South London Refugee Association

Applications for this opportunity are closed.

About the Placement

South London Refugee Association is a well-established local migrant support organisation working for and with refugees, asylum seekers and others who are at risk or in crisis as a result of immigration issues. Our committed, supportive team provides a range of services including advice and casework, ESOL classes, supportive group sessions, youth casework, and activities for families and young people.

Most of the people we work with come from countries affected by political conflict and instability. They include young people who have experienced trauma and have arrived alone and disorientated in London, families trying to navigate the UK’s complex asylum process and others who have been trafficked to the UK. We aim to fill the gaps in service provision and go the extra mile to make a difference to people’s lives and empower them to take steps for their well-being.

Volunteering in the SLRA Youth Team

Our youth casework and positive activities provide the specialist advice that vulnerable young migrants need, along with opportunities that develop confidence, gain skills and knowledge. We are looking for a committed volunteer to support young people with a variety of different tasks.

Main Volunteer Tasks

Looking for and enrolling on educational courses

Finding leisure activities

Resolving housing problems

Obtaining medical help

Liaising with solicitors or other professionals

Signposting and referrals to other services

Attending immigration solicitors' appointments

Supporting casework team with gathering evidence for immigration applications

Reviewing files and drafting summaries of immigration history

Drafting complaints to solicitors

Supporting with completing applications for NASS support, travel documents, and BRP replacements with supervision from OISC regulated caseworkers

Accompanying young people to attend important appointments & interviews and support access to positive activities.

Pro Bono Skills Development Framework

The Centre for Access to Justice now offers all students engaged in voluntary pro bono the opportunity to participate in the Pro Bono Skills Development Framework . This framework allows you to reflect on the skills gained during your placement, aligned with the Aurora Competence Framework. Completing it earns you a Certificate of Commitment to Pro Bono, acknowledging your dedication and skill development. Your participation will help you document and showcase the valuable competencies you've developed, however, please note that participation in the PBSDF scheme is entirely voluntary and will not affect your placement in any way.

Who can apply?

We welcome applicants from LLB and LLM students that are able to commit in-person for the full time-period. The ideal candidate will be a Year 2 LLB student, or a part-time LLM student in their first year.

DBS Checks

This project requires Enhanced DBS checks, to be processed through the South London Refugee Association (SLRA). Enhanced DBS checks take a considerable amount of time to be processed, so please ensure that you obtain all required documents as soon as you are selected in order to begin your placement as soon as possible. For more information on the DBS process, please see the SLRA DBS guidance below.

volunteer_dbs_list_of_accepted_identity_documents_2024.pdf

How to Apply

Information on this role will be available on our SharePoint Website from 22 September 2025. You can find a list of all projects that are accepting applications on the CAJ Quick Guide to Opportunities and Deadlines.

If you have any questions, please contact Annika Melwani at annika.melwani@ucl.ac.uk.