Evening volunteers sheltering undocumented asylum seekers

In the Weerdsingel shelter, we receive a maximum of 20 vulnerable women and men who are not lawfully residing in the Netherlands. This concerns, for example, asylum seekers whose asylum applications have been rejected and illegal labor migrants who are not entitled to reception by the central government. This group is also known as the 'undocumented'. We take care of the most vulnerable of this group.

We receive these people from the idea that 'nobody belongs on the street'. However, the Weerdsingel shelter does not offer permanent shelter. We offer people a safe place to recuperate and relax. We give them the opportunity to find a permanent place themselves or with a care provider elsewhere and to work specifically on a solution for their situation, in the Netherlands or in the country of origin.

The Weerdsingel shelter can only exist thanks to the efforts of volunteers. There are only a few paid employees: a team leader and four activating supervisors who only work during the day. Volunteers work in the evening shift or sleep shift (see vacancy sleep watch for undocumented asylum seekers).

You work an evening shift together with a fellow volunteer. The service lasts from 7 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. You start at 19.00 with a transfer with the activating supervisor on duty. How the evening proceeds is largely up to your own input. You are free to play a game with residents, watch a movie or football, have a chat, practice Dutch/English, etc. You will have to dare to show initiative yourself. In the meantime, you open the front door for residents and welcome them 'home', making sure you know who is in the house in the evening and at night.

The duties of the volunteers are:

• Receive residents who come in from 7 p.m.
• Keeping the attendance list
• Making new residents feel welcome at the Weerdsingel location
• Supervise and ensure a pleasant atmosphere in the house
• Developing and carrying out fun activities with the residents
• Supervise and cooperate in keeping the property clean, addressing residents if they do not clean up their own mess/dishes.
• Inform residents about their rights and obligations in Utrecht and the Netherlands.
• Helping with small practical questions from the residents (repair a bicycle together, help with a route to an appointment or other small questions)

We are looking for people who:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Stand strong in their shoes
• Keeping a cool head when needed
• Good communication skills (Speaking different languages is a plus)
• Focus on collaboration
• Don't shy away from responsibilities
• Want to mean something to homeless people without valid papers
• Willing to play at least 1 evening every two weeks, if more please!

If you are interested or for more information, please contact Marleen Busscher via the button below.