Football Volunteer

Volunteer Football Assistant – CARAS About CARAS: Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum‑seekers since 2002, empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever‑present. As an organisation we are committed to working alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. Our values are at the centre of all our work: Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights‑based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. About Youth Club: Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14‑19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games. Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub – Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7B About the Role: CARAS is looking for volunteer Football Assistants to support our Football sessions on Mondays, 5:30‑7pm in Balham. Football coaching sessions are led by the Fulham FC Kicks programme weekly, supported by CARAS volunteers to offer a welcome to young people. Volunteer tasks and responsibilities Welcoming young people to the session. Helping young people to register for sessions. Joining in and be a role model for young refugees and asylum seekers. Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements. Following FULHAM FC’s safeguarding policy and CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant. Requirements Essential To be 18 years or older. To be non‑judgmental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. To be reliable and punctual. Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English. The ability to volunteer on Monday evenings for a minimum of four months. Currently resident in the UK. A love of football and wanting to encourage others to play. Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check (residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who has more recently arrived in the UK). Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online), general and safeguarding, before the start of the role. Desirable Knowledge of community languages, such as (Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish). Through volunteering with us, you will Meet new members of your local community. Learn about different cultures. Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum. Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering. Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team. Develop your skills and competencies. Be able to access relevant training. To Apply Apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form from the CARAS website using this volunteer role description to inform your answers. Email your completed form to Mirza at volunteering@caras.org.uk with the email subject header "Football Assistant Volunteer". Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS youth staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis, so apply ASAP All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. #J-18808-Ljbffr