Empowering Local Communities 60 Charles Street Leicester LE1 1FB Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 16:00 Sat & Sun: Closed Welcome Tel: 0116 2081341 Email: info@afroinno.org Empowering Local Communities

WHO WE ARE Afro Innovation is a charity working with refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in Leicester and Leicestershire. Our aim is to empower our beneficiaries so they can: access essential services in the UK (integration services, education, welfare, housing) move into sustainable employment become an integral part of the local community Who We Are

Who We Are WHAT WE DO Advocacy and information Asylum support   Asylum support Welfare benefits Employment support Academic Support Women Who We Are

Who we help In our experience, we find that the groups in Leicester with most complex need are: Refused asylum seekers New refugees People from BAME communities looking for work EU/EEA nationals who are homeless, carers, or looking for work Children of asylum seekers who have just turned 18 Who We Are

OUR VOLUNTEERS Who We Are Afro Innovation has been providing refugee support services to the people of Leicester and Leicestershire since 2006. This would not be possible without the many volunteers who have worked, and continue to work, on our behalf.  Who We Are

OUR VOLUNTEER ROLES Who We Are Volunteers work side-by-side with staff in the following areas: Casework Administration Communications and fundraising Projects Who We Are

WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS DO Who We Are Casework volunteer: Some volunteers work directly with refugees and asylum seekers and assist with the provision of services. Administration volunteer: Volunteers support our administration team and work as administrative assistants or researchers. Communications and fundraising volunteer: They operate the organisation’s social media and support us with our fundraising. Who We Are

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER No qualifications are required, simply a desire to help us in our objective to support others. It helps to have the following skills: Good level of written English Ability to explain situations over the phone Understanding of the issues faced by migrants Impartiality and confidentiality Who We Are

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER Volunteer roles are unpaid We can cover travel expenses for people with no income We can assist volunteers with their job-seeking (if relevant) We can provide them with a reference to gain employment. Who We Are

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS We ask all volunteers to commit to 1 day a week and for a minimum of 3 months. Volunteer roles also require an understanding of the principles of confidentiality and data protection. Who We Are

HOW WE SUPPORT OUR VOLUNTEERS As a team environment, we provide volunteers with development opportunities We offer the training and support necessary to allow them to successfully contribute to making a difference to the lives of those who turn to us for help.  Who We Are

WHERE OUR VOLUNTEERS WORK We have offices in central Leicester where all volunteer work is carried out. If we do events in the community, volunteering takes place in the city. Who We Are

PROFILES Who We Are 10 volunteers: 9 female, one male 2 are students 4 are asylum seekers 9 are non-UK born 5 are casework volunteers 5 are administration volunteers Who We Are

FUTURE ROLES Who We Are Creative writers Community outreach workers Web developers Researchers Photographers Who We Are

HOW YOU CAN VOLUNTEER Who We Are Please fill in the form and we will contact you as soon as possible. Who We Are

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Volunteering policy Equal opportunities policy Complaints policy Sexual harassment policy Privacy policy Who We Are

Our Partners

Our Partners Leicester University – We have a work placement agreement with Leicester University, offering work placements to undergraduate students. Nottingham Trent University – We have a work placement with NTU, offering work placements to students of the Faculty of Social Sciences ‘@Work’ module. Leicester City of Sanctuary – Referrals and joint recreational activities. Race Equality Centre (TREC) – We are members of the Multi-Agency Forum (MAF) hosted by TREC. As MAF members, we convene every 3 months with local statutory agencies to communicate the needs and issues faced by our users. Job Centre Plus – We receive referrals from JCP to support people who are long-term unemployed to get back into work. EngageME - Engage ME assists us to tailor, improve and transform our services to be more accessible and more relevant to minority people and communities.

Our Partners Leicester Adult Skills and Learning – LASALS delivers ESOL classes at our organisation for people whose first language is not English British Red Cross - referrals and exchange of expertise Bridge Homelessness to Hope –referrals and exchange of expertise Zinthiya Trust –referrals and exchange of expertise After 18 - referrals and exchange of expertise Shama Women’s Centre – mutual referrals and exchange of expertise Open Hands Leicester - referrals The Welcome Project – referrals

Thank you