# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Video diary of a week in the life of an area team

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here Alison, from the Dacorum area team, records her video diary of a typical week: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

# data[].attributes.headline
We can do something very simple for us which makes them feel so much better (Caroline) 

# data[].attributes.subject
We can do something very simple for us which makes them feel so much better (Caroline) 

# data[].attributes.body
very humbled by the asylum seekers/refugees experiences. Caroline

# data[].attributes.body
It is a privilege to meet and befriend such wonderful people from around the world and hopefully help them at this difficult time in their lives.

# data[].attributes.body
Having travelled extensively and studied in the Middle East as a university student, I was always greeted with the best hospitality. When Syria fell to war, I knew I had to give back to the same hospitality and love I received. Additionally, I love speaking to them in their native tongue in order to help them know they are not alone and to empower them.

(Joyce)

# data[].attributes.headline
"Volunteers are the life blood of our charity" video from Annabel

# data[].attributes.subject
"Volunteers are the life blood of our charity" video from Annabel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"Volunteers are the life blood of our charity." Watch our Administrator Annabel in this short video clip on volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees. The video was made by North Herts Council when our volunteer Veronica was awarded a Local Hero award in the Caring category.

Herts Welcomes Refugees relies on volunteers to manage and promote the charity, fundraise, and to welcome and support refugee families and asylum seekers in Hertfordshire.

We need new volunteers to continue to support refugees and asylum seekers as their needs develop.

We are looking for volunteers with a variety of skills across the county. Please get in touch to see how you can help by e-mailing enquiries@hwsf.org.uk

We are looking for the following roles in these areas:

Befrienders to welcome families and individuals who are settling in the area. The befriending role is broad and might include support with everyday life in the UK - understanding letters from school or the GP, joining the library, practising English, familiarising with the local area and facilities.

Dacorum

East Herts and Broxbourne

St Albans and Hertsmere

Stevenage and North Herts

Welwyn Hatfield

Watford

Volunteers particularly those who are ESOL/English language teachers to lead or assist with English classes, small groups or 1:1 language support

Dacorum

East Herts and Broxbourne

St Albans and Hertsmere

Stevenage and North Herts

Welwyn Hatfield

Watford

​

​Volunteer teachers in specific school subjects including maths and science to offer 1:1 support to children in person or on Zoom.

Volunteers to join a team supporting asylum seekers at our weekly drop ins and with activities.

​More broadly, we would love to hear from you if you can offer any of the following skills:
​

Translating/interpreting

Marketing and communications

Administrative help

Repairing and delivering bicycles

Fundraising

Driving

Supporting employment​​

​

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"Volunteers are the life blood of our charity." Watch our Administrator Annabel in this short video clip on volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees. The video was made by North Herts Council...

# data[].attributes.headline
"What motivates you to volunteer?" from Kathie and Veronica

# data[].attributes.subject
"What motivates you to volunteer?" from Kathie and Veronica

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our volunteers Kathie and Veronica talk about what motivates them to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees, in these clips taken from this video by North Herts Council's made when Veronica was given...

# data[].attributes.headline
"It is life enhancing to get to know lovely people"

# data[].attributes.subject
"It is life enhancing to get to know lovely people"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Meet volunteer Lorna: "it is life-enhancing to get to know lovely people".

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We were delighted to hear from our volunteer Lorna, who tells us: "My first experience of volunteering with HWR was helping at the monthly social lunches for Syrian refugees in Hitchin/Letchworth in...

# data[].attributes.headline
"whilst we may give a little of ourselves to the people we support, they actually give back far more"

# data[].attributes.subject
"whilst we may give a little of ourselves to the people we support, they actually give back far more"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Meet volunteer Pete: “whilst we may give a little of ourselves to the people we support, they actually give back far more”

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here volunteer Pete tells his story: “I was introduced to HWR by an Iranian friend (not a refugee) who, in the course of describing the dire situation in her native country, mentioned that there…

# data[].attributes.body
New friends – and new insight into life and experience of all of us – volunteers and refugees partners (Kate W)

# data[].attributes.body
A full-time volunteer with a number of groups and enjoy “giving back” (Andrew)

# data[].attributes.body
Improved mental health, meeting people, having a part of group making a difference, improved knowledge of their situation and horrendous situation (Anna C)

# data[].attributes.body
Feel I have contributed in some way (Finola)

# data[].attributes.body
I made new friends for life.  They mostly live with us. (Maria)

# data[].attributes.body
It’s really nice to do something I am passionate about now I am retired (Helen S)

# data[].attributes.body
Kept aware of what was going in refugees lives (Annette)

# data[].attributes.body
Deeply! ((Birim)

# data[].attributes.body
Raised awareness of the reality of their situation and background (Kathy)

# data[].attributes.body
Background in helping in church, now retired and active (Pete)

# data[].attributes.body
Rewarding, purpose to own life and eye opening experience (Kate Wr)

# data[].attributes.body
Enjoy using my skills (Helen)

# data[].attributes.body
Enjoying lovely friendship with 1-2-1 student and the family (Elizabeth)

# data[].attributes.body
Heart goes out to people (Ann)

# data[].attributes.body
Had worked for Citizens' Advice, wanted to be involved with HWR from the start (Kate W)

# data[].attributes.body
Heavy experience (Annabel)

# data[].attributes.body
Jewish – tradition of being a refugees = family history (Debbie)

# data[].attributes.body
Calais & Tents (Shona)

# data[].attributes.body
Had background with the British Council and wanted to use some of my skills and experience to help others (Andrew)

# data[].attributes.body
Wanted to do something to help others (Finola)

# data[].attributes.body
My German history – my involvement wit the Amnesty International – teaching English because I arrived in UK without knowing the language (Maria)

# data[].attributes.body
Through connection with Refugee Council and refugee background (Helen S)

# data[].attributes.body
Donated to refugee council – heard about Syria.  EFL teacher in Germany. (Annette)

# data[].attributes.body
Immigrant – seen others struggle, wants to help people's journey (Birim)

# data[].attributes.body
Started helping family from Syria 5 years ago, now works in Hatfield (Valerie)

# data[].attributes.body
Some free time – desire to help (Kathy)

# data[].attributes.body
Started as handy helper (Pete)

# data[].attributes.body
English teacher at University next door to hotel.  Colleague at University was volunteering (Helen)

# data[].attributes.body
Former ESOL Teacher – became interested in refugees, asylum seekers (Elizabeth)

# data[].attributes.body
Supporting one of the refugee children through a difficult period at school and moving him into a more supportive school environment (Debbie)

# data[].attributes.body
I enjoy seeing the growing confidence of the people I've been teaching at the Hotel (Andrew)

# data[].attributes.body
Spoke to asylum seeker on the telephone, got to connect with reality and speak directly about the situation.  Helped realised why helping. (Anna C)

# data[].attributes.body
Asylum Seekers at lunch in Ware saying how very much we have helped her (Kate We)

# data[].attributes.body
Set up tea & talk group.  3 women fed back how beautiful it was to share experiences with each other in a café environment without feeling judged (Finola)

# data[].attributes.body
Many special moments, all related to the unstoppable optimism of mother and daughter E & I (Maria)

# data[].attributes.body
W and H saying they like the UK because they feel safe, they felt threatened and afraid on arrival (Kathy)

# data[].attributes.body
Helping one lady who came to trust and rely on me (Pete)

# data[].attributes.body
Attending the graduation of a Syrian student named Enas Barakas.  Supported with her English for 6 years – interior design at Middlesex University (Kate Wr)

# data[].attributes.body
Helping refugees apply for jobs and getting it (Helen)

# data[].attributes.body
Joy of seeing 1-2-1 student receive news or UK citizenship (Elizabeth)

# data[].attributes.headline
Take a look at some of our volunteer stories on our website

# data[].attributes.subject
Take a look at some of our volunteer stories on our website

# data[].attributes.headline
"I absolutely love spending time with everyone from the hostel"

# data[].attributes.subject
"I absolutely love spending time with everyone from the hostel"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"I absolutely love spending my time with everyone from the hostel"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
​Paulina thoroughly enjoys being a volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees. She is originally from the Netherlands, so has some experience of what it's like to live in a different country from...

# data[].attributes.body
This year we hear from our wonderful volunteers about volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees - with our gratitude and admiration.

# data[].attributes.body
Quite simply I want to help refugees and asylum seekers. By supporting HWR with PR and communications, I’m raising awareness of what amazing work we do and the real stories of why refugees and asylum seekers come here. I hope this helps more people understand and empathise, and welcome them to their new home. (Anna C)

# data[].attributes.headline
Can you name a special moment when you were volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees?

# data[].attributes.subject
Can you name a special moment when you were volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees?

# data[].attributes.body
It was lovely when F took me to her citizenship ceremony (Helen S)

# data[].attributes.headline
What inspires you to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees?

# data[].attributes.subject
What inspires you to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees?