The Side by Side-project provides support to those who have experienced racism. As a volunteer in the project, you will guide discussions in peer groups whose objective is to offer safer spaces for sharing personal experience while exchanging tools and know-how on coping skills and combating racism. The groups are closed and meet at least six times during the season. The groups are facilitated in pairs.
Requirements for peer facilitators:
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) or first hand experience of racism
- Interest in antiracist work and commitment to the principles of antiracism and equality
- Balanced life situation and readiness to help others
We value:
- Language skills (e.g., English, Arabic, Somali, Farsi, Dari, Kurdish, Hindi, Tagalog)
- Experience in participating in peer groups, facilitating groups, or volunteer activities
Please note:
- The training will be conducted in English.
- The training is two-part and requires participation on both days.
- We will conduct interviews with those interested in becoming peer facilitators after the training.
- Additionally, a planning meeting for the groups will be organized after the training.
- The training is intended for volunteers who can facilitate peer groups during the autumn of 2025
The training will provide you with the necessary information to act as a volunteer peer facilitator. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the activities of the Finnish Refugee Council and MIELI ry, as well as meet other volunteers. A certificate of participation will be issued.
We offer volunteers support, tools, and materials for facilitating peer groups, as well as the opportunity to participate in joint reflection discussions. We also organize regular recreational activities and additional training for volunteers.
Training objectives:
· Increase your understanding of the impacts of immigration and racism on mental health.
· Provide tools for addressing the effects of racism.
· Strengthen your competence in equality and your anti-racist approach.
· Enable you to utilize interaction and group facilitation skills discussed during the training.
· Help you analyze the role of the facilitator.
· Equip you to plan, facilitate, and evaluate peer groups.
Registration will close on 25.8.2025. You will receive confirmation of your participation in the training. At the same time, we will send you instructions for arrival and a detailed program.
The training will be held at MIELI ry’s office located at Maistraatinportti 4 A, 00240 Helsinki.
For more information contact:
Anne-Mari Ikonen-Hussain, anti-racism and volunteer activities (Finnish Refugee Council)
anne-mari.ikonen-hussain@pakolaisapu.fi, tel. 044 768 9604
Melis Ari-Gurhanli, anti-racism and mental health (MIELI ry),
melis.ari@mieli.fi, tel. 040 186 8122
The Side by Side- project is co-funded by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
