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Refugee Women’s Centre

Refugee Women’s Centre

The Refugee Women’s Centre (RWC) provides holistic support to migrant women and families living in informal outdoor settlements in Calais and Dunkirk, as well as in accommodation centres in the surrounding areas. As a women-for-women organisation, we are dedicated to creating safe spaces for women and children. Our mission is to provide the means for these individuals to live with dignity, advocate for their access to shelter, and ensure that their human rights are upheld. 

Our centre operates as a mobile unit, run entirely by volunteers—a small team of nine to fourteen volunteers, supported by remote team members and funded through donations. Our volunteers engage in a variety of activities, which may include distributing material aid, connecting people with professional services, and performing casework. 

Additionally, they run psychosocial activities, all aimed at addressing the multifaceted needs of the displaced women and families we support. 
The women and families we assist face numerous barriers to education, justice, healthcare, and other essential rights. Often living without adequate shelter, they rely on NGOs to provide the basic necessities for survival. In our work, we are guided by values of respect, collaboration, anti-oppressive practices, solidarity, and intersectional feminism. 

  • Where is it?

    Northern France - Calais and Dunkirk

  • What will I be doing?

    As a Refugee Women’s Centre volunteer you will be participating in the following activities and more: 

    • Material distributions on an individual basis including clothing, bedding, camping equipment and hygiene products.
    • Redirecting women and family units to the appropriate legal and medical services.
    • Providing information about and access to shelter.
    • Organising, running and supporting activities for women with a focus on psychosocial support and developing skills (such as arts and crafts, sports, pampering and language classes). 
    • Closely monitor the needs and concerns of the women and families, this includes supporting women and girls experiencing or having experienced sexual and gender-based violence and responding to their individual needs.
    • Human Rights Observations: recording data and testimonies of human rights abuses against refugees in northern France.
    • Taking those we support to local shower facilities.

  • What impact would I have?

    Standing in solidarity with female refugees and the wider refugee community.  Advocating for and creating long term change enabling displaced communities in northern France and beyond to exercise their right to seek safe asylum.

  • Who will I be working with?

    It is an all-female team of 9 to 14 volunteers and 3 coordinators. The working languages are English and French. 

  • Minimum age

    21 years

  • Accommodation

    You will live in one of the two RWC volunteer houses, sharing a room with another volunteer and sharing a kitchen and bathroom with your teammates. 

    Living costs are not covered by the organisation, only accommodation is provided..

  • Extra Costs

    Travel to Northern France 
    Basic foods - Meals outside volunteering hours 

  • Skills required

    • Accountancy and Finance
    • Activity Lead
    • Arts, Music & Textiles
    • Breastfeeding Support
    • Car / Truck Driver
    • Case Worker / Legal support
    • Children
    • Children’s activities
    • Community Services
    • Construction and Renovation
    • Counsellor
    • Dance Teacher
    • Doctor
    • Drama Teacher
    • Early childhood support
    • Early Childhood Teacher

  • Interested in volunteering?

    Apply here

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