Volunteer Spotlight: James at the Centre Support Desk

Meet James, a steady presence at the Centre Support Desk

In the Asylum Seekers Centre’s main halls, there’s a desk where people seeking asylum come with all kinds of questions — about Medicare, phone vouchers, immigration documents, or just help reading a form in English. It’s a busy, dynamic space, and the people behind the desk — all volunteers — are ready for anything. They are patient, resourceful, and welcoming.

James is one of them.

He’s a positive, steady presence in the room. A social work and criminology student at UNSW, James volunteers with the Asylum Seekers Centre once a week. It’s been over a year now, and he’s never looked back.

“I thoroughly enjoy my time here every time,” he says. 

“There’s always something new for me to do or learn, which is good at building my own skill sets.”

James didn’t expect to become a regular when he first encountered the Centre — it started as a simple uni report. 

But then a friend encouraged him to volunteer.

From helping with grants for kids’ swimming lessons to immigration forms and tax returns, James has built a toolkit of practical knowledge — all while helping others.

Small things, big impact

What has surprised James most is how much difference small things can make.

“Even something like topping up a phone voucher gives someone the independence and freedom they wouldn’t have otherwise,” he explains.

“And Medicare — it makes such a big difference. But if you don’t understand English, the process isn’t designed to be easy.”

Driven by core values

Fairness is a value that drives James, but his experience at the Centre has shown him how unequal the playing field really is.

“I’ve read some of the legislation, and it’s hard even for me to understand — and I’ve grown up speaking English my whole life. I can’t imagine trying to navigate it without that!”

“I’m probably most passionate about everyone getting to start from the same place.” 

“Not just giving people the same opportunities, but building them up so they can actually take those opportunities.”

While many Australians believe in the idea of a ‘fair go,’ James sees that it doesn’t reflect reality for everyone — especially people seeking asylum.

“There’s a bit of a myth in Australia about everyone getting a fair go.” 

“It assumes we all start from the same point — but we don’t. And if you’re already behind, then just giving everyone the same thing doesn’t really help.”

For James, volunteering is one way to challenge that — one form, one conversation, one connection at a time.

Charm* and the charades

Among many memorable clients, one stands out: a woman named Charm*. 

James shares how he has been able to support and connect with her over the course of his volunteer work.

“She doesn’t speak English, but we can communicate via charades — it’s always very entertaining”.

 “She’s incredibly kind too. She always brings biscuits or other things to share. There’s no refusing Charm — she insists!”

Part of a bigger community

Originally from Queensland, James moved to Sydney in 2022. 

When he’s not at uni or volunteering, he works part-time at a restaurant, plays music, and is currently teaching himself guitar. James describes himself as a social, extroverted person — and the friendships he’s built at the Centre reflect that.

“I’ve made some close friends here. It’s always fun seeing people again.”

He was recently nominated for a youth volunteer award — a surprise honour. 

“I didn’t win, but being there and hearing what others had done was inspiring. One guy spoke 12 languages!”

For James, it’s not about awards. It’s about showing up, helping out, and doing what he can to make things fairer — person by person, week by week.

*Join James in making a difference – join our volunteer team today.