Could you befriend a refugee?
Building relationships is at the centre of Restore’s work. It’s our heartbeat. Befriending is a simple idea that has significant impact. Trained and DBS-checked volunteers meet with a refugee or asylum seeker once a fortnight for a minimum period of 6 months to offer welcome, to share together, to develop conversational English language skills, to explain British systems and culture, to visit places of interest and to signpost to other services.
Befriending is flexible in terms of time of meeting and where to meet. (Meetings are in public spaces and not in homes). So many volunteers find it fits in well alongside other commitments such as work or study. We believe the best way to understand befriending is to hear about it first-hand. Please watch our videos of befrienders and read the comments below, to find out more.
All volunteer befrienders need to complete our training course first in order to befriend. This course covers all information for befriending including our procedures and safeguarding training, as well as information about the asylum process in the UK.
You can register for our next training course here.
If you have questions or would like more information please contact Jasmine, our Befriending Co-Ordinator via jasmine@restore-uk.org
“I have found being a befriender such a richly rewarding experience. It is a privilege to help an asylum seeker to settle into their completely new environment with practical assistance, language practice and just a friendly face. I have been pleasantly surprised by the enjoyment of learning about a completely different culture and traditions.... including sampling some of their delicious food!”
“Befriending has had a significant impact on my confidence, allowing me to become more comfortable communicating with a wide range of people and adapting to different situations. Through building supportive relationships, I have expanded my knowledge and understanding of others’ experiences, perspectives, and challenges, which has strengthened my empathy and awareness.”
“Befriending with Restore has been a wonderful experience. There is the knowledge that you are giving support and connection to someone who has been on a very difficult journey and may be painfully adrift in the world.”