Volunteering at The Welcoming
Our volunteers support English classes, friendship groups, health and wellbeing activities, sustainability activities, and events.
Volunteer Befriender
Role: Volunteer Befriender (Voluntary / Unpaid)
Location: Edinburgh
Commitment: 1-3 hours per week for 9 months from the start of your match
Role
The Welcoming Association is a charity dedicated to supporting New Scots (asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants) in Edinburgh to build positive, integrated lives.
We are looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to join our Befriending Programme and help New Scots feel more at home in their new community.
As a Volunteer Befriender, you will be matched with a New Scot on a one-to-one basis. Through regular meetings, shared activities, and informal English conversation practice, you will help build confidence, reduce isolation, and create meaningful connections.
Why volunteer with us?
“I have really enjoyed my befriending match. I learnt about the importance of cultural exchange in helping people feel welcome in a new place. I also feel like I have become more confident in making conversation with people from different backgrounds.
It’s a great opportunity to do good in the city of Edinburgh!”
Volunteer Befriender, 2025
Volunteering as a befriender is an opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life while learning about different cultures, building your own confidence, and becoming part of a welcoming community.
What will you do?
- Arrange weekly meetings with your befriending match
- Share social and cultural activities together
- Offer informal English language practice
- Support New Scots in getting to know their local area
- Provide information about local services and community opportunities
- Encourage participation in activities at The Welcoming and elsewhere
- Offer a friendly and supportive point of contact
- Attend induction, training, and peer support sessions
What are we looking for?
We would love to hear from people who are:
- Friendly, patient, and open-minded
- Good listeners and communicators
- Interested in supporting others
- Respectful of different cultures and experiences
- Reliable and flexible
- Keen to learn and reflect on their experiences
No previous befriending experience is required.
What will you gain?
- Full induction and initial training
- Regular supervision and support
- Quarterly peer support meetings
- Additional training and personal development opportunities
- New skills and confidence
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your local community
Commitment
The befriending programme lasts for nine months from the start of a match.
Volunteer befrienders are asked to commit an average of 1-3 hours per week.
Meetings usually take place within the local community and can be arranged at times that suit both volunteers and participants.
PVG Requirement
All volunteer befrienders are required to complete a PVG check for work with children and protected adults. The cost of this will be covered by Volunteer Scotland.
Application Notes
If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact:
Chiara Puppi
Befriending Programme Manager
📧 [email protected]
Downloads
Role Description
Apply
Do you want to support our work?
There are many meaningful ways you can support our work and help us create a more welcoming Scotland for New Scots.
You can support The Welcoming by making a donation, partnering with us through fundraising or in-kind support, or by sharing our story to help raise awareness.
Have a question about volunteering?
To find out more about other types of volunteering, please contact [email protected]
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General information for volunteers
Volunteering opportunities with our partners
We work with a range of organisations across Edinburgh and Scotland. Sometimes, our partners have volunteering opportunities that are relevant to our volunteers. When these opportunities become available, they will be listed below.