What are we about?
Refugee Teaching Project (RTP) is an extremely rewarding volunteering project which supports local refugees and asylum seekers in Colchester to learn English. Our aim is to help give them essential English language skills that they can use to feel empowered and integrated in the community. RTP makes a massive positive difference to the local community and, by taking part, you will be actively helping people who were forced to leave their homes to make a life for themselves here.
You don't need any qualifications to volunteer, and the only language you must be proficient in is English (English does not need to be your first language to volunteer). Volunteering is flexible and you can attend sessions around your schedule, and as much or little as you would like (dependent on session capacity).
What will I be doing?
At our Tuesday and Thursday sessions, volunteers support a qualified teacher in small groups. While the teacher delivers the lesson, volunteers are on hand to help by practicing spoken English and supporting them with their tasks and worksheets.
At our Monday session, the volunteers lead small groups to go through their worksheets and cover the plan for that session. Each session usually involves a mixture of teaching vocab and a particular grammar point on topics that will help them in daily life, such as going to the doctors, using public transport etc. Worksheets are prepared and provided for volunteers, and there will always be a Session Leader to go to if you have questions.
Register now to find out how to book onto sessions.
Sessions will start in October 2026 and take place on:
Monday - 11.10am - 1pm
Tuesday - 10am - 12.30pm
Thursday - 10am - 12.30pm
The times listed here include travel times from and back to campus. Travel is covered and arranged by VTeam.