Refugee Support Europe

Organisation: Refugee Support Europe-

Time Commitment: Weekly Minimum: ½ day per week

Period Commitment: 1 month (extensions at the discretion of the Coordinator)

We help refugees rebuild their lives by providing essential aid with dignity. We like to think of what we do as building communities of support. Dignity defines everything we do. It’s about respecting people as individuals, giving them choices and offering a bit of normality. It also makes volunteering much more rewarding and creative.

Refugee Support Europe started operating in one of the Greek Government’s official Refugee Camps in Alexandreia in April 2016. We worked there and on seven other refugee camps in Greece for over 3 years. We have also supported a large unofficial camps of Rohingya in Bangladesh and Central Americans in Mexico. We created and run a Dignity Centre in Nicosia city centre in Cyprus since 2019 and opened another in Chisinau Moldova in 2022 .

Since November 2023 we are also operating in Bournemouth, where we have setup a Dignity Centre to support asulym seekers and refugees.

Volunteers will work in a team with the Centre Coordinator to support the running of our Dignity Centre, consisting of a social space and free“shop”. We are open 3 days a week, with an open-door policy and welcoming atmosphere, to those seeking support whilst living in temporary accommodation within the local community.

Responsibilities

• Providing a warm, welcoming and safe space for members.
• Registering new members.
• Providing orientation of how our ”Dignity shop” can be utilised by new and existing members.
• Working on the shop floor to ensure the shop looks presentable and full.
• Sorting of incoming donations and storage.
• Preparation of tea and coffees for the social space.
• Other ad hoc tasks as needed by the Coordinator.

Skills & Abilities

• Commitment and reliability
• Empathy.
• Intercultural Communication.
• Organisation skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Teamwork and flexibility.
• Able for some physical demand- to sort donations and manage stairs.

Refugee Support Europe is committed to providing equal opportunities to all volunteers, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We believe in creating an inclusive and diverse volunteer community that reflects the rich tapestry of our society.