Thank you! We have recruited many new volunteers over the past couple of months, boosting our total to 170 people who are actively assisting the refugee/migrant community in the Newcastle and the Hunter region. Some new recruits have replaced retiring volunteers in our Volunteers In Schools Program and Homework Centre, and others have been new placements in programs such as: womens’ sewing group, childrens’ playgroup, in-home tutoring, shopping assistance, etc.
Here is the list of our current volunteering needs - please contact me if you (or someone you know) can assist:
* Youth Activity Day event - About 10 volunteers are required for supervision, BBQ duties, joining in the fun, etc. at the Youth Activity Day for Newcastle’s African Communities. There will be basketball, mini soccer, dancing & music, etc. If you wish to pre-arrange a volunteer activity, then please contact me. Otherwise, just turn up on the day and you’ll be given a task to help with.
Place: Newcastle PCYC, Young Rd, Broadmeadow
Day: Tue 22nd April (school holidays)
Time: 10am - 2.30pm
* Outreach Homework Centre for Pacific Islander students - Volunteers needed to help students from Pacific Islander backgrounds with their homework at this new centre. This activity would suit volunteers who live in or near the Woodberry, Beresfield, Tarro, Thornton, East Maitland areas.
Place: Francis Greenway High School, Woodberry
Day: one day per week, yet to be determined (will discuss suitable days with volunteers)
Time: 3:30 - 5:30pm
* In-Home Tutors - Volunteers needed to help African refugee students with homework in their homes. This is for both primary & high school students, however there is currently a strond demand for assistance with high school Maths & English.
Place: Waratah, Jesmond, Islington, Wallsend, Wickham, New Lambton, Charlestown, Mayfield.
* Driving Supervision – Volunteers with full driver’s licence needed to provide driving practice supervision for African refugees. They need to log 120 hours of practice to apply for the P licence test. Refugees use their own cars, are insured, pay for their own petrol, and have already had several driving school lessons.
Place: Waratah, Hamilton, Jesmond, New Lambton.
* Women’s Sewing Groups / Children’s Playgroups - Volunteers needed to help refugee women with sewing activities & maintenance of sewing machines. Groups may also extend to other activities such as cooking. Volunteers also needed to assist with supervision of children in playgroup whilst mothers are in sewing group.
Place: “Penola House” (ie. old Hamilton Police Station, on James St, between Chaucer St & Milton St)
Day: Mon (Burundian-Rwandan women) ; Tue/Wed/Thu (Sudanese women)
Time: 10am – 2pm (volunteers could do a 2 hour morning or afternoon session)
* Family Assistance – Volunteers needed to provide general assistance to refugee families, eg. weekly shopping & other transport, understanding of correspondence, English conversation practice, parenting/baby issues, etc.
Place: Jesmond, Islington, Waratah, Warners Bay, Mayfield, Charlestown, Wallsend.
* Employment / Work Experience – There are some refugee teens / early 20s who are seeking their first job. If anyone runs a business, or knows someone who runs a business, or is in a position to assist with employment or work experience, please contact either me.
Place: Any suburb.
Michael Freund
Volunteers Co-ordinator
Northern Settlement Services
8 Chaucer Street, Hamilton, NSW 2303
Office Hours: Mon 9-5, Tue 9-5, Fri 9-1
Phone: 02 4969 3399 Mobile: 0434 426982 Fax: 02 4961 4997
Email: volunteers@nsservices.com.au
Website: www.nsservices.com.au
