Refugee Support - Interpreter Volunteer (Tigrinya - Derby)

British Red Cross volunteers help thousands of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants every year enabling people to draw upon their own strengths to withstand crisis and rebuild their lives. Our Interpreter volunteers provide an essential communication link between people who use our service and the volunteers and staff supporting them. Many do not speak English as their first language and rely on high quality and confidential interpretation and translation to relay their personal information. For many people, this can be a difficult and distressing process. We help them to find a way forward and help them start their lives in a new country. ## **We would like you to:** - Volunteer half a day per week at our office. This would be on a Monday, Wednesday or a Friday. There is the possible option of volunteering remotely on other days if preferred. Please note: you will need your own phone if you choose to volunteer remotely. - Volunteer for 12 months - Be able to speak Tigrinya fluently as well as an advanced level of English - Experience of interpreting is desirable but not essential ## **We would be particularly interested to hear from you if you have experience of being a refugee or asylum seeker.** ## Health and Safety Statement ## We take an individual approach to ensuring your safety. We may ask you to complete a simple risk assessment. We will also have a conversation with you to discuss and identify any adjustments you may need. If you have any questions before applying, please contact us at volunteerrecruitment@redcross.org.uk
Why we want you: We are looking for empathetic and professional interpreters who can inspire confidence that people’s messages are translated correctly and that their information will be kept secure. Our Interpreter volunteers are friendly and welcoming and enjoy being part of our supportive and diverse team. Due to the intensity and complexity of parts of our services, it is essential that our Interpreter volunteers work to the highest standards so that we can provide a safe, high quality and effective service.

• Tasks: Interpreting and translating verbatim in one to one or group situations to help people using our service communicate with others. This could be face to face locally, or remotely locally or nationally.
  Translation of forms or guidance
  Written translation to complete required forms/paperwork
  Use your Red Cross training to give emotional support to adults and children

• Skills: Strong communication skills and empathetic about the situation and needs of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants
  Able to volunteer in a multicultural environment
  Able to verbally interpret and translate fluently in the specified language
  Able to write in the language (as well as in English) would be helpful
  Emotionally resilient as you may need to deal with challenging or difficult situations
  Keep the people we support at the heart of what you do

• Benefits: Meet new people and be part of a supportive and inclusive team
  A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones
  All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training)
  Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role
  An opportunity to be part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people’s lives