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What it means to be a HostNation "host" or friend: "It's a two-way thing and we are equals," as one befriender says. "We both get a lot out of it – we have a genuine friendship."At HostNation we offer you a simple and informal way to reach out 1:1 to a refugee or asylum seeker and introduce them to your city, your culture and your favourite activities
Volunteers need goodwill towards asylum seekers and refugees. They need to be empathetic, kind, sensitive and open minded with the ability to listen and help support their refugee friend's English conversational skills. They should love London and be keen to introduce their refugee friend to the city and all it has to offer. They also need to be reliable and committed to meeting regularly.
Befrienders describe it as highly rewarding. They get to meet someone they wouldnt otherwise meet. It is culturally eye-opening, enriching and they often make a new long-term friendship.
Time commitment: We ask befrienders once matched, to meet once a week - whenever is convenient - for a few hours (2-4 hrs) and to have regular phone contact for at least 3 months. Meet ups are flexible and up to you, they can be during the school/work day, after work (evening) or at the weekend.
