Volunteering at The Drop-In
Volunteering at the LJS Asylum Drop-In is a hands-on way to support families seeking safety in the UK while joining a compassionate community of over 200 registered volunteers from both within and beyond The Liberal Jewish Synagogue. Our project is proudly interfaith and multi-generational, with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working side by side to create a warm, welcoming space. We are particularly grateful for our guests who have come back to the drop-in as volunteers.
Whether you’re helping serve lunch, running children’s activities, distributing essentials, or offering a friendly chat, every role is impactful. Volunteers can join us regularly, once a month, or as their schedules allow. To get involved, fill out our volunteer interest form or contact our coordinator at asylumproject@ljs.org.
Please note: Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and submit a signed parental consent form (below).
You do NOT need to be a member of the LJS or Jewish to volunteer, we are proudly an interfaith, and community-wide project.
Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday Set-Up (1–4pm) takes place the day before the drop-in and involves 20–30 volunteers. This shift focuses on transforming the LJS into a welcoming space for our guests—setting up tables and chairs, organising the children’s area, sorting clothing and toiletries, and preparing all donated supplies for distribution.
Sunday Drop-In (1–4:30pm) is the heart of our work, with 50–60 volunteers supporting families throughout the afternoon. Volunteers can choose to help in a variety of areas, including food serving, kitchen help, the cash table, registration table, welcome team, children’s section, clothing section, toiletries, baby supplies, security, referrals, or shoe distribution. After the drop-in ends, all volunteers are invited to stay for a short debrief and a shared meal.
Cook at Home: If you love to cook, you can prepare vegetarian food in advance and drop it off before the drop-in to be served on Sunday. It’s a great way to contribute if you can’t make it on the day.
Behind-the-Scenes Support: If you have experience with fundraising, admin, or logistics, we’re always looking for extra help between sessions—get in touch to find out how you can get involved.
Getting Started as a Volunteer
We’ve kept the process simple:
- Fill out our volunteer contact form or email us.
- We’ll arrange a short induction call so we can get to know you and answer any questions.
- You’ll complete some quick paperwork.
- We’ll carry out a free Enhanced DBS check through the LJS (takes 2-5 working days).
- Once that’s complete, you’ll be invited to join your first drop-in and receive on-site training.
- No time commitment required, we just ask that you RSVP each month with the link emailed one week before each drop-in.
LJS Drop-In Asylum Project 