Volunteers have always been central to SYRLJ's work. We wouldn't be here today without the dedication, skills and time that so many people have provided through volunteering with us over the years.
Volunteers help us to provide vital legal support to more of those to need it, whilst also bringing new skills and fresh perspectives which help us to reflect on and develop our service. In return we aim to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where our volunteers can gain skills and experience.
Our volunteers undertake a wide variety of tasks including legal research, assisting with casework, office and legal administration, and assisting at our busy drop-in advice sessions. We are looking for people with a good level of IT literacy, excellent written and spoken English and ideally some experience of working in an office environment. We do not expect volunteers to have legal knowledge or experience, but we value an interest in human rights law and a commitment to social and migrant justice.
We ask for the following from all our volunteers:
A minimum of 1 full day per week.
A minimum 6 month commitment to volunteering (we understand that circumstances might change but we ask that you don't apply if you already know you can't commit to volunteering with us for at least this length of time).
The ability to volunteer every week at our office in Sheffield City Centre - we cannot facilitate remote volunteering.
A commitment to the values and aims of our organisation (please read about these on our website).
In return we offer:
The opportunity to get hands on experience of legal casework.
The chance to contribute to securing positive outcomes for our clients, changing lives and preventing human rights abuses.
Access to a wide range of legal and migrant justice related professional training.
The opportunity to become a qualified IAA (formerly OISC) adviser.
Qualifying Work Experience under the SQE solicitor training route.
The chance to be part of a team that is committed to fighting for migrant justice.
Lunch and travel expenses (within Sheffield).
If you are interested in volunteering with us please send a C.V. and a short email about why you'd like to volunteer with us as well as what your current availability is to recruitment@syrlj.org.uk by midnight on Tuesday 3rd June 2025.
Becoming an IAA Qualified Legal Adviser
We are authorised to provide immigration legal advice and representation by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). All of our legal advisers are IAA accredited and we also support volunteers who wish to pursue these qualifications.
You can find more information about becoming an IAA legal adviser here.
Becoming a qualified Solicitor
If you have studied law and are planning to pursue a career in legal practice you may need to undertake ‘Qualifying Work Experience’ - part of the competencies required to qualify as a solicitor.
Any time you spend volunteering or working with us can be counted towards the work experience you need to become a qualified solicitor.
You can find further information about this route to qualifying as a solicitor here.
