Volunteer Opportunities

ARA Volunteer Position Descriptors

Family Support Program
Volunteers regularly visit refugee families to provide friendship and support.  Tasks could include providing information and support ie show them around Adelaide, take them to the local shops etc, assist people to practise English and help with children’s homework, promote other services through ARA or other organisations that may help them further.

Approximate time commitment: 2 hours per week

Homework Clubs
Volunteers work as tutors/mentors to high school students from refugee backgrounds to help and support them with their school work and learning of English.  Homework Clubs operate from 4 – 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Note: teaching qualifications/experience not necessary.

Approximate time commitment: one afternoon (2 hours) per week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs)

Help Desk
Volunteers work in the open door centre which can provide financial and material assistance to some refugees, referrals to other services, information, basic advocacy, basic budgeting advice and general assistance to settle in Australia.  Volunteers act as a point of contact for people to ask questions and seek help.

Approximate time commitment: one day per week, 9.30am – 4.30pm (or a half day)

Donation Centre
Volunteers work in pairs to collect furniture donations from members of the community and deliver furniture to newly arrived refugees.  ARA has a van and trailer for use when collecting and delivering furniture.

Approximate time commitment: one day per week

Youth Projects
ARA often runs various youth projects which we need volunteers to assist with.  Projects include group work programs, Job-Ready Set Go , Speak Up, African Women’s Dance Program.  Volunteers help support the running of the programs.

Approximate time commitment: one session per week / varying

Admin / Reception
ARA office volunteers are often the first contact clients have with ARA as they assist in staffing the reception – their role is vital in the efficient operation of the organisation.  Office volunteers are also involved in a range of administration tasks.

Approximate time commitment: one day per week (generally 9am – 5pm)

Promotions Team
ARA needs volunteers to help promote ARA and our services.  We often have requests to hold stands at expos, festivals, schools etc.  If you are keen to help spread the word of ARA and to help us promote our services, we would love your help!  Volunteers will be kept on a register to be contacted whenever an upcoming event is scheduled and then in groups will attend the given event to run the ARA stall and talk to people, hand out fliers about who ARA is.

Approximate time commitment: to be advised

Migration Team
The migration team gives advice and assistance to clients in preparing and lodging refugee and other visa applications and reviews; making submissions to the Minister and a variety of other things in relation to migration and refugee process.  Volunteers are needed to conduct research, assist in writing submissions and help prepare visa applications.  Law students or people with a social science/arts background preferred.  We also need volunteers who are willing to help with occasional administrative work (no particular background necessary).

Approximate time commitment: to be negotiated with volunteer

Emergency Response Team
The Emergency Response Team is a roster of people willing to be called on at minimal notice to assist with various “emergency” actions.  For example, a new family arriving at the airport need to be picked up and supported in first few weeks after arrival; someone in hospital needing support and care.  This is not a long term commitment with a particular family or project, but rather an on-call roster to be called on for assisting with emergency situations.

Approximate time commitment: short term, last minute notice (will be called to see if available)