Volunteering Opportunities
Welcome to CEC and thanks for your interest in volunteering with us!
We really value the involvement of volunteers in our work. Volunteers reflect the interests, needs and resources of the local community we serve while bringing unique perspectives and additional skills to all that we deliver. Some of what we do couldn’t happen at all without the support of volunteers. For example, without the support of volunteers we would not be able to deliver the education support to so many children and young people who attend Conway’s Homework Club!
Volunteering is at the heart of everything the CEC does, from our management committee to the fabulous team of people who make tea and coffee for our centre users, we couldn’t continue to exist without your help. Thank you!
Volunteering will provide you with an opportunity to use your skills and to develop new ones. It will give you a chance to meet new friends and actively support your community. All CEC volunteers are eligible to have their travel expenses reimbursed and get free tea and coffee of course!
Interested? Please get in touch to find out more about volunteering with us and you could download our Volunteering Handbook with an overview of our volunteering roles and main policies. We’d love a chance to talk to you about your skills and availability and try to find a role for you that suits both our requirements.
Current Opportunities
Working with refugees on our summer programme: Be part of our summer volunteers team! The summer programme offers a range of volunteering roles, perfect for getting to know our new neighbours, make new friends or gain valuable work experience. You could be supporting the teacher and helping children in class, learning about Arabic cooking and helping to provide the lunches, assisting adults to improve their English, or provide support during the afternoon activities. The summer programme runs from Monday 22 July to Thursday 8 August. We’d like to ask volunteers for a minimum time committment of four mornings or afternoons. To be part of our summer volunteer team, please download and complete our Voluntary work application form.
Centre Support Volunteers: We have a wide range of activities around the Conway Education Centre that require support from volunteers. From making tea and coffee in the afternoons and evenings for our centre users, to reception duties and administrative tasks, volunteers are essential to the regular day to day operation of the CEC. It might not seem like much, but helping with making tea and coffee through the afternoon and evening for centre users is an ongoing need in the CEC and volunteers who can help with this are much in demand. If you are available one afternoon or evening per week please get in touch. We’d love the opportunity to chat and see what skills you could bring to the centre, and what volunteering with CEC might give you in return. If you think you can lend a hand contact Centre Manager Pauline Kersten on 02890 248543 or use our online webform.
Homework Support Volunteers: We provide homework support to refugee children/young people in primary and secondary school. This takes place on Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 5pm, during term time. The volunteering role requires the commitment of one hour per week and would include offering guidance and support to enable children to complete homework tasks, ensuring children/young people understand the homework task, supporting children and young people to develop good learning and revision skills. Every afternoon between 12 and 19 refugee children and young people make their way to Conway Education Centre to get help with completing their homework. Usually the group is split in the primary and secondary school age group, each group having their own room with volunteers to support them. The afternoons are busy and have a real positive vibe, the chikdren and young people are very eager to improve their English, to learn and to do their homework well. We are still looking for volunteers to help with this important service! For more information, please contact Centre manager Pauline Kersten on 02890 248543 or email pkersten@conwayeducation.org
Volunteer mentors: Conway Education Centre is looking for Volunteer mentors to help Essential Skills Maths and English students who require extra support. This is an ideal opportunity for a retired teacher who would like to give something back and provide mentoring to an adult learner who is returning to education. It is also an excellent opportunity for student teachers, youth workers or learning support workers who would like to gain valuable experience and make a real difference. We are looking for someone who is knowledgeable and proficient in either English or Maths, (preferably with at least a level 3 qualification in English or Maths) who has a very positive attitude, excellent communication skills and is flexible, patient and supportive. The commitment would be for a minimum of approx. 2 hours per week, from October to June. Mentors will be asked to complete an Access NI form.
All volunteers will be asked to complete an Access NI check (no cost to the volunteer).
Volunteering News
Be part of our summer volunteers team!
The summer programme for refugee families offers a range of volunteering roles, perfect for getting to know our new neighbours, make new friends or gain valuable work experience. You could be supporting the teacher and helping children in class, learning about Arabic cooking and helping to provide the lunches, assisting adults to improve their English, or provide support during the afternoon activities. Watch this space for our next programme!
Interested? Please contact Centre Manager Pauline Kersten on 02890 248543 or email pkersten@conwayeducation.org
To find out more about volunteering, please contact us.