A Day in the Life - David a Caseworker

Advice and Advocacy and Refugee Integration Casework - A Volunteers story by David London

Thinking about it I don't know what took me so long to volunteer for the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre. I was keen to get into work and I wanted a way to prove to employers that I had the skills and attitude they wanted. I suppose that the first thing that held me back was that I didn't know it existed. It must be our best kept secret that we have one of the best Refugee Centres in the country tucked away in a side street.

Even once I knew about opportunities at the Refugee and Migrant Centre I still held back. I read something about coming across distressing situations, and that put me off. I didn't want to get into something I couldn't handle and let everyone down. This was silly really as I should have realised that as a professional organisation there would be lots of training and support to make sure this didn't happen. a_David_11.jpg Once I had made up my mind to volunteer I contacted the Refugee and Migrant Centre to see if they could use me. They asked what I could do, and I said "All sorts", I thought I should be flexible, "what would be best?" At that time they needed people to work on reception and in addition to the usual reception duties this involved looking after client files and using a database. I hadn't done any of those before but I had covered reception a bit in lunch breaks in a previous job, and I thought that the variety might be good so I said I would give it a try. I think they were a bit surprised when they asked me when I could start that I said "8.30am tomorrow". So I did!

At first I felt overwhelmed, there was so much going on in the Centre and all of it seemed to come through reception (which is what reception is for). Everybody was friendly and encouraging, and Ferik and Marie, the permanent receptionists, explained things as we went along. There seemed a lot to learn so I was a bit cautious, and stuck to jobs I understood while I got a better idea how things worked. I don't mind working but I was worried about making a mistake and messing somebody up. After a few days, doing filing jobs and sorting old files in the store, there was a sort of moment when I thought 'might as well go for it', and when the phone rang I answered it. After that there was no looking back.

I worked on the reception for about six months. There is always plenty to do and you have to be prepared for the unexpected. It was really good, giving me just the sort of opportunity I needed to build up the skills and experience to impress employers.

Eventually though I was seduced away from reception, I had the chance to take an NVQ in Advice and Guidance, but to do this I had to actually give advice and guidance which meant going into another team. Working on reception I had been in constant touch with the Advice Team, and got to know many of them, and I had had a chance to go on their training while working at reception, so I felt confident joining them where I have volunteered ever since, learning more, doing more to build my skills.

I have had a great time volunteering at the Refugee and Migrant Centre and got a lot out of it. And I can tell you there is a real and genuine satisfaction of knowing I have done something, however small, towards helping the people of Coventry along. And that is great, but let's be selfish here and look what else I have gained through volunteering. I have had the chance brush up on existing skills, I have been able to learn new skills, and to demonstrate them in a real life work situation; I have had a chance to gain a qualification; I have up to date references to show employers; and I have shown I can hold down a 9.00 to 5.00 job. On top of that I have made new friends and met some people who have really inspired me. I won't say who in case it embarrasses them. It might sound corny but I can honestly say that the experiences, the things I have seen and heard, the people I have met in the Refugee and Migrant Centre have changed who I am.