Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. We are looking for Language and Community Integration Champions to join our team, empowering children, young people and families to become independent and integrate into UK society. As a Language and Community Integration Champion, you will support service users to access community support by providing an informal interpretation service during groups activities and events. Many of our service users do not speak English as their first language and they rely on quality interpretation to help them to access the services they need. We are seeking a motivated individual to support our Home Learning Environment Project Worker delivering age appropriate activities and play sessions for families living in temporary accommodation in the Ladywood area. The role will help parents enhance their child’s learning and communication during a period of transition. we are looking for volunteers who are fluent in Arabic and Pushto and willing to provide some interpreting support during the sessions We are looking for volunteers with excellent interpretation skills and a passion for making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families. If you have a friendly and approachable attitude, and an ability to engage families in taking steps towards improving their situation, please consider joining our team. For further information please contact: Sophina Saleem: 07738120031
[email protected] Salma Choudhury: 07734233524
[email protected]
Could you support children, young people and families to integrate into their local community, through helping them to attend local groups, translating if there are language barriers, and helping them build their own networks?
Tasks: Supporting children, young people and families to integrate into their local community through attending Barnardo’s groups sessions and events alongside them. You will provide encouragement to engage with other members of the group and provide informal interpretation support where required. Sessions can be either in person or by phone call/video conference. Please note, volunteers will not be required to interpret in any formal settings.
Supporting children, young people and families for a time-limited period to encourage independence and community integration.
Translating direct communication on behalf of children, young people and families where language is a barrier to understanding and accessing Barnardo’s services. The volunteer does not enter into the discussion, give advice or express personal opinions.
Supporting children, young people and families to complete forms, in order for them to access community services that meet their needs and build their social networks.
Encouraging families to improve their English language skills.
Provide tools and signposting to help them develop their English language skills.
Recording all contacts in line with Barnardo’s policies.
Maintaining a professional relationship with the service user and reporting any wider family needs to your supervisor so they can be addressed elsewhere.
Following good Standards of Interpretation Practice and Ethical Principles at all times.
Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
Participating fully in training and supervision.
Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours
Skills: A professional qualification/accreditation in interpretation or previous experience in providing interpretation in a formal setting.
A passion to work within the community, promoting independence and integration to make a positive difference.
A good understanding of the issues experienced by refugees, asylum seekers and people of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Able to communicate fluently both verbally and in writing in the language required (as well as in English).
Able to use emotional support skills in a calm and professional manner.
Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
An understanding of confidentiality.
IT literate and competent working with complex and detailed personal information.
Benefits: Full induction and training.
Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
Regular supervision and support.
Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.
Disclaimer: We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the role exactly, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on
[email protected] or call us on 0208 498 7320
