HostNation UK
Refugee Befriending Coordinator
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Our organisation
HostNation is a small charity with a simple mission: to find friends for refugees and asylum seekers. We connect socially isolated refugees and asylum seekers with friendly local volunteers, creating meaningful friendships that help people feel less lonely, explore their city and build a sense of belonging.
We operate across Greater London, Greater Manchester and Tyneside. Since we began in 2017, we have created more than 1,500 friendships, helping refugees and asylum seekers build meaningful connections and feel more at home in their communities.
Through careful matching, HostNation offers refugees positive experiences of city life and relaxed spaces to practise English. The charity provides an informal yet structured way for residents to reach out to lonely refugees and help them participate in local life and culture.
Role description
We have been awarded special funding to employ someone who has come to the UK as a refugee.
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This is a part time (approx 2 days pw), mostly offsite role based in London.
You must have been granted leave to remain and have the right to work in the UK.
We are seeking a Befriending Coordinator to join our small and friendly team and help us create more transformational friendships. Your own history can bring valuable insight to the role and help you build trust with the people we support.
You’ll help asylum seekers & refugees find a local friend from our volunteer pool and support both sides as they begin their friendship. You’ll reach also out directly to refugees in need of social connection and encourage them to self-refer to us.
Skills needed
- Excellent written and spoken English (Advanced/C1 level or equivalent).
- Confident at working independently.
- Motivated, patient and persistent.
- Highly organised around detail and systems.
- Strong written and verbal skills.
- Confidence working in a digital environment, with database software, Whatsapp & email.
- Open, approachable and empathetic; able to communicate sensitively with people from vulnerable backgrounds and from different cultures.
- Awareness of the UK refugee and asylum context and a strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and anti-discriminatory practice. Knowledge of safeguarding, confidentiality, and ethical practice in community or charity settings.
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Key responsibilities
- Interviewing refugees & asylum seekers.
- Identifying and helping to train suitable befrienders.
- Conducting introductions.
- Supporting matches for the first three months: checking in, offering guidance and evaluating outcomes at key stages.
- Attending occasional social events and helping create a welcoming experience.
- Maintaining good relationships with our refugee referral partners.
- Outreach to refugee communities to encourage self-referrals.
- Maintaining database in good order.
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