Join Us

Asylum Aid runs a drop-in information hub every Monday, as well as an advice phoneline on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, where Westminster residents can get support and advice in a range of areas, such as employment, housing and immigration. We are looking for volunteers who speak one of our community languages (Arabic, Kurdish, Bengali, Tigrinya, Farsi) to support us at this information hub, as interpreters and/or administrative volunteers. There we will also be the opportunity to receive training to become an Adviser or Assessor (this requires longer than the usual 6-month minimum commitment). We particularly encourage Westminster residents to apply.

Volunteers will be trained on the job and will have to opportunity to attend thematic training, as well as receiving on-going support and supervision.

Main tasks and activities:

• Interpreting:
  • Interpreting for advisers and clients as required, depending on language skills
• Administration:
  • Responding to client queries
  • Answering the telephone
  • Assisting and registering clients who come into reception.
  • Taking messages for advisers.
  •  Printing outlook timetable and Advice pro appointments for the day.
  • Inputting data in excel and Advice pro.
  • Helping advisers with general administrative tasks such as typing letters, photocopying bundles, and telephoning clients, keeping client files or local information up to date, amending stocks of leaflets, etc.
• Gateway Assessor Role/General Advice Role
  • Conducting initial client assessments.
  • Conducting client interviews (by telephone and in person) to understand client problems and identify key information such as time limits.
  • Signposting/Referral; Referring and signposting clients appropriately (both internally and externally) following agreed protocols, including making appointments and informing clients of what they can expect.
  • Input data in excel and Advice pro.
  • Assisting clients with general form filling, making phone call to agencies to resolve simple problems with benefit, housing, employers, council, etc.
• Case Recording:
  • All clients’ cases are recorded for quality assurance purposes, and to ensure that the client can be offered an efficient service if the client requires further advice or the case becomes more complex. Your supervisor will discuss case recording with you.

Please see the attached role description for further information. 

To apply for this opportunity, please send your cover letter to volunteering@helenbamber.org along with your CV, if you have one. Please include the following information in your cover letter: which community language/s you speak, which borough you live in, and which of the above roles (interpreter, administrator, adviser/assessor) you are interested in.