Build A Group
USEFUL RESOURCES
RESET's guide to Forming a Group
WHAT SUPPORT CAN WE OFFER?
Training and Tools to Strengthen Your Group
At Citizens UK, we have 30 years of experience in building strong institutions. We can share our tools and experience to help you build a strong sponsorship group.
Speakers at Events
We can provide speakers and resources for recruitment events.
Community Sponsorship cannot be done alone. You will need a group of committed, locally-based people, ready to take up the challenge.
FAQS:
How many people do we need?
There is no “perfect” group size. This depends on the time and commitment of volunteers.
On average, groups have a dedicated “core team” of 8-12 people, with support from a wider network who help with fundraising, communications, leafletting, house preparations, etc.
What roles and subgroups should we have?
An example of roles includes (this is not meant as a prescriptive list):
Chair: Set agendas and lead group meetings. Hold people to account for actions. Oversee all activities. Represent the group externally.
Treasurer: Manage group finances. Set a budget. Establish and manage a group bank account.
Welcome Team Coordinator: Recruit and coordinate a team of volunteers who will support family. Organise training and schedules.
Welcome Team: A group of volunteers who welcome the family and help them to achieve their goals and become self-sufficient. Support the family to register and access local services, use public transport, go on day-trips, and join local clubs or faith institutions.
Safeguarding Team: Write safeguarding policy and procedures. Manage DBS checks and deliver safeguarding training for the Welcome Team. Respond to safeguarding issues.
Fundraising and Communications Team: Organise fundraising activities to reach £9,000 target. Run social media accounts and website. Design and distribute leaflets and posters. Speak to local press.
Interpreters: Translate the Welcome Pack and any other documents. Interpret for the family at key moments (e.g. at the airport, Job Centre appointments, counselling sessions, etc).
English Language (ESOL) Team: Provide English language classes and conversational English practice.
Education and Employment Team: Support school registration. Help the family to access relevant training. Support them to find work.
Benefits and Finance Team: Support the family to apply for benefits and accompany them to their first Job Centre appointments. Help them to budget. Advocate for the family if there are problems with benefits payments.
Accommodation Team: Find and furnish a house. Organise utilities. Main contact with landlord.
How do I reach more people?
Don’t worry if you start off small. We have seen groups that began with 3 people and quickly grew to over 100!
Putting leaflets through doors, having a stall at your local market or fete, speaking to local press, and using social media are all great ways to reach new people. We also recommend partnering with local faith and community groups, who will have a pool of willing, local people.
Holding a public launch is another great way to get people involved. We can help by inviting speakers to your event who have, or have been, welcomed through community sponsorship. Contact [email protected] to organise this.