Volunteer Led Advice and Advocacy Service
Through discussion with the Starling Collective Steering Group, and unceasing requests for support from wider refugee/asylum community the need was identified for an ongoing holistic, person-centred advice and support service. To build capacity for this within the organisation, we recruited a team of support and interpretation volunteers for two reasons:
•To develop experience and train volunteers from the refugee/asylum
community, in support, advice, and advocacy skills
•Provide a person-centred, holistic AS service to the community.
Over the past year we recruited/ trained/mentored 15 volunteers from the refugee community to support various areas of our work throughout the charity. The volunteers received 8-weeks training, offering skills development, work experience, and language practice. This approach encouraged a sense of ownership and belonging for volunteers. It has empowered them to support, represent and advocate for their own community, access opportunities, and increase employability – while also creating space to learn from each other’s skills, experiences, and cultures.
This, in turn, has strengthened relationships and connections with and
beyond the refugee/asylum community, increasing the community’s access
to services which ultimately helps to improve community cohesion and
integration with the wider community. The service benefited more than
420 people through our support, advice, and advocacy programme.