
● Debriefing with the team after the session
● Regular check-ins with volunteer coordinator and peer support with other volunteers
Request Organisation Contact Details
Organisation Description
We are regular people in North Somerset who welcome regular people displaced from their homes around the world. We do this through our befriending service, our welcome cafe and other projects.
Since 2016, we have been befriending families who arrive in our area through one of the government’s resettlement schemes.
By mid 2021, there were 12 families from Syria living in North Somerset. Since autumn 2021, we have welcomed five families from Afghanistan and have met unaccompanied young people. We are now preparing to welcome people who have fled from Ukraine.
When
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Cause / Interests
- Race and Ethnicity and Refugees
Types of Activity
- Advice, Information and Support
- Befriending and Buddying
- Community Work
- General and Helping
- Languages
Skills and Qualifications
Requirements
Friendly and proactive individuals.
Good listening skills, sensitivity, patience and a sense of humour.
Experience of teaching ESOL or English would be useful but not at all essential.
Benefits
This is an opportunity to make friends with local refugee families and individuals and other volunteers.
You will get to see our local area from a different perspective.
You may also have the opportunity to appreciate different language, food and coffee.
Additional/Specific Suitabilities
| Minimum Age: | 18 | |
| Maximum Age: | NA | |
| Disabled Access: | Yes | |
| Wheelchair Access: | Yes | |
| Expenses: | By arrangement | |
| Restrictions: | N/A | |
| Induction: | You can visit a taster session. | |
| Insurance Cover: | N/A | |
| Special Needs: | Can be discussed. | |
| Offer: | Ongoing support with RWNS | |
| Training: | Cultural Awareness; Trauma awareness | |
| Other: | NA |
Recruitment Method
Application form, Informal discussion, References, DBS Check, Taster session