Northern Settlement Services (NSS) and Armidale Sanctuary have the following volunteering opportunities for working with the current Ezidi families from refugee backgrounds.
- Armidale EAL/D Homework Centre (NSS) – is open to English as an Additional Language students from any of the public primary and high schools in Armidale and operates on a Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 – 4:45. It is hosted by Drummond Memorial Public School (MPS) in the school library. You would work with one or two children, assisting with their homework or with language activities supplied by the coordinator.
- Home Reading Program (Armidale Sanctuary) – involves listening to children read their graded readers in their own home and following up any language activities provided by schools and the children’s EAL/D teachers. Volunteers go to the home in pairs at a time that suits both the family and the volunteer.
- Transporting (Both NSS and Armidale Sanctuary ) – NSS is looking for volunteers to drive a child with a parent to and from Homework Centre at Drummond MPS on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, with some volunteer drivers choosing to stay and volunteer at the Homework Centre (through NSS). Armidale Sanctuary requires more volunteers to provide transport or to accompany people to medical appointments, in Armidale, Tamworth or Newcastle on an ad hoc basis. Volunteers are also sought to provide help with driving practice.
- Visiting families If you would like to be a regular visitor to a family or help a young person practice their English or generally provide some company there are opportunities to pair you up with an individual or family.
- English Conversation There is a regular informal gathering of Ezidis and volunteers at the French Patisserie in Taylor Street between 2-4pm Sundays. This is a good opportunity to meet some of the Ezidi community, particularly the youth.
Please consider if one of these opportunities would fit with your available time and volunteering preference.
Volunteers in any of these roles (except the meeting at the French Patisserie) will need –
- A Working With Children Check – follow this link to apply https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-working-children-check
- A National Police Check – which NSS or Armidale Sanctuary will organize with you
For volunteering with NSS please go to the NSS website www.nsservices.com.au to express your interest. Click on the volunteer tab and then the “Apply on line” button to complete the online application. If you want to talk to someone first please contact Lance McNamara, NSS Armidale Settlement Worker on 5755 5300.
For volunteering with and membership of Armidale Sanctuary please contact – Priscilla Connor at priscilla.connor@iinet.net.au and she will send you a membership form for Armidale Sanctuary. Membership will cover public liability insurance while you are volunteering. You will be asked to attend one of the regular Code of Conduct and Cultural Awareness sessions.