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News and Current Initiatives
 ASU helps win new contract with Home Office
Charter Mark
International Women’s Day
Stakeholders Consultation
Latest Newsletter
Annual Report
 Volunteering Opportunities
The Asylum Seekers and Refugee Project
Could YOU help as a volunteer welcoming asylum seekers and refugees at one of our drop ins?
The Asylum Seekers and Refugees Project is an initiative of Hexham and Newcastle Catholic Diocese. It works to offer friendship and support to asylum seekers and refugees living in the diocese, which stretches from Berwick to Stockton on Tees. The project has opened several weekly drop-in sessions staffed by volunteers in church premises and community centres. The volunteers help by making teas and coffees, chatting, joining in games (e.g. board games, pool, table tennis) and generally making people feel welcome.
Would you like to join our volunteers at one of our drop-ins? Then just call at your nearest drop-in or contact: Michael McHugh, Asylum Seekers and Refugees Project, Our Lady and St Vincent’s Catholic Church, Monkchester Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 2TX (Tel: 0191 275 9815. Email: hnasylum@aol.com).
Common Ground
Common Ground is the premises used the East Area Asylum Seekers Support Group (EAASSG). EAASSG is a registered charity which is funded by various Community Funders and private donors, in order to offer support to the asylum seekers and refugees in the East of Newcastle.
The reason our premises is called Common Ground is because our ethos is, that it is open to anyone, and everyone is equal within it. We are open Monday to Friday from 10am till 2pm and can offer a wide range of support including free clothing and household goods as well as help to make phone calls and assist with form filling. We don't have an appointment system as many people who come in initially want to build up some trust before asking for help. For this reason, anyone is welcome to just pop in and have a free coffee or tea and just chat and get to know us as well as the other users.
If anyone seeking asylum in the East becomes destitute, we run a Hardship Fund which can bring a little relief by offering them a weekly payment of ten pounds and a bag of food and toiletries, donations permitting.
Volunteering at Common Ground
Common Ground wouldn't be able to function without volunteers who do a wide range of tasks helping to keep the premises clean and tidy, sorting through donations of clothes and restocking the shop area, picking up and delivering large pieces of donated furniture, to more one to one work such as befriending, assisting with phone calls and form filling and most importantly of all, making people feel welcome when they come in. Anyone interested in finding out more can pop into Common Ground anytime. We are situated in Church Walk Shopping Centre, Walker, or give us a call on 0191 2622522.
West End Refugee Service (WERS)
Why not become a WERS volunteer?
 West End Refugee Service offers a variety of volunteering opportunities and training. 23 volunteers currently work in the befriending scheme, visiting families and single people. Others train as support workers, offering one morning a week at the project. In addition there are opportunities for administrative support, teaching English and helping out at local weekly drop-ins. Training is delivered by WERS and there is also the opportunity to take a variety of accredited courses delivered through local colleges and organisations. WERS volunteers find the work interesting, stimulating and immensely rewarding and new volunteers are always welcome. Contact Carol Willis the WERS volunteer co-ordinator for more information on 0191 273 7482
North of England Refugee Service (NERS)
What is volunteering with NERS?
 Volunteering with NERS is an exciting prospect for people from all sections of the community to give their time to helping to make a difference in the lives of asylum seekers and refugees.
Through our well-supported volunteer network we offer opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, mutual support and sharing of ideas and experience.
Our Volunteer programme brings together people from many communities, creating a rich diversity of cultural background within NERS. This gives a valuable resource for advice and support. NERS could not function without the many volunteers who perform important roles in our organisation.
What can I get from volunteering with NERS?
- Gain vital work experience
- An opportunity to do something really different and help to improve peoples’ lives
- An opportunity to gain a more rounded CV and workplace skills to assist training applications and job applications
- An opportunity to gain new friends and to gain a valuable insight into other peoples’ cultures
Where would I be volunteering?
You can be placed in any of the four offices in the NE Region, depending on where your help, skills and enthusiasm are needed most and what your preferences are. NERS Offices are at Jesmond, Bigg Market-Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Who would I be helping?
You could be working alongside professional staff to help:
- Clients, including refugees and asylum seekers
What would I do as a volunteer?
- Welcome and screen clients at the reception desk
- General Administration work - filing, letter writing etc
- Support work upon training
- General interpretation work within the office
- Befriending clients (Middlesbrough only at the moment)
- Any other work as directed and agreed with the Volunteer Coordinator from time to time
Who pays for volunteer expenses?
NERS meets volunteer travel expenses at the cost of public transport and part of the lunch expenses, provided you work a minimum 5hrs per session per day.
What qualification do I need?
None! At NERS we strongly believe that everybody has something to offer. Irrespective of your skills and experience, once you have made the commitment, we will provide the relevant training offering you an exciting volunteering opportunity with NERS.
Will I be given training?
When you start volunteering at any of our offices, you will be given practical help, training, and advice from the local Volunteer Coordinator, as well as a support worker who becomes your mentor. Training involves shadowing experienced workers, going through three training modules and external courses as seen relevant by the NERS Training Action Group, taking into account the resources available.
Contact NERS: 19 Bigg Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1UN
Tel: 0191 245 7301; Fax: 0191 222 0239
Current Initiatives
Raising Awareness
Drop in Sessions attended by the Asylum Seekers Unit
Drop in Sessions organised by other groups
Business Plan
Operational Group
Previous Articles
We are actively involved in work connected to:
Refugee Week
If you would like to comment or make a suggestion about our service please click on Feedback at the top of this page. If you would like to make a complaint about our service click here.
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