Who are the volunteers? Where and why do they volunteer?

Listen to some volunteers talking about why they have volunteered. There is no single profile of a volunteer. Volunteers come from all ages and backgrounds and can take on many different roles. Some are formal teaching roles, but many involve supporting refugees in informal ways such as doing an activity together or simply talking and getting to know their stories.

On this course you’ll meet a number of teachers and volunteers involved in supporting refugees with the specific aim of helping them with language skills. Although we are focusing on English language development, the course is relevant for volunteers helping refugees with whatever language they need to re-settle and build a new life.

Here are the teachers and volunteers you will meet at various points in the course:

Kate, Darren and Alon, Gill, Elena and Linda – working mainly in refugee camps or with refugees in temporary accommodation in France, Italy and Greece:

Marie, Kerrilee, Rudayna supporting refugees in the Middle East:

Elena and Esther supporting children in families who have resettled in the UK:

James, Kathryn, Hilary and Jeni working in colleges or special classes for refugees in the UK.

Listen to some of them talking about their volunteer role.

Task

In the comments, introduce yourself and tell us where you’re from and where you are volunteering or hope to volunteer. When you have completed your introduction, click the ‘Mark as complete’ button to check the step off.

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