Participation coach for asylum seekers

Participation coaches for asylum seekers in Wageningen  

Starting Together – pilot through 2027  

Refugees want nothing more than to participate fully in society.  

The volunteer participation coach helps asylum seekers—who are not yet sufficiently able to do so on their own—to take the first steps towards participating.  

Do you want to help someone on their way as a volunteer at VluchtelingenWerk and make a difference in the process?  

Time commitment: Preferably available for two half-days per week. To be scheduled according to your own possibilities.  

VluchtelingenWerk guides refugees from arrival to self-reliance. This is good for refugees and good for Dutch society. We are enterprising idealists who remain down-to-earth and professional, and are eager to put our knowledge and network to use. Are you too? Then join our team as a volunteer participation coach.  

The volunteer participation coach guides status holders towards a participation placement and supports them during the first months that they are searching and/or working at this location. This may involve a course, an activity, or (volunteer) work. It may also involve setting up or organizing something new. We would like to utilize all talents! Because you don't have to know everything yourself, we work as a team.  

Your duties may include, among others:  

• Getting to know and supporting asylum seekers in finding and retaining a suitable participation placement, or on the way there:  
• Mapping out who the participants are, what their needs, talents, wishes, and qualities or limitations are.  
• Coaching participants to help them discover which activities in the Netherlands suit them, based on the foregoing.  
• Optionally, providing information on (employee) skills and explaining Dutch (work) culture.  

• Visits to the Keijenbergseweg or Bosrandweg asylum seekers' center, but appointments can also easily be made in the city.  
• Additionally, coordinate regularly with your team (leader) and record the main points in the online tracking system of VluchtelingenWerk (VVS).  

What we ask of the volunteer participation coach:  

• That you can easily gain people's trust, and are patient and empathetic.  
• You can work from a position of equality.  
• You are able to connect with the resident, encourage and motivate him/her to get started independently (to adopt a coaching attitude).  
• You are culturally and trauma-sensitive (or willing to learn about this) and creative – to gain insights when spoken language does not always work.  
• Ideally, you have a local network and knowledge of the local/regional social landscape, or are willing to delve into this.  
• You are willing to attend training and regularly exchange questions and answers with your colleagues (via Signal and in-person meetings).  

1. What we offer  

• You will join a stimulating and challenging work environment with room for your own development and initiative.  
• A team of enthusiastic volunteers, volunteer interpreters, and two cultural connectors.  
• Room to shape the guidance of people in your own way.  
• A weekly Participation Desk (at the asylum seekers' centre) on Wednesday afternoons that helps us bridge the gap.  
• You will receive a (short) onboarding program and opportunities to follow additional high-quality training and education.  
• You are supervised by a professional.  
• Expenses are reimbursed.  
• Social gatherings or outings with other volunteers from VluchtelingenWerk.  
• High level of involvement of other organizations and the Municipality in this pilot.  

1. Interested?  

The work of a volunteer participation coach is an unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss. Are you interested in getting involved in this important work? Even if you still have doubts about some of the points above.  

Have you ever come to the Netherlands as a migrant or refugee? Do you know what it is like to rebuild a life in the Netherlands? We are looking for you too!!!  

Do you also speak English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, or Somali? Then we would be very happy! Please sign up! We can then discuss further what you could do.  

If you find the project interesting but lack the time or ambition for the position of participation coach, you can also join the EVEN MEE volunteer flex pool . As an on-call worker, you are available ad-hoc for participation coaches via a Signal group.  

You can sign up without obligation with Annet: atimmerman@vluchtelingenwerk.nl. Then we can look together at what a suitable role might be for you!