Volunteer Illustrator
We are looking for a creative and passionate volunteer illustrator to bring to life the stories of survivors, our campaigns and publications through visual artwork. You will shape the visual storytelling of complex messages across our website and social media channels, including Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. Your illustrations will play a key role in our advocacy, marketing and fundraising work.
This role is ideal for an illustrator who wants to use their artistic skills to help shape compassionate narratives about people seeking asylum and refugees, and to support human rights and trauma-informed advocacy.
MAIN TASKS AND ACTIVITIES
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Create 20 original illustrations to be used for various purposes such as the charity’s social media posts, reports, campaigns and marketing. In interview, Communications Manager will share example of preferred style of images and will discuss with illustrator what their timescales/time commitment could be for completion. The illustrator can work remotely and the agreed time commitment for them can be discussed and agreed with the Communications Manager.
 
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The creative artworks must align with Helen Bamber Foundation and Asylum Aid’s tone, branding, and trauma-informed approach.
 
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Help translate complex policies, personal stories and abstract concepts (such as trauma, recovery or community) into thoughtful and engaging imagery in the illustrations.
 
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Contribute creative ideas on how the artworks can be used across our online platforms.
 
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Conduct one or two workshops with our Ambassadors for Change, a group of survivors with lived experience of asylum system, to help them develop visuals that support their campaigns.
 
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Ensure all artwork respects the dignity and privacy of survivors and adheres to ethical storytelling and safeguarding principles.
 
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED
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Strong illustration skills and with an excellent understanding of visual storytelling.
 
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Experience of using digital illustration tools (e.g., Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or similar) are essential.
 
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Ability to work collaboratively, interpret briefs and respond constructively to feedback.
 
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Understanding of inclusive and ethical design practices and demonstrate sensitivity when representing trauma and human rights issues.
 
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Understanding of, and commitment to, the objectives of the Helen Bamber Foundation and Asylum Aid.
 
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Demonstrable empathy for our clients, including people seeking asylum, refugees and survivors of torture and trafficking, and sensitivity when working on topics related to human rights, trauma, or lived experience.
 
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Organised, dependable, and proactive in meeting deadlines.
 
HOW TO APPLY
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To apply please send us a CV along with a short cover letter (max 300 words) about why you would like to volunteer as an illustrator with us.
 
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A link or PDF portfolio with samples of your work.
 
We will be conducting interviews for this role on a rolling basis so please apply early.
If you have any questions or wish to have a chat about the role, please contact the Communications Manager, Kennith Rosario at kennith.rosario@helenbamber.org
Equal Opportunities
Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer. We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that all our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.
We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma.
Download full job description here.