Khairul’s Story – Volunteers’ Week 2025
For Volunteers’ Week, we spoke to Khairul, who volunteers with Scottish Refugee Council, about his volunteering journey.
Can you tell us about your volunteering role?
I joined the Scottish Refugee Council in October last year and my responsibility is basically assisting asylum seekers or refugees when they first arrive in Scotland.
On a daily basis, it’s mostly helping to register them to GP, a dentist, finding accommodation id they don’t have any, and registering them to ESOL classes if they need to learn English.
I also signpost and refer them to other charity organisations – for example, food or clothing banks, and also offering ideas for community clubs. For example, if they like football, or basketball, or cycling. Just to make them more welcome and integrated in their community.
Why did you want to get involved with volunteering?
First of all, I study political migration, so I’m really interested in this field.
I want to know more about people, about their conditions and circumstances, because I believe it’s not easy for them to leave their own countries.
Basically, I want to contribute because they’re in conditions that aren’t ideal. So I think, if I can do something for them, it will be rewarding for me as well.
Why I wanted to get involved in this organisation (Scottish Refugee Council), was because it not only helps other people, but I think it also helps me. I’ve developed many skills like communications skills, improving my empathy and understanding of different backgrounds. It’s very rewarding to me.
What’s your favorite thing about volunteering?
I like meeting different people every day. Of course, they don’t always have a good story, but that helps me reflect. Many people are not as fortunate as I am. It makes me more grateful.
I love all of the team. They really helped me to develop there. I’m from Indonesia and we have a very different culture – this was like my first experience of the work environment in the UK, especially in Scotland.
I learn every day and that’s what I love. I never get bored with that.
What are the benefits of volunteering for yourself and for the communities that you support?
As I mentioned before, I developed a lot. I learned many, many things – interpersonal skills, communication skills, empathy, and working as a team. I got to practise my English, too. For the community, I don’t know if I can contribute a lot, but somehow I help them to access necessary things like healthcare and dentistry, and education and integrating with the community. So I feel a little bit helpful. It’s a very, very nice feeling. That’s what I get from this role.
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