Written by Volunteer UK sponsorship visa for up to 12 months for foreigners. you are allowed to work for 20 hours per week and study courses in the UK. a great opportunity to live in the UK which includes free accommodation, free meals, and 270 pounds per month.
L’Arche is a worldwide federation of people, with and without learning disabilities, working together for a world where all belong.
Why live in a L’Arche community?
Good question! And the answer really depends on you and your situation. Our UK assistants join us from a range of backgrounds and at varying stages in life. Some stay for a short time and move on to another career with a new outlook; some stay with L’Arche for years in different roles, having found belonging in a new way of living. Nobody leaves empty-handed.
Living in a L’Arche Community as an assistant is an intense experience that requires a big commitment. It asks you to immerse yourself in a lively community and slow down at the same time. It brings routine and the unexpected. You’ll live in an alternative, inclusive model of society whilst gaining a deep understanding of social care in the UK today. You’ll develop deep, meaningful connections with individuals, and also gain a community for life.
FAQs for Live-In Assistants
Q- Which Community will I be joining?
A- Where we can, we will place Live In Assistants in a Community of their choice. When you apply you can indicate whether you are happy to be considered for a Community where the need is greater. (We think they’re all amazing!)
Q- How long can I stay for?
A- L’Arche Communities have preference for candidates who are willing to commit to 12 months in a Community, but we are open to applications from those who are able to commit at least three months. Each Community has a different capacity, so please get in touch if you want to talk this through. If you are joining L’Arche with a Tier 5 Charity Worker Visa or via the Youth Mobility Scheme, this may determine the length of your stay. Visit our International Applicants page for more info!
Q- What is the allowance?
A- Being a Live In Assistant with L’Arche is a thrifty way to live, as you won’t need to pay for food, accommodation or bills. We provide a modest allowance as well as the potential for fully paid trips, retreats and holidays.
Q- What will my hours look like?
A- Schedules vary, but this should be considered a full-time commitment. It’s hard for us to be specific, but remember a rota includes both ‘work’ and ‘play’. Occasionally, you may be required to be on call during the night.
Q- Can I take holiday?
A- Of course! Live In Assistants can take 28 holiday days in a 12 month period.
Q- Do I need to have experience?
A- No. Above all, we want applicants who are willing to get stuck in with Community life. We will provide the training you need.
Q- Do I need to be spiritual?
A- Not at all. L’Arche is committed to supporting the chosen spirituality of our friends with Learning Disabilities. We ask to Live In Assistants to support and engage with activities that facilitate this, but do not expect them to ascribe to a faith or spiritual practice. We welcome those of all faiths and none.
Q- What happens after I’ve applied?
A- At first we will review your application and if we want to take your application further, we will ask you to send us a CV. Given you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an interview via video call.
Why move to the UK for L’Arche?
Our international assistants join us from a range of backgrounds and at varying stages in life. Living in a L’Arche Community as an assistant is an intense experience that requires a big commitment. It asks you to immerse yourself in a lively community and slow down at the same time. It brings routine and the unexpected. You’ll live in an alternative, inclusive model of society whilst gaining a deep understanding of social care in the UK today. You’ll develop deep, meaningful connections with individuals, and also gain a community for life.
As an international assistant, you will usually spend 12 months living in a community with people with and without learning disabilities. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your soft skills, deepen your spirituality and explore a new part of the world. There are two visas you can apply for if you’d like to come to the UK to join L’Arche:
Tier 5 Charity Worker Visa – Youth Mobility Scheme
Youth Mobility Scheme visa
Overview
You can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa if you:
- want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years
- are aged 18 to 30
- have £2,530 in savings
- have certain types of British Nationality or are from certain countries or territories
- meet the other eligibility requirements
This visa has replaced the Youth Mobility Scheme visa (T5).
Eligibility
You can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa if you’re aged 18 to 30 and you’re from:
- Australia
- Canada
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- San Marino
- Iceland
You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa if you’re from:
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
- Taiwan
You must also be aged 18 to 30 on the date you apply for your visa.
You can also apply if you’re 18 to 30 and a:
You cannot apply if you have:
- children under the age of 18 who live with you
- children you’re financially responsible for
- already been in the UK under the scheme
Money to support yourself
You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
Tire 5 – Charity Worker visa
How long does it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.
How much does it cost
You, your partner, or children will each need to:
- pay the application fee
- pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £624 per year – you can check how much you’ll have to pay
- prove you have enough personal savings – check how much in the eligibility requirements
Application fee
The application fee for each person applying is £259.
The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.
How long you can stay
You can stay for up to 12 months or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- study – for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate
- work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
- do a second job in the same sector at the same level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week
- do a job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week
- bring your partner and children with you, if they’re eligible
You cannot:
- receive any payment for work
- take a permanent job
- get public funds
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa you must:
- have a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor
- have enough money to support yourself in the UK – you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)
- be 18 or over when you apply
Certificate of sponsorship
A certificate of sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about the job you will do and your personal details. It is not a certificate or paper document.
Your sponsor will give you the certificate of sponsorship.
Your sponsor must also give you the information they used on your certificate about your job, for example your working hours.
Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship.
Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you.
Money to support yourself
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:
- you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
- your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270
Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.
Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.
If your employer can support you instead
Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.
Role Description
_Role_description_-_ps_-_IM_-_live-in_assistantOur Recommendation to get approved for sponsorship and visa
- Prepare a CV showing that you have a passion for volunteer work and mention if you have participated in local volunteer organizations in your country or abroad.
- Attach photos, videos, or testimonials about your previous volunteer campaigns.
- If you work with people with special needs, attach proof of that.
- To ensure that you get approval, it is recommended that you show them that you are ready to work for 12 months.
- You must have a good knowledge of the English language to help you communicate well. “There is no requirement for language certificates.”.
Advantages
- Live in England for 12 months legally.
- Develop your travel history that will support you in the future to obtain a visa again, whether to England or other countries.
- An opportunity to learn some courses and obtain certificates that will benefit you in developing your career path.
- An opportunity to work 20 hours a week “10 EGP per hour as a minimum”, which allows you to work at least 200 EGP per week.
- An opportunity to build a good relationship with the organization and continue to volunteer every year.
- An opportunity to gain international experience in volunteering, which qualifies you to volunteer in various countries of the world in the future.
Disadvantages
- You cannot obtain permanent residence in England even if you have continued to volunteer for five years.
- You cannot get a contract job in England.
- You cannot stay for more than 12 months as a maximum, as you must leave and reapply.