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Diversity project
Background
The Diversity Project at Islington Volunteer Centre works to help people from BME communities, including refugees and asylum seekers gain access to volunteering opportunities. It is so called because of the diverse range of languages, culture, experiences and people with which we work.
The project has three main aims:
- To give all Black and Ethnic Minority Groups (BME), including refugees and asylum seekers, the opportunity and support to volunteer.
- To give refugee organisations in Islington support in managing volunteers.
- To encourage all voluntary organisations to give refugees and asylum seekers suitable support and access and provide the organisations with a valuable new source of recruits.
At the time the project was the only one in the UK providing such a service.
We have been running successfully now since 1998, matching many people to suitable volunteering opportunities. Last year we saw over 300 people and matched many of those people with a suitable voluntary placement. In finding people suitable volunteering opportunities we are in turn helping to diversify the organisations taking on the volunteers.
Volunteer support
Our team of advisors interview clients in English or their first language and select between five and ten suitable voluntary vacancies for them. We will then contact, on the client's behalf, the organisations they would like to volunteer for. If appropriate we help with CVs and application forms and we can attend interviews with clients. We are also available to accompany clients on their first day at their voluntary placement if needed.
If a client is not ready to volunteer they will be referred to relevant organisations for additional support, including IT training, ESOL classes and other courses, legal and welfare advice and counselling.
Why volunteer?
People volunteer for many reasons: perhaps to learn a new skill or use existing skills, to make new friends or build their confidence. Volunteering is useful, and in most cases essential, for getting UK work references and experience.
For all the members of the BME communities who access the project these things along with many others are the reason why they volunteer. The overall feeling is that volunteering is useful and fun, that is why we as a project have been running for five years, and see such a diverse range of people.
Confidential interviewing space is available if required.
Project Manager: Sr. Ann Ugoh (DDL)
Tel: 020 7686 6807
Fax: 020 7686 6805
To email the Diversity project, please use our email form.