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.

The resettlement team in Lewisham provides advice and support for these resettled refugees from arrival, to help them access services and mainstream provision, and establish community links. Working closely with local stakeholders and in partnership with other voluntary sector agencies running similar services across the UK, the Refugee Council resettlement team promotes both the integration and independence of this group. Refugee Council in Lewisham works in partnership with Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN) to support Lewisham Council’s commitment to resettle families in their borough.

About this role

Our sewing group takes place on a Thursday morning, 10am-12pm at Refugee Council’s office within The Albany theatre in Deptford. This group is open to all those we support in Lewisham and is made up of a mix of clients from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Arabic-speaking countries.

The group plays a vital role in enabling newly arrived refugees to meet new people, improve their confidence and develop their skills. We are looking for a volunteer who will play a key role in organising, coordinating and developing the weekly sewing group.

This will involve supporting attendees with differing levels of sewing proficiency to make different items on a sewing machine. It could also involve creating sewing ‘projects’ for attendees to complete as a group.

The volunteer will be supported by the Community Development Worker and other members of the Resettlement Team.

What could I be doing?

• Assist in the smooth running of the weekly sewing group- helping to plan and facilitate each session with participants.
• To teach participants who are new to sewing how to use a machine.
• To create sewing projects where participants can work together to make something as a group.
• To support the Community Development Worker in setting up/packing away the space each week.
• To engage with participants in a friendly and supportive manner to make them feel welcome and comfortable, and to help facilitate an atmosphere of mutual respect amongst members.
• To help facilitate refugee leadership of the group, by encouraging participants to take the lead on planning the sessions and sharing their skills.

Useful skills and experience

• Ability to use a sewing machine, knowledge of how to sew
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Treat people with respect regardless of their background and demonstrate a non-judgmental attitude
• Willingness to empathise and learn about refugee issues
• Reliable, trustworthy and proactive
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience in coordinating a community group, creative project, or team of people
• Confident and creative to communicate with people who don’t speak or speak very little English
• Willingness to attend training (e.g. understanding trauma training, working with interpreters)
• Knowledge of Arabic, Pashto, Dari or Ukrainian would be desirable, but not essential

Time commitment

Two hours a week during a minimum period of three months

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.

Volunteers will have to attend an induction session before starting their role

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 Mukhtaar Ahmed at mukhtaar.ahmed@refugeecouncil.org.uk for more information.