If you are interested in what we are doing and think you may like to become one of our volunteers, please read on to get an idea of what the roles are and whether you feel you want to get involved.
Our two main areas of volunteering are as a befriender to the families and as an English teacher (ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages) although there are lots of other ways you can get involved, with fundraising and organising events, interpreting and practical help with other charity activities.
Find out more about community sponsorship
ESOL
The ESOL teachers work as part of a team delivering English lessons to members of the refugee families, either at home or another agreed venue. The lessons are usually for individual family members but could be for a couple or small group. The team works collaboratively to ensure that the programme is suitable for the individual students and will adjust lessons accordingly.
The teachers keep in touch with the lead ESOL volunteer to ensure that everyone is up to date with the students’ progress and learning needs. We usually ask that you have an ESOL qualification or similar, however, if you have other teaching experience or qualifications that you feel would be appropriate, we would love to have a chat with you. Follow this link to apply.
Befrienders
The befrienders support the family to become independent and confident in their new environment and community. When the family arrives, everything is different for them. Whilst forming trusting and dependable relationships, the team aim to familiarise them with their new community and culture in order that they eventually form their own networks and support. The activities that the befrienders may carry out with the families are hugely varied and could include: introducing them to the local area (shops, public transport, children’s activities etc), accompanying them to appointments, carrying out activities with the children if the parents have appointments, or having coffee at a local cafe. It really is a broad role and is led by the wishes and needs of the family. Follow this link if you’d like to find out more about becoming a befriender volunteer.
Other Volunteering Roles
Whilst these are the two large groups of volunteers, we are often looking for input in vital areas such as Health & Wellbing, Fundraising, Interpreting/translating and Communications.
We also have a growing pool of Arabic speakers who are hugely important in helping us with interpreting. If you have a particular skill or interest that you feel you could share with the charity or the families, please do get in touch and let us know. We are still learning and are very open to ideas on how we can evolve in order to improve what we do.
Supporting volunteers
We’re a supportive group of people who keep closely in touch and help each other out wherever we can. We try to work in a way that no one feels alone with what they are doing. Everyone has different skills and experiences to offer to the charity and no one is expected to be able to carry out all tasks. We have support and communication mechanisms in place to ensure that we maintain strong links with each other.
Please contact us at volunteers.fpwrf@gmail.com for more detailed role descriptions and application forms.
More information:
Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families 