Volunteering with the CLEAR Project is more than just giving back; it’s a unique opportunity to connect with people from diverse communities and see first-hand how much impact you can have on their daily lives. Every day, our volunteers make a difference, working side by side with people who are navigating the challenges of building a new life in a different country.

The Journey from Learner to Volunteer

One of the most inspiring aspects of volunteering at CLEAR is witnessing the growth of individuals who started as learners in our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes. Many of our volunteers began their journey in our Pre-Entry courses with little or no English. Over time, they progress through the levels, from Entry 1 to Entry 3, gaining confidence and language skills. It’s a real joy to witness them evolve into teaching assistants, sharing their knowledge with new learners, or stepping into the role of caseworkers in our Advice team, using their lived experiences to uplift others.

Volunteering isn’t just about helping others; it’s also about personal growth. It boosts your confidence, helps you build new friendships, and allows you to make a real impact on society. Many young people who are struggling to gain that elusive “experience” needed for jobs find that volunteering provides them with practical, hands-on skills they can add to their CV. Skilled professionals may also want to offer their commercial expertise to causes they care about within the community, and people who have retired can bring their wealth of experience and humanity to our team, showing that they still have so much to give.

How You Can Get Involved

At CLEAR, we offer loads of ways to volunteer:

  • Join the Learning Team: You could become a teacher or teaching assistant in our English classes, helping refugees and people seeking asylum improve their language skills.
  • Join the Advice Team: Work as a caseworker, supporting people during our Refugee drop-ins or helping in a quieter, more focused environment with fewer clients.
  • Join the Social Media Team: Help spread the word about the important work we do by creating interesting content – this could be client stories, project updates, or other interesting items, helping to raise awareness and engage more people in our mission.
  • Offer your skills on an adhoc/pro bono basis: you’re busy but want to use your skills to support our work – no problem! If you have experience of brand design, copywriting, fundraising, photography, journalism, painting & decorating… then we would love to have a conversation! If you enjoy running and like raising money or have responsibility for your company’s CSR budget, then that is great as well – please get in touch.

Whatever role you choose, volunteering at CLEAR is about giving, but we also believe in giving back to our volunteers. Find out more on our Get Involved page.

Why Now?

In these challenging times, when the world can feel overwhelming and uncertain, volunteering can offer a sense of purpose and connection. It’s a reminder that, despite the chaos, there are still tangible, real ways to make a difference.