About the Refugee Council

Founded in 1951, the Refugee Council exists to support people who come to the UK in need of safety and our purpose is to advocate with them for compassion, fairness and kindness. We achieve this by providing expert advice and casework, building the capacity of refugee community organisations, and working with allies across society to change government policy.

The Refugee Council is one of the leading organisations in the UK working with refugees and people seeking asylum.

Learn more about the Refugee Council here

About the Resettlement Team

The UK Government has committed itself to supporting Resettlement Schemes, whereby people fleeing persecution are selected and processed in the region of origin and brought to the UK with their refugee status already determined. Under these schemes a specific quota of refugees (single or within a family unit) come to the UK for resettlement.

In Wakefield, the Resettlement Team works with people from Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan and other countries to help them adjust to life in the UK, access services and establish community links. Working closely with the Local Authority and in partnership with other voluntary sector agencies running similar services in Wakefield, the Refugee Council’s Resettlement team promotes both the integration and independence of resettled refugees

About this role

A fundamental aim of our resettlement programme is to support clients to feel empowered and confident to access local services and resources independently, by building connections between refugee families and their local community.

The Community Development Worker builds links with local agencies to better their understanding of working with refugees and encourages our clients to use their services when needed.

The Community Development Worker also arranges events around important dates in the calendar such as Eid and Refugee Week to give clients an accessible and enjoyable celebration event where they can meet new people and build new connections

What could I be doing?

• Supporting the Community Development Worker to arrange and host events
• Attending information briefings at our drop-in and supporting client engagement
• Engaging clients in conversation whilst they wait for appointments at our drop-in
• Creating a supportive and friendly environment for clients to feel welcomed and at ease
• Working with and reporting back to the Resettlement Team
• Assisting the Community Development Worker with creating, completing, and computerising attendance sheets
• Helping the Community Development Worker with basic data entry tasks

Useful skills and experience

• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• Proactive and takes initiative; organised
• Encouraging and empowering
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Willingness to empathise and learn about refugee issues
• Sensitivity to working in a multi-cultural organisation and the ability to work with colleagues from other cultures
• A commitment to the Refugee Council’s vision, purpose and values
• Experience working with individuals who have a low level of proficiency in the English language is desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of Arabic, Pashto, or Dari would be desirable, but not necessary
• Knowledge of computer and IT related skills

Time commitment

Minimum of six months, Thursday afternoons (between 1 and 4pm) and some ad hoc events.

People with lived experience of displacement are encouraged to apply.

This role is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. Repeat checks are initiated every two years.

Learn more about this role by downloading our task description here [DOC].

You can apply for this role using this application form [DOCX].

Interested? Contact Olivia Snook at olivia.snook@refugeecouncil.org.uk for more information.