Volunteer with us
Young Roots’ volunteers are key to so much of our work and activities.
Joining us in Croydon and Brent, you are part of busy teams working on exciting projects. From the delivery of English mentoring, or day trips to the zoo, to getting involved in our Fundraising efforts, and assisting our caseworkers, there are so many ways you can contribute to young people’s well-being.
Thank you for dedicating your time and skills to our mission.
Croydon - ‘Merhaba’ Youth Club volunteer
We are looking for volunteers interested in working with young asylum seekers and refugees to support our weekly youth club in Croydon, ‘Merhaba’. Merhaba Youth Club is a safe space where 18-25 year old refugees and asylum seekers living in contingency accommodation can come to socialise with their peers, develop friendships, build a better understanding of their rights and entitlements, gain new skills and access 1:1 support. The club runs on Tuesdays, 2.30-4.30pm, and we ask that you come to Merhaba at least three times each month and attend the whole session. The role involves supporting staff to set up and deliver activities – including 1:1 English and games – as well as administrative support.
Please download the role description, read our youth participation statement, and email your CV and a cover letter to london@youngroots.org.uk.
Brent Hub - Youthwork volunteer
We are looking for volunteers to join our weekly Hub in Brent. The Hub is a space where 11-25 year old refugees and asylum seekers come to play football, cricket and other sports and also seek support with issues in their lives. It runs in Willesden every Wednesday from 4.45pm to 8pm.
The role will be a floating role between sports, board games and English class or on reception - a chance to get involved in different activities!
Please download the role description, read our youth participation statement, and email your CV and a cover letter to london@youngroots.org.uk.
Croydon Youth Club English Teaching Volunteer
We are looking for volunteers to help us run informal English classes at our youth club in Croydon. Ideally you will have prior experience in teaching, particularly teaching English as foreign language. Our youth club is a space where 11–25-year-old refugees and asylum seekers come to hang out, take part in workshops and activities and seek support with issues in their lives. The group runs every Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 pm in East Croydon. As a volunteer you would be required to attend two hours of the session, at least two times per month for at least 6 months.
Please download the role description, read our youth participation statement, and email your CV and a cover letter to london@youngroots.org.uk.
Croydon Advice and Support Hub Volunteer
We are looking for volunteers to join our weekly Advice and Support Hub in Croydon. The Hub is a space where 11–25-year asylum seeking and refugee young people can access advice on various issues, including housing, immigration, physical and mental health, and take part in a range of youth activities and group workshops. Our Croydon Hub takes place every Thursday from 4:30pm to 8pm in East Croydon.
The role would be primarily to support the youth development team with the set-up and delivery of the youth activities. The volunteer would be required to attend the Hub twice a month, for the whole length of the session.
If you would like to apply, please download the role description, read our youth participation statement and email your CV and a cover letter to london@youngroots.org.uk.
If this is not what you are looking for, please do email us at london@youngroots.org.uk to express your interest in volunteering with us.
“I volunteer with Young Roots to let young asylum seekers and refugees know they are welcome in this country. When the pandemic forced the Youth Club to halt in-person activities, Young Roots adapted quickly to provide support and social events online, including weekly mentoring sessions.
In these sessions, I am partnered with a young person for 10 weeks and we practice English language skills.
I have been so impressed by the commitment of the young people to learn and their continued positivity has helped me stay optimistic and hopeful for the future, too.”
— Catriona McNeish, Croydon Advice and support hub Volunteer
“I first joined Young Roots as an intern in 2015 when I was doing my Master’s degree in International Cooperation, and became Croydon’s Project Coordinator in 2018 to 2021.
Young Roots provides safe spaces where young people can share their ideas and what matters to them. All these years I learnt a lot from the experience, unique needs and struggles of the young refugees I worked with.
Now, as a volunteer part of the Fundraising team,I am enjoying learning new skills and utilising these knowledge and skills to raise vital funds and continue running Young Root’s brilliant services for the young refugees who need them.”
— Charlene Jollivet, Fundraising Volunteer 2021