Organisation

New Zealand Red Cross

Summary

Help former refugees settle and feel at home here in Dunedin. As a Pathways to Settlement Programme support person you can assist families to start again!

Description

New Zealand Red Cross Refugee Support Volunteers work in teams to provide support for former refugees as they embark on their resettlement journey. Teams are decided upon volunteer availability and they also try to match people with complementary skills.

After completing the training programme, volunteers begin their placement with the newly arrived family or individual. They then work in teams to provide support for up to three months - about 4 hours per week for the first month of their arrival and 1-2 hours for the next two months.

As a Refugee Support Volunteer  you will be:

• Helping people navigate life in a new country.

• Setting up a home for a family or individual before they move in.

• Connecting people with schools, English classes, GPs, and other services.

• Assisting the family navigate the city or town using public transport.

• Learning about another culture and sharing your own.

• A friendly, welcoming presence.

Volunteer training:

• You’ll receive comprehensive training on how to give practical and social support - intercultural practice.

• Volunteers work in teams and are supported by New Zealand Red Cross staff and other volunteers.

Upcoming training series:

• Part one (Online): Wednesday 15 April, 7.00pm to 8.30pm
  Part two (Face to face): Saturday 18 April, 10.30am to 3.00pm

If you want a rewarding experience where you can gain new skills, foster a positive and inclusive local community and meet new people, join the Red Cross Pathways to Settlement program as a Refugee Support Volunteer.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please express interest below.

Requirements

• Warm, friendly manner and enthusiastic.

• A genuine motivation to help and a willingness to learn about cultural differences/traditions/languages.

• Committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff and members of the public.

• You’ll need to be familiar with your local area, open to working cross-culturally.

• You’ll need to be flexible, resourceful and good at taking initiative.

• Two referee checks from people outside of your family.

• Need to commit to volunteer for a period of 3 months.

• Need to commit to at least four hours a week for the first month, and 1-2 hrs following.

  You can choose to continue with the same family for another 3 months

Time commitment

• Training takes approximately 8 hours and is delivered over several evenings and/or weekends. Sometimes training courses are offered during the day.

• It's busiest during the first month (4 hours per week), but tasks are shared amongst your team.

• There are no set shift times for this role.

• The time you spend with a family will vary from week to week.

• You will share responsibilities with your team depending on your availability.

Location

The venue will be the First Aid Training Room 2 [Upstairs] at the Red Cross Service Centre, 31 York Place, Dunedin.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please email Violetta – violetta.hardy@redcross.org.nz or call/text on 027 212 0386.

Background Check

Police check required as role is working with vulnerable adults and children

How to apply

Please email Violetta – violetta.hardy@redcross.org.nz or call/text on 027 212 0386.

Please copy (CC) volunteer@otago.ac.nz into your application email. Also, we have a great email template and helpful tips on making an effective application here: https://www.unicrewotago.org/aboutpriceless