Asees's story

"I’m Asees, a first-year law LLB student at the University of Nottingham. I found and applied for a summer placement at Refugee Roots through the Widening Participation scheme run by the University of Nottingham. Having settled into my degree, in March I was keen to gain more work experience and transferable skills. Out of a range of local businesses in Nottingham, I chose to apply for Refugee Roots because it would develop my skills and experience while making a positive impact in Nottingham’s community. It was the right fit for me given my interest in the treatment of refugees and my desire to make a difference.

"After a successful interview, I got the role and have been involved in a number of diverse projects since. I’ve had the chance to help teach participants English in a women’s group, and classes in other venues across Nottingham. I was anxious to start, however this was dispelled because of the welcoming environment and sense of community in the classes, and having conversations with participants and other volunteers was very rewarding and enjoyable. I also helped in Nottingham Refugee Week. Helping to run stalls at multiple events enabled me to interact with other local charities and learn about what they do in order to create community in Nottingham, all while developing my confidence. 

"Alongside some admin work, I even had the opportunity to help set up an art exhibition displaying the art created by participants, an activity I had not considered before but really enjoyed, giving me the chance to learn more about myself. Refugee Roots’ Access Art classes and creative cafe with Nottingham Playhouse mean that there are many effective outlets for creativity and community building, which participants often show appreciation for. During Refugee Week, I got to help with the ‘Cooking and Eating Together' Event and performance evening at Nottingham Playhouse where participants performed poetry they’d been preparing for seven weeks.

"I would not have been able to make the most of this placement if not for the staff’s support. There was a preliminary induction day, where we learnt the charity’s values and were trained on how to engage in the activities we’d be involved in. This was incredibly helpful when getting started, coupled with a breakdown of all three weeks’ activities which massively eased any anxieties I had. Staff were always willing to talk about their role and give guidance where needed, always checking in which made the placement all the more enjoyable and a better learning experience.

"My advice to anyone considering a placement with Refugee Roots would be to just go for it and approach it with an open mind and enthusiasm because I’ve had the opportunity to do all sorts of work, developing my skills as well as learning more about myself. A placement with Refugee Roots is also unique in that I could see the impact of my work right before me, which made the whole experience even more rewarding.

"I’ve had a wonderful time and will definitely be back to volunteer!"