Applications to become an ASSIST volunteer are now closed.
If you have applied, your application is now being reviewed by our team. Please make sure you check your emails, we will be in touch with next steps.
If you want to hear about future opportunities please contact Leah, our Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator, by phone on 07422655683, or email at volunteer@assistsheffield.org.uk.
Our volunteers play a huge part in the work we do, bringing a wealth of experience and ensuring our vital services keep running. Volunteering with ASSIST is an opportunity to support and work with those seeking asylum on their journey towards experiencing greater stability, and to challenge destitution and the Hostile Environment by linking together material support and resistance!
Volunteer Roles
Volunteers can join ASSIST in a variety of roles.
Some volunteers join one of the frontline teams and work directly with the people we support. This might include: providing casework, interpreting, doing house visits, offering information and signposting. Some roles work with our larger networks and communities, working on events and fundraising. Others work behind the scenes and support the organisation in areas like Finance, Administration, Grant writing, IT, and Communications.
Here are the roles we are currently recruiting for. To view the role descriptions and skills needed, please click on the role:
If you would like a chat about making these roles more accessible to you, please use the contact details at the bottom of this page.
We especially welcome volunteers with lived experience of seeking sanctuary or migration, or who are racialised. If you do not meet all of the criteria in the role specification, we encourage you to apply, and we can support and train you during the role.
What is it like to volunteer with ASSIST?
Here are some of the things you might find valuable about volunteering with us:
🔹Being part of a community of people challenging the conditions of those seeking sanctuary in the UK, and the systemic injustices of the migration system
🔹Learning about the asylum and migration system in the UK
🔹Being supported to learn or discover new skills
🔹An opportunity to shape our work and services through your valuable feedback
🔹We work to build joyful spaces as part of our collective empowerment and resilience
And many more.. No one experience is the same!
What support can you expect?
🔹Induction training and shadowing to get you settled in, as well as regular training opportunities tailored to your role
🔹Volunteer social events and other ASSIST events
🔹We cover travel expenses, and other essential costs involved in the volunteer role
🔹Regular check-ins
🔹Opportunity to develop skills and experience towards employment if desired
🔹Opportunity to change roles if desired
🔹A mutually supportive environment with other volunteers and staff
How can I apply to volunteer?
Thank you for your interest! To make an application, please click on the button below.
Deadline to apply is Wednesday 9th October at 9AM
You will need to fill in an application form providing us with details of the role(s) you are interested in, a short description of your skills and experience, and the reasons why you would like to volunteer with us. You must be 18 or over to apply.
We ask all applicants to provide us with the contact details of two referees: these can be people you know from work or volunteering, social or academic networks, community roles, or other responsibilities.
Your application will be assessed by our team and you will be invited to an interview. Successful applicants will receive an induction and any role-specific training.
Certain roles due to their nature might additionally require a DBS check (i.e. a basic criminal record). The role description will indicate when this is the case, and the DBS check will be paid for by us.
How to find out more
If you have questions or would like a chat about what volunteering for us is like, please contact Leah, our Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator, by phone on 07422655683, or email at volunteer@assistsheffield.org.uk
Are you interested in hosting a person seeking sanctuary?
We are no longer taking on new hosting volunteers. However, we work in close partnership with Refugees at Home and Hope at Home, two national networks that provide hosting placements for people seeking sanctuary. Both are currently looking for hosts in South Yorkshire so please get in touch with them
I have absolutely loved my time at ASSIST! It has been so helpful to me personally because it has shown me that I may want to specialise in immigration and asylum law in the future. All the volunteers are absolutely lovely as well :) - ASSIST volunteer
I was impressed by the team structure at ASSIST and the fact that they have defined task profiles for volunteers. It meant I could fit in quickly and start doing stuff that really helps." - ASSIST volunteer
I've learnt how an office works and I've gained more confidence - I've been able to interact with people of different backgrounds. It's been good work experience and will help me towards getting a job." -- ASSIST volunteer
I don't have any qualifications here or in my home country, but now I see myself as important. People call me, ask me things - I'm important in this society." - ASSIST volunteer