Below is a list of organisations that offer volunteering opportunities on a regular basis. We will be adding a section that shows specific volunteering opportunities, so watch this space!
Dost
http://www.thetrinitycentre.org/dost/index.html
Dost supports children, including those who have suffered trauma, abuse and neglect, and young separated refugees fleeing violent conflict.
Do-it.org
http://www.do-it.org.uk
You can search for volunteering opportunities by location or interest. There is a specific option to search for opportunities to work with Refugees.
Refugee Action
http://www.refugee-action.org.uk
Refugee charity that provides asylum advice, promotes community development, and works to improve refugee access to employment and influence Refugee policy. Works in 13 regions Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Bolton, Leicester, Nottingham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. Head offices are in London.
For volunteering opportunities:
http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/support/volunteering.aspx
Human Rights Watch
http://www.hrw.org
http://www.hrw/london for the UK branch.
Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. They have volunteering opportunities advertised on their website.
For volunteering opportunities:
http://hrw.org/jobs/volunteers.htm
For internship opportunities:
http://hrw.org/internships/
UNHCR
http://www.unhcr.org.uk
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an impartial humanitarian organisation mandated by the United Nations to lead and co-ordinate international action for the world-wide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems. Based in Switzerland, UNHCR has two basic and closely related aims: to protect refugees and to seek ways to help them restart their lives in a normal environment.
For internship opportunities:
http://www.unhcr.org.uk/about-us/Internships.html
The Refugee Council
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/contactus/offices.html
The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. They give direct help and support, and also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed. To apply for volunteering opportunities you have to fill in an online form and they will then get back to you.
Amnesty International (UK)
http://www.amnesty.org.uk
As a Human Rights Organisation Amnesty provides current information on the risks refugees face in their country of origin. At present they are running a specific campaign on Refugees and Asylum and are part of the Still Human, Still Here campaign. Volunteering opportunities are advertised on their main site.
For volunteering opportunities:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/volunteer.asp
Immigration Advisory Service
http://www.iasuk.org
They offer free individual advice and representation throughout the UK. They undertake all types of immigration and asylum work, including tribunal and judicial review.
For volunteering opportunities: http://www.iasuk.org/C2B/document_tree/ViewADocument.asp?ID=412&CatID=53#Volunteer
Asylum Aid
http://www.asylumaid.org.uk
Advises and assists refugees on their applications for asylum in the UK, conducts appeals against refusal of asylum, provides advice on related areas such as welfare rights and housing and provides general support to refugees to help them settle in the UK
For volunteering opportunities:
http://www.asylumaid.org.uk/pages/volunteer_now.html
Bail for Immigration Detainees
http://www.biduk.org
A charity that helps immigration detainees get access to bail.
For volunteering opportunities:
http://www.biduk.org/getinvolved/getinvolved.htm
National Coalition of anti-deportation Campaigns (NCADC)
http://www.ncadc.org.uk
Provide practical help and advice to people facing deportation on how to launch and run anti deportation campaigns. They always need help and support in campaigns. All information is on their site.
AVID - The Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees
http://www.aviddetention.org.uk
National umbrella charity for groups visiting immigration detainees
Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture
http://www.torturecare.org.uk
Provides care and rehabilitation for individuals and families who have suffered torture or other forms of organised violence
For volunteering opportunities:
http://www.torturecare.org.uk/volunteers
Migrant Helpline
http://www.migranthelpline.org.uk
Provides advice and support to newly arrived asylum-seekers to help them get support from the
National Asylum Support Service (NASS)
For volunteering opportunities:
http://www.migranthelpline.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=49
British Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org.uk
Helps vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, and enables victims of conflict and disaster to contact their families.
http://www.redcross.org.uk/refugee
