Open Door North East is a Christian charity based in Middlesbrough (but working across Teesside) whose mission is to relieve destitution and poverty while empowering and providing opportunities for those seeking sanctuary in the UK. This is achieved through providing practical support, housing, information, advice and guidance as well as signposting to other service providers.

The charity is recruiting for a Refugee and Asylum Support Worker as part of The Ariadne Project, a partnership between Open Door North East, British Red Cross, MAP Middlesbrough and Justice First, and funded by the Big Lottery for 4 years. This post is part funded through the Ariadne Project.

This is a part-time post (20 hours per week) and the closing date for applications is Thursday 25th May (12:00 noon). Interviews will either take place on Tuesday 30th or Wednesday 31st  May.

For more details read on, or speak to Paul Catterall on 01642 213634 (Monday to Thursday).

The post holder: 

  • You will be part of a team providing support, information, advice and guidance to both refugees and asylum seekers on Teesside.
  • You will have a particular focus on Stockton where you will meet clients and assist them in accessing services provided by both statutory and other voluntary sector providers.
  • You will provide “Move On” support to new refugees including registering clients for approprite benefits, registering with JobCentrePlus and accessing housing options.
  • You will help refugee clients to access employment and training.
  • You will register asylum seekers for Open Door’s asylum support project and assist them with accessing other local support services .
  • You will have a good cross cultural awareness; plus knowledge, experience (or lived experience) of both the UK asylum and benefit systems; and the issues faced by those seeking sanctuary in the UK.
  • You will have excellent organisational, communication and administration skills and be able to work both independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
  • You will take pride in your work and have a professional approach in all that you do.
  • You will be supportive of the Christian ethos of the organisation (but this does not mean that you need to be a practising Christian).

For an application form please email [email protected] and get in touch with the charity with any questions about the post.