Growing Together Levenshulme provides an allotment space and gardening activities for asylum seekers and refugees in the Manchester area. The Garden is a place for refugees and asylum seekers to meet new people, learn and share gardening skills and relax in the beautiful space we’ve created together. 

We are now open Tuesday and Friday daytimes, and are looking for People Support Volunteers to aid the running of one or both of these days each week at Levenshulme Allotments. 

You would volunteer alongside other members of the People Support team to provide informal support and signposting where needed to participants at the Garden, and to facilitate the smooth running of the non-gardening aspects of the project.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Welcoming new participants and completing inductions
• Being available during session for participants to discuss issues/challenges they are facing
• Supporting participants to read and understand letters, fill out forms, make phonecalls etc.
• Signposting and/or referral on to specialist agencies as required
• Occasional writing of letters of support
• Ensuring the session runs smoothly and safely
• Recording and distributing travel expenses to participants
• Attending monthly team meetings (currently on Zoom).

This role would suit somebody who:

• Works well with people from a variety of backgrounds
• Good people skills and an ability to listen to and support people who are under considerable stress
• Commitment to working in an empowering way
• Enjoys being outdoors (in all weathers!)

Our friendly team will provide training and support to grow into the role, so no particular experience is needed, although the following may be useful: 

• Experience working with asylum seekers or vulnerable adults
• Experience providing advice or advocacy/casework
• Understanding of the UK asylum system and asylum support, and knowledge of relevant local services (willingness to develop knowledge in this area is essential)
• We particularly welcome volunteers with lived experience of the asylum system

Covid-19:

Since reopening in-person sessions, we have introduced a number of precautions to reduce risk of transmission, including mask-wearing inside. These guidelines have come from the participants and help the safe running of the project.