Since IRMO started, volunteers have been at the heart of our work. In the 80s, IRMO was a volunteer-led women’s committee that stepped up to establish Saturday schools for children and support others in navigating the local welfare and legal systems. As the organisation evolved, this foundational spirit of volunteering continued. Up to this day, as IRMO operates with a staff of less than 30 people, the organisation relies on the dedication of 63 volunteers and a board of trustees included to support +4,000 people each year.
Volunteers are vital to delivering IRMO’s services, which include, but are not limited to: teaching English classes, providing advice on immigration, housing or welfare and benefits, and campaigning for systemic change. Ultimately, IRMO’s four-decade legacy would simply not be possible without the immense time, dedication and heart contributed by our volunteers.
To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we asked some of our team members to share a moment that reminded them why their volunteering at IRMO matters. Here is what they said:
In your own words: What makes you feel this volunteering work matters?
- Celia (EU Settlement Immigration Advisor, volunteering for 5 years)
“The day I heard the news that a young service user of ours had been granted permanent residence based on my application work. He had been refused six times and was giving up hope that he would ever be allowed to live and work in the country that had been his home for 15 years, since he was 8 years old”
- Diana (Community Support Volunteer, volunteering for 8 months)
“When I first started, I met a family with a young child going through a severe crisis. Our team put immense effort into supporting them. Weeks later, I saw them again. Their son was enjoying our children’s activities, and the parents were thriving in London. Seeing that transformation firsthand completely confirmed that I was in the right place to help my community”.
- Ellen (Community Interpreter & Education Caseworker Assistant, volunteering for 6 months)
“What comes to mind is the relief and joy on people’s faces when we have helped them. We can make the difference between a dark day and a happy one for service users, which really matters, especially if they are in a vulnerable position. Knowing that they find relief in our service feels very special”.
- Alejandro (Job Brokerage Assistant, volunteering for more than 1 year)
“Every time I talk to my supervisor, I’m reminded why this job is so important… What I value most are the words and lessons I take away from the people at IRMO. Phrases like ‘If we don’t know, we learn,’ and ‘In London, you learn to do it all’ have stayed with me because they helped me understand that even if something doesn’t work out one way, there are always many other possibilities.”
The full-circle journey: From volunteers to staff
At IRMO, volunteering isn’t just a temporary role. On the contrary, in many cases, it is often the beginning of a transformative long-term journey. In fact, many members of our current staff team originally started exactly where our volunteers are today.
Some of them shared how volunteering shaped their paths and helped them build careers right here at IRMO. These have been their experiences:
- Marcela (Welfare Trainee Adviser)
“I volunteered for a year in the welcome area. I originally planned to stay for just a month, but it turned out to be such a gratifying experience. I met people who became genuine friends, and I got to experience what a healthy work environment feels like. Volunteering at IRMO also changed my experience as a migrant in London in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It gave me a real sense of belonging and helped me integrate far more than I ever imagined.”
- Paola (Finance and Operations Officer):
“I volunteered as an Education Assistant. I had just arrived in the UK during the pandemic, a time when everything felt uncertain and new. When I applied and was selected as a volunteer, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. It gave me the opportunity to gain my first work experience in the UK, build confidence, and feel part of a supportive community. Today, being part of the IRMO team feels like a natural continuation of that journey.”
- Shirley (Community Support Lead):
“As a volunteer at IRMO, I supported both the Welcome Area and the Immigration Team. Volunteering made me feel supported by an excellent team. The experience and knowledge I gained in both teams built my confidence, strengthened my commitment to our community, and ultimately shaped my path toward joining the staff team and taking on more senior roles within the organisation”.
Inspired to make a difference?
Our volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing their unique skills, languages, and empathy to support the Latin American community in London. Whether you want to turn someone’s dark day into a happy one, find a sense of belonging in a new city, or completely reshape your career path like our staff members did, we would love to have you.
Click here to explore our current volunteer opportunities and join us at IRMO!
