Each year we produce a selection of training sessions, based on what volunteers have asked us for in our Annual Volunteer Survey
We have 5 sessions planned for 2019. Please book yourselves on these courses.
We extend our offer of training to anyone volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers, so if you fancy coming along, please email [email protected], telling us who you are, and where you volunteer and we’ll try and fit you in.
An Introduction to LASSN and the Asylum Journey – Compulsory session for LASSN volunteers only
Find our more about Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network – who we are, what we do, how we work. We’ll discuss the role of a volunteer and how volunteers are supported by LASSN.
The Asylum Journey
Whether you know nothing about the UK asylum system, or whether you’ve been through it yourself, this is a chance to look at the asylum journey.
This session will explore some of the reasons that people come here seeking safety and the varied journeys they take to get to the UK. We’ll look at the process of claiming asylum and gaining refugee status in the UK.
Many people who come here seeking safety face lots of barriers, uncertainty and a long wait. We’re not expecting you to become experts in immigration law(!) but we’ll give an overview of how the system is supposed to work, as well as some of the hardships it can cause. We’ll also help you understand some of the jargon and acronyms that might come up in conversation with your befriendee/learner/guest – who are G4S? Why do people go to Croyden? When can you make a fresh claim?
We deliver these two sessions back to back, so you complete them both in about 4 hours. Please don’t worry if these sessions look long: we’ll always make sure there’s plenty of chance for a break, and plenty of food for dinner/tea to keep you going.
Tuesday July 16th 2019, 16:30-20:30 
Wednesday July 17th 2019, 10:00-14:00
Teaching English at Home Training – for LASSN volunteers only
This is a compulsory session is for volunteers wanting to be English at Home tutors. The training will cover-
• Barriers to learning
• Creative ways to teach new vocabulary
• Planning a series of lessons
• Good resources
• What learners want
This session is very interactive and provides lots of practical advice as well as the opportunity to hear from a current learner and teacher about what makes a good lesson. Vegetarian lunch will be provided.
Tuesday July 23rd 2019, 10:00-14:00
Befriending and Mentoring Network Support Sessions – for LASSN volunteers only
An opportunity to share information and experiences. Come and meet other volunteers and support each other with challenges and celebrate successes. These events are open to all volunteers on both the Befriending and Connecting Opportunities projects.
Thursday August 8th 2019, 14:00 – 15:30
Thursday November 7th 2019, 17:30 – 19:00
Helping people who get refugee status
For volunteers who want to feel more confident about supporting people who receive leave to remain/refugee status.
This short course will enable you to
- Understand the transition between being an asylum seeker and a refugee
- Know where to find extra support for the person who has been granted refugee status
- Know where to find extra self-help resources
- How to look after yourself in the process.
It will be based on LASSN’s transitionguide.org.uk
Tuesday 13th August 2019, 18:00-20:00
Trip to a Gurdwara
There will be a welcome, talk, tour and then time for questions. The Gurdwara will also provide a vegetarian meal for all who attend from the community kitchen. Unfortunately nuts are used in the kitchen so please inform us of any allergies.