1. Empowering Local Communities
60 Charles Street
Leicester
LE1 1FB
Mon - Fri: 9: :00
Sat & Sun: Closed
Welcome
Tel:
Empowering Local Communities

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

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

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

17. Our Partners

18. 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 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.

19. 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

20. Thank you