One Volu Jeni Iffer 05-00Z3Y ML 21/01/2005

Volunteer Role Outline ______Application Form Role: Refugee Integration Volunteer (Holistic Integration Service) Time Commitment: At least 2 half days per week (Monday to Friday) Responsible to: Holistic Integration Service Adviser Location: Scottish Refugee Council, 5 Cadogan Square, Glasgow G2 7PH Duration: At least six months

Scottish Refugee Council is committed to assisting asylum seekers and refugees to settle into life in Scotland. Our Holistic Integration Service (HIS) is responsible for meeting with newly recognised refugees to provide direct advice on issues such as housing, benefits and finance, education and training and volunteering opportunities. We also refer to other specialist agencies, such as Job Centre Plus, as appropriate to the needs of service user. Each refugee who takes up this service will have a dedicated HIS adviser, and they will work together to develop an individualised Integration plan which will reviewed regularly to ensure refugees aspiration are captured and progressed.

As a volunteer with this team you will play a key role in allowing advisers to concentrate on complex cases by providing basic advice and checking refugees’ progress against their agreed goals, in person and over the telephone.

What will I be doing? Duties will be dictated by refugees’ needs and in line with their agreed goals. You will get full guidance on a range of issues refugees may need your assistance with and how to act to address them. Tasks will vary, but will include:

 Having an initial meeting with newly recognised refugees to assist their transition from Home Office Support to mainstream benefits and housing  Providing quick basic advice on issues such as welfare right benefits  Accompanying clients to help open bank accounts or other such tasks  Attending to refugees presenting with emergencies  Any administrative tasks associated with the role.

What skills or qualities do I need?  Effective communication and listening skills.  A strong ability to show empathy with the needs of asylum seekers and refugees.  Ability to record information accurately and on time.  Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.  Reliability, punctuality and trustworthiness.  An understanding of Equal Opportunities.  An understanding of the importance of confidentiality.

What do I get out of it?  The chance to work with and support refugees going through a life-changing transition, having been given the right to stay in Scotland.  The opportunity to be part of an exciting and rewarding service.  The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and work with a number of external partners.  Ongoing training and development.  Your expenses reimbursed.

To protect all our volunteers and service users this role is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.