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Meet Garry: Supporting refugees through two essential volunteer roles

11 February, 2026StoriesNewsTagged , ,

Meet one of our amazing volunteers, Garry, a retired social worker supporting both group sessions and casework at Voices. In a recent conversation, Garry shared what drew him to this work, what a typical session looks like, and why he’s passionate about supporting refugees and asylum seekers.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a retired Social Worker Team Manager and have been working voluntarily with refugees for the last ten years, working in camps and organisations in Greece and in Calais. Now I work with Voices and with British Red Cross in supporting asylum seekers and refugees.

What made you join Voices in Exile as a volunteer?

I moved to Brighton in 2023 and wanted to continue working with refugees here, as I rotate between London and Brighton. I work with refugees because of their vulnerability and their great potential, that demands reviving after their challenging journeys.

What does a session in your role at Voices look like?

At the morning ViE Group sessions, the people may have workshops on relaxation, and English through games and conversation, but there may also be an information session on anything from welfare benefits to using a camera. In the warmer months, we may go out to local parks for the sessions or to community allotments or farms nearby to relax and enjoy being outside. We try to encourage the members to speak as much English as they can.

The volunteer role is to participate, but also to remain aware of any concerns or questions raised or indicated by people during the session. This can be very simple, such as leading someone through an application for an educational or training course, to advising on more complex issues, such as housing, if we have the knowledge. Longer and complex questions, however, may need to be passed on to case workers.

The volunteer also supports the ‘leader’ of the Group in preparing the session and in clearing up, as well as being another pair of eyes in seeing any needs during the session.

I also work as a volunteer case worker in the afternoon. This usually involves making calls to people the full-time case workers have enquiries from or need follow-up with. This, again, can be simple to complex. I may also see individuals in face-to-face appointments at the office.

Introducing Philip: A passionate new voice on our Board

11 February, 2026StoriesNewsTagged ,

We’re delighted to have recently welcomed three new trustees to the Voices in Exile Board. This month, we’re introducing Philip, who brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our mission. We caught up with him to learn more about what inspired him to join us and the expertise he brings to the role.

What attracted you to join Voices as a trustee?

I’ve been a volunteer with Voices in Exile since the summer of 2024 as an assistant on the ESOL classes. I really enjoy the experience but have also been struck by the extraordinary commitment, skill and talent of the team at Voices, so when the opportunity arose to become involved as a trustee, I was keen to explore how I could help more.

What experience or skills do you bring that are particularly relevant to Voices in Exile?

Before my retirement in 2024, I was a director of communications in the University sector, leading large communications and engagement teams at a time of change and challenge for higher education. So I have a lot of experience of delivering communications that help enhance reputation, highlight impact, engage people, protect organisations, and convey an engaging and compelling narrative. Having worked at Executive Board level at my last two universities, I also understand some of the pressures and challenges that organisations face and I wanted to bring some of this understanding to my work as a trustee.

What inspired you to join the board?

I worked in the field of migration and refugees at my last two universities. At De Montfort University Leicester, I was involved in work we did with the United Nations to deliver annual conferences on migration in New York, work which culminated in the university being appointed a Global Hub for SDG 16 for peace, justice and strong institutions.

At the University of Kent, I led our successful application to become a University of Sanctuary bringing together and enhancing the work of the university to support refugees through scholarships, outreach, research, fundraising, volunteering and much more. I wanted to continue this work in my retirement as part of the personal legacy of all this work and because these are causes I feel passionately about.

Are there any specific areas where you hope to add value?

I hope I can add value in these areas – communications, building a compelling and engaging narrative around the extraordinary work that Voices does, and around partnership building, and advocacy.

Why do you think our work is important right now?

The political climate is so challenging for the work of Voices and other organisations in this space right now, that the work becomes even more vital. There are so many reasons why we should do everything we can to ensure that refugees are able to play a full part in our national life – moral, legal, economic and cultural – but we also need to ensure that our country is a tolerant, inclusive and welcoming one for our own sakes and for those who come after us and not let ourselves and our true values become threatened and dominated by division and intolerance. Voices and other organisations in this space remind us vividly of our common humanity and of who we truly are.

Outside of your trustee role, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy music, theatre, cinema and reading. I sing in a choir and I’ve started learning tango. I keep fit by running, going to the gym and walking my gorgeous 10-year-old cockapoo called Betty.

Meet Anerley: Generalist Advice Caseworker at Voices

21 August, 2025StoriesNewsTagged , ,

This week we’re introducing Anerley, one of our dedicated Generalist Advice Caseworkers. Anerley is part of the team providing vital, day-to-day support to our clients, helping people navigate complex systems and access the rights and services they’re entitled to.

What is your name and role at Voices in Exile? 

My name is Anerley and I’m a Generalist Advice Caseworker here at Voices in Exile. I’ve been involved in the organisation for 3 years, before this I supported young adults aged 16-25 years old at The Youth Employment Hub and have managed my own caseload for over 5 years.

What does your role involve? 

My role involves casework and advocacy around housing, asylum support, welfare benefits, destitution, section 17, care act, financial inclusion, health and wellbeing, skills and development. A typical day is so varied so I’ve included what my role has looked like over the last couple weeks.

I’ve provided outreach advice in the food bank and external sessions provided by Network of International Women. This week I’ve been training new Casework Volunteers who have joined our Generalist Team. I’ve assisted clients with casework and advocacy for PIP and advice on housing decisions. I’ve referred clients to solicitors for housing and section 17 and supported them to sign legal aid documents. I’ve attended a network meeting with the No Accommodation Network (NACCOM), Temporary Accommodation Action Group Brighton and Hove, Casework Solidarity Forum in London as well as attending internal meetings with my team. I’ve supported with hardship grants to migrants, and I’ve also assisted with signing parents up to AMAZE and referrals to Hummingbird Project.

What do you enjoy most about your role at Voices in Exile? 

Connecting with people who have unbelievable resilience and supporting them to integrate into the community.

During one off advice sessions, I often feel this casework support is very limited as we provide 1-5 hours of advice and support compared to the longer-term casework where support can last several months. Nevertheless, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is referring clients to local community groups and seeing the transformation that follows. These spaces offer opportunities for peer support, advice, and genuine connection, helping clients build independence and a sense of belonging.

For instance, I supported a client who had recently claimed asylum and was experiencing severe isolation while living in an asylum hotel. I connected them with VYD CIC (a football group for people with refugee status and people seeking asylum) and the Brighton Table Tennis Club. Just a month later, they were volunteering and expressed deep gratitude for being introduced to these services. Seeing him smile felt great.

What’s something about your role or our work that you think people might not know?

There are a few things we do that people might not always be aware of. We match Migrant Support Volunteers with clients who have specific needs – for example we may set up sessions with a Migrant Support Volunteer to improve someone’s confidence with using public transport or post office. The sessions could focus on getting to know the area, practice for theory driving test, feeling nervous about accessing external support groups. We’ve had amazing feedback about the difference ViE Volunteers make in helping people feel more confident and connected to where they’re living.

We’re also active beyond our day-to-day support. We regularly present case studies and client experiences at network meetings to influence local and regional policy. We advocate for the voice of lived-experience to be centre of conversation at network meetings. Our team provides training to external organisations on how to support people with refugee status, seeking asylum and migrants with compassion and best practice. Even when we’re closed to referrals for longer-term casework, we are providing advice and support to new clients during outreach sessions. We support many people in the city living in asylum accommodation who might otherwise be left without access to help.

Meet Becca: Resettlement Caseworker at Voices in Exile

14 August, 2025StoriesNewsTagged , ,

This week, we’re getting to know Becca, one of our Resettlement Caseworkers. Becca works closely with families who have recently arrived in Brighton and Hove, helping them to settle into their new community and build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the UK.

What is your name and role at Voices in Exile?

My name is Becca and I’m a Resettlement Caseworker at Voices in Exile.

What does your role involve?

I work with people who have been resettled in Brighton and Hove. All of my clients are from Afghanistan at the moment, which is true for most of the team. We support people to access the services they need and are entitled to, so that they can live full and independent lives in the UK.

I work with around seven families and they each get 2 years of casework support, which means we often get to know them quite well. I help people to access and understand their benefits and healthcare, set up accounts and pay bills, understand their budgets and access social opportunities so they can meet new people.

Our clients also work with our dedicated ESOL and Employability Caseworkers who support them to improve their English, if they need to, and to find work.

What do you enjoy most about your role at Voices in Exile?

Seeing people build up skills and confidence as they settle into the local area is a lovely part of  my job.

Recently several of the women I work with have all started attending ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) class for the first time. For some of them it’s the first time they’ve been in a classroom and written or read in any language. Some people are unsure if they can learn English and joining a class is a huge step. They’re all doing really well and have started to use English in our appointments. It’s brilliant to see and means that they can be more empowered and independent in their daily lives.

What’s something about your role or our work that you think people might not know?

We do a lot of practical things with our clients but sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is listen and make people feel heard. Starting from scratch in a new place and culture is a long and complicated process, giving someone a safe space to say how they feel and ask questions and can be just as helpful as filling out a form.

Volunteer Story: Meet Sunny, our Comms and Social Media Volunteer

17 June, 2025NewsEventsTagged ,

To mark Volunteers’ Week 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our brilliant volunteers, Sunny, whose story was also featured on the Community Works website as part of their Volunteers’ Week series. Sunny has been volunteering with Voices for just over a year, bringing energy, creativity and a deep sense of purpose to his role as Social Media Volunteer. In this piece, Sunny shares what drives him, how he got involved with Voices in Exile, and what volunteering means to him.

“I grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, leaving in 2018 to pursue a BA in Music at the University of Sussex. Upon graduating, I took on roles in hospitality and events – then teaching music as a primary school supply teacher. I now work full time at Music in Hospitals and Care, a charity sharing the healing power of live music across care homes, hospitals, and day centres across the UK.

I’m a passionate human rights advocate with a lifelong interest in global politics and humanitarian social affairs. I enjoy volunteering with various groups, playing and writing music, and watching football. I found out about Voices in Exile by taking part in migrants rights protests in Brighton, and eventually through my mother who became Group Facilitator.

I have been working with Voices for a year now as a Social Media Volunteer, where I manage our platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn) by posting regular content and also working with other volunteers to collate content to add to our socials and brand new website. I attend community events when the opportunity comes, to take pictures, gather quotes, and meet people where I can explain the positive work we do in the community. One key aspect of being a social media volunteer is the planning that comes with it – needing to have a content schedule matched with achievable goals – of when and what to post.

One of my highlights in the last year was encouraging the charity to move away from X and onto Bluesky, following other charities in the migrant sector in their move.”

 

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, or LinkedIn to keep up with all the fantastic content that Sunny and the team share! 

Celebrating Volunteer’s Week 2025: Thank you to our volunteers!

2 June, 2025NewsEventsTagged , ,

Volunteer’s Week is a national celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. It takes place every year during the first week of June and is a chance to recognise, thank and celebrate the impact volunteers have in our communities. 

At Voices in Exile, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. During this Volunteer’s Week, we want to take a moment to celebrate and say a huge thank you to the incredible individuals who give their time, energy and compassion to support refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants across Sussex and Surrey. 

The range of roles that our volunteers take on  

Volunteers support our work in so many different ways. From working in the food bank to helping with back-office support, admin, marketing, social media and events; from teaching English and running support groups, to mentoring clients and helping with ad-hoc tasks – like putting together flatpack furniture for someone moving into a new home, or accompanying someone to a medical appointment.  

No matter how big or small the task, every act of support makes a real and positive impact. 

20 years of support from volunteers  

This year is particularly special for us, as we mark 20 years since Voices in Exile was founded. We began as a grassroots, volunteer-led organisation – created by people who saw a need and stepped in to help. Without volunteers, Voices in Exile simply wouldn’t exist. That spirit of compassion, solidarity and community still drives us today. 

The integral part that volunteers play: Team perspectives 

As Beth, our Advice and Casework Manager, shares: 

“Volunteers are a vital part of the advice team and bring different skills and experiences. They significantly increase our capacity and reach across the whole of our service and are an invaluable part of the team. We regularly receive positive feedback from people accessing our service about their experience of the support from volunteers.” 

 In our casework team, generalist volunteers play a key role in advocacy – often making a life-changing difference to individuals who may be at risk of homelessness or destitution. Anerley, another of our Caseworkers, explains: 

“Our Generalist Volunteers get involved in advocacy making significant impact to an individual. I think having another person speak with a client offers a different approach… it makes the case more holistic and feels like we cover more areas of support.” 

In our ESOL classes and support groups, volunteers help create welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can build confidence, learn and feel part of a community. As Hayat, our Group Facilitator, says: 

“The volunteers help me to create a sense of community and belonging in the groups… The group members value their presence and look forward to seeing them every week. We’re very lucky to have such dedicated individuals in the groups.” 

Colin, our Food Bank Coordinator, sees the difference volunteers make every single day: 

“I see clients arrive with a worried frown and leave with a big smile, not just because of the food we give them but because our volunteers listen to them and engage with them… They really love working with each other and support each other. I arrive on Monday morning with a smile and leave with a bigger one!” 

Our ESOL Teacher, Tilly, summed it up beautifully: 

“The ESOL classes could not run without you. Thank you all for your time, your dedication, your good humour and your compassion.” 

From everyone at Voices in Exile, thank you. You are a vital part of our team. Your kindness, dedication and belief in a more just and welcoming world makes a real difference. This Volunteer’s Week, we celebrate you and all that you do. 

Paula’s mentoring story: Could you be a Voices in Exile mentor?

2 November, 2024NewsTagged ,

Paula joined us as an Admin volunteer and has also recently acted as a mentor to Voices in Exile service users. We recently spoke to Paula to ask how her background as a GP enabled her to help refugees find work in the NHS, and what she enjoys about the mentoring experience.

Hi Paula, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a retired GP and moved to Brighton from Manchester 10 years ago. I’ve also worked in Public Health where I ran immunisation programmes and investigated outbreaks, and I used to teach at both Brighton and Sussex and Manchester medical schools.

Voices in Exile Admin Support Volunteer and Mentor, Paula

What made you join Voices in Exile?

Some of my patients in Brighton were refugees and I saw how hard it was for them. I wanted to do something useful when I retired and when I saw Voices in Exile was recruiting, it felt like a good fit. My husband and I are both children of immigrants.

What does a day in the Admin office look like?

I offered to support admin as both primary care and Public Health involve a lot of admin these days, and also my hearing isn’t great so it’s easier to do office work. Susan always finds me interesting things to do – digitising records, updating resources on the Voices website, or helping to organise events. It’s different every week! And everyone here is so supportive, it’s such a nice place to work.

Your professional career has enabled you to mentor some clients looking for employment, could you tell us more about that process?

It’s difficult for someone with a profession to change countries – even moving across the country can be difficult, as I found when I moved from Manchester. It’s even harder if you come from outside the NHS – you may have excellent knowledge of your specialty and a wealth of experience, but the recruitment process may be unfamiliar.

I have done my best to support two healthcare professionals in their search for work in the healthcare sector. They have a lot to offer and will be an asset to the NHS.

A Voices in Exile service user who recently found work after being supported by Paula said:

“Paula is very helpful and patient. When she sent me an email she sent all the details I needed and if I asked her to do anything she completed everything efficiently. With her help, I applied for a health care assistant role and got an interview and the job.”‘

Reunited in Brighton: A new start for Mohammed and Lana 

2 November, 2024NewsTagged ,

Here, Mohammed explains how support from Voices in Exile has helped him to settle in the UK since he left Sudan in 2019, and how he’s recently reunited with his wife, Lana, after 5 years apart.

A photo of Voices in Exile service user, Mohammed, volunteering at the food bank. A man stands in front of a shelf full of food smiling

“I came to the UK five years ago after fleeing conflict in my home country of Sudan. Voices in Exile have been supporting me here in Brighton.

I go to their English classes and they have helped me with applying for refugee status, getting a job, and helping me to reunite with my wife. I had to leave my wife behind in Sudan and I didn’t see her for more than five years. But she recently got her visa to come to the UK and now she is living here with me.

I volunteer in the food bank at Voices in Exile every week. I enjoy volunteering here because I can help other people in the same way that I have been helped and that makes me happy.

Everyone here is so friendly. Anytime I need help — with contacting the council, or the doctor, anything I need, I can talk to anyone here and I know they will help me.”

 

If you’d like to donate to Voices in Exile to support our food bank or the other work we do to support refugees and asylum seekers, visit our donate page.