Hi everyone! My name is Chloe, and recently, Cem and I decided to organise a fundraiser walk in the beautiful city of Edinburgh.  We are both volunteers within the Indigo team, and we wanted to come up with a fun and engaging way to raise funds and spread awareness about the incredible work Indigo does. And what better way to do that than with a community walk through the heart of Edinburgh? Although neither of us had ever planned a fundraising event before, we realised that it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a bit of creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm, anyone can make a diff ..read more

In today's blog post: Challenges facing our partners The Wider Context Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Capacity Limitations Funding Struggles Indigo's Impact How you can take action Edinburgh Run At Indigo Volunteers, we work closely with our 46 partners to address both short-term needs on the ground, as well as long-term needs impacting their organisation. Whilst we commonly shine a spotlight on the specific needs of our partners, such as current volunteer roles, we regularly and proactively communicate with our partners about the wider issues facing their work and the humanitaria ..read more

Corporate volunteering is the hidden gem of workplace success and employee satisfaction; don’t believe us? In a recent research programme carried out by Oxford University's Well-being Research Centre*, the effects of 90 popular workplace mental health interventions on employee well-being were documented for 46,000 employees across 233 UK-based organisations. When pitted against workplace wellness solutions - including mindfulness seminars, resilience workshops, relaxation classes coaching sessions and apps - one intervention triumphed: volunteering. However, in-person volunteering is not ..read more

Following on from our previous healthcare post , in this post we will be highlighting the incredible ways our volunteers are taking action for refugee health and well-being. From providing immediate support to empowering local communities, volunteers with our charity partners are filling gaps in the global healthcare system to provide vital support. Providing immediate support Our partners on the ground are working to address the gap in healthcare access for refugees, with Indigo’s incredible volunteers responding to the basic and urgent needs of communities on the ground.  In ,,FAST, qua ..read more

Access to healthcare is one of our basic rights and has implications that stretch beyond addressing physical problems. Having secure, reliable access to healthcare for issues ranging from trivial to serious profoundly impacts our well-being and concept of stability.  Understanding the Challenges of Migration When refugees flee their homes, face sudden displacement, or move throughout Europe, access to healthcare services is routinely disrupted. Refugees may not be able to visit healthcare providers or access medicines and supplies due to: distance, safety concerns, linguistics, policy, or ..read more

What a rollercoaster 2023 has been. This year, our work has had an incredible impact. Despite having to temporarily pause our operations this summer, we have been able to place 247 volunteers across 46 charities in Europe and Lebanon.  Beyond placing volunteers, we have remained committed to supporting our charity partners. Whether this is through responding to requests, providing resources, training opportunities or mental health support, our partners’ needs remain at the forefront of our work. .  Claire, from our fantastic partner Yoga and Sport with Refugees summed up our partner ..read more

As of the end of September 2023, Greece was home to ,169,407 refugees. These individuals come from various nations, including Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Eritrea, and many more. Among them, vulnerable groups such as minors, women, LGBTQI+ individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals face unique challenges and heightened risks. Tragic Incidents at Sea and Criticism of Greek Policies Greece has seen an alarming surge in asylum seekers, with ,25,516 arrivals since the beginning of this year. This number has already surpassed the figure from 2022, marking a distressing trend. The journey of ..read more

Today, the 5th December, is International Volunteer Day (IVD)! On this day, we want to recognise the invaluable work of volunteers around the globe, especially the work of our incredible volunteers, and take the chance to express our gratitude for the impact they have created on the lives of displaced communities. In this Article: Taking action for refugees’ health Volunteers aiding skill development Volunteers providing shelter and warmth Ensuring refugees have hot meals Providing safe spaces Supporting essential WASH services Our volunteers advocate for refugee rights This International Vo ..read more

For many of us, the winter season evokes warm memories of celebrating holidays, being surrounded by our loved ones or gathering around a cosy fire. Yet for refugees and displaced populations, winter is a season defined by harsh conditions, formidable challenges, and the struggle to survive. As of October 2023, there are approximately ,110 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Whilst the migration journey itself presents ongoing challenges, the arrival of winter adds a unique dimension to the hardships faced by displaced individuals. As we approach the most difficult season for refugees ..read more

Indigo is looking for a Tech & Systems Coordinator to join our team! Location: Remote (must be based in the EU, UK, Serbia, Bosnia, or Cyprus) Start date: January 3rd, 2024 Reporting to: CEO Hours: 12 hours a week (split across a minimum of 3 days per week) Remuneration: £11.50/hour Contract: 1-year consultancy agreement Benefits: Being part of a wonderful team and helping amazing humanitarian organisations find volunteers To apply, please fill in this application form. Deadline: December 10th, 2023 11:59pm CET ,Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis Purpose of the role As our Te ..read more