Refugee Support Volunteer - Blenheim
Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand · Part Time
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- Experience
- Any
- Salary
- —
- Openings
- 1
- Posted
- 2 hours ago
- Work mode
- In office
- Eligibility
- Individuals interested in contributing as volunteers to support refugee resettlement and willing to commit the required time and training are eligible to apply.
- Resume
- Required to apply
Where you'll work
Job description
Role Overview
Refugee support volunteers operate in collaborative teams to assist former refugees as they begin their resettlement journey in New Zealand. Volunteers are organized based on availability and matched by complementary skills to optimize support delivery.
Key Volunteer Responsibilities
- Prepare a home for refugee individuals or families prior to their arrival.
- Assist families with enrolling in local schools and registering with healthcare providers.
- Offer guidance on budgeting, grocery shopping, and ATM usage.
- Teach refugees how to navigate and use public transportation systems.
- Engage in social visits and provide general orientation about living in New Zealand.
Volunteer Requirements and Training
Volunteers receive extensive training, totaling approximately eight hours, covering practical support skills, social interaction, and intercultural awareness. Sessions are conducted over multiple evenings, weekends, or occasionally daytime hours.
Volunteers work within teams supported by New Zealand Red Cross personnel and fellow volunteers. Candidates should possess strong knowledge of their local environs, openness to cross-cultural collaboration, resourcefulness, and the initiative to act independently when necessary.
The commitment involves a minimum of four volunteer hours weekly, distributed flexibly across the week, with no fixed shift times. Prospective volunteers must pledge to participate for at least three to six months.
A police background check is mandatory for all volunteers.
Additional Engagement Details
Active volunteers often spend their initial two to four weeks assisting with appointments and settlement activities, maintaining support generally for around six weeks per refugee family. New volunteer groups are increasingly sought to support refugee families from Myanmar.
Upcoming Training Sessions
- Wednesday, 12 August from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday, 15 August from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Training will be held at the Blenheim Service Centre, 33 Redwood Street.
How to Apply
Interested individuals should complete the application form to be connected with a Red Cross staff member for further inquiries and next steps. For more details, please contact John, the Regional Trainer, via phone or email.