Red Cross Buddies

In the Red Cross Buddies programme we connect volunteers and immigrants or refugees on a 1-1 basis. The purpose is to support immigrants and refugees to thrive and feel at home in the Faroe Islands.

What is a Red Cross Buddy?

Are you new in the Faroes and would like help to familiarize yourself with Faroese customs? Or do you come from a different background and find it challenging to become a part of Faroese society? Would you like someone to practise Faroese with?

The Faroe Islands Red Cross can help you connect with a family or a friend through the Red Cross Buddies programme.

We know that it can be difficult to make everyday life work when everything is new. How do you enrol your kids in the local football club? Do you understand the letters from the authorities that are written in Faroese, or maybe in Danish? How does the bus timetable work? In your native country, you probably had someone to ask for advice, but do you have someone in the Faroes who can help you and your family?

The idea behind Red Cross Buddies is that a volunteer Faroese family or individual can support you and your family to better understand the Faroese society, practice the Faroese language and by doing so, you will hopefully sooner feel at home and thrive in the Faroe Islands.

Good ideas for activities

Practice the Faroese language, for example, help with homework.
Watch Faroese television and listen to the radio.
Read magazines and books.
Help understand letters from the authorities.
Go for a walk and talk about the local area.
Talk about each other’s culture and traditions.
Go to leisure-time activities, cultural events or concerts.
Talk about everyday challenges and situations.
Shop, cook and eat together.
Form a “bindiklubb” or a similar club activity.
Go on trips, for example, to a museum, a library, a historical site or a walk around the town.
Get a coffee and have a chat.
Play games or watch films.

Read more about the Red Cross Buddy programme by clicking the button “Download brochure” below.

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

Volunteer as a Red Cross Buddy

As an immigrant or refugee in the Faroe Islands, it can be difficult to thrive and become an active part of society and the communities that connect us—whether at the workplace, in school, or in leisure activities.

That is why there is a need for volunteers like you. You can support an immigrant or an immigrant family with various everyday challenges and help open doors to new social connections that can improve their well-being and sense of belonging. Your presence and companionship—as well as your network, your experiences, and your knowledge of society, Faroese traditions, and rules—are invaluable to an immigrant.

As a Red Cross Friend, you therefore become an important social connection for a person or family from another country who may lack a Faroese network or who are adjusting to a new life in the Faroe Islands.

Your role as a volunteer
Your main role as a volunteer friend is to provide good companionship and support. The purpose is to offer human care and to support a friend or a host family on a voluntary basis.

Even though it is not necessarily a friendship from day one, the initiative is built on the idea of friendship—along with the intention that the relationship should be as equal as possible.

Think of this relationship as you would with other friends and acquaintances, where you decide together what to do and perhaps take turns hosting. Fundamentally, it is about trying to understand and acknowledge each other, as no one likes to feel uncomfortable or treated differently.

As a volunteer, you have a very special role. You are there to get to know another person and help them without receiving payment. This kind of relationship builds trust in a way that cannot be compared to relationships immigrants may have with authorities.

What do you gain from being a volunteer friend or host family?
Most people experience the joy of helping others, but volunteering is not only about giving. As a volunteer, you also have the opportunity to get to know someone from a different cultural background, which can enrich your life and give you new perspectives.

You may gain insight into another language, another culture, and another way of life. You might be the lucky guest at a delicious dinner, or help prepare dishes you have never tried before. You may also discover that you are not as different as you might have thought.

How much time do you need to commit?
You decide together how often you meet and what you do. What matters is the time spent together and the support you provide. And remember, the best help is help for self-help, as it strengthens the independence and confidence of the friend or family.

It is recommended that you discuss early on how often you would like to meet. Many meet between two and four times per month, but this is up to you. Listen to the other person’s wishes and be realistic about how much time you have. Keep in mind that your friend may also have a busy everyday life.

What is expected of you?
You help with what you are able and willing to do, based on the needs and wishes of your friend or host family.

There is nothing you must do, and you do not need to have knowledge about laws, rights and obligations, or public systems. You should not take on the role of an authority, and it is not your responsibility to solve all the person’s challenges. However, you are welcome to help with things you would normally do for your own friends or family. Just remember that you are there as a fellow human being, not as a professional.

It is, however, expected that you support your friend in managing their challenges themselves. You are there to support through help to self-help. Try to solve problems with the immigrant, not for them. This can be difficult, as it often takes more time—but in the long run, it works better for both parties.

Ideas for what you can do when you meet

Practice the Faroese language, for example by doing homework
Watch or listen to Faroese programs
Read newspapers and books together
Go for walks and talk about the local area
Talk about your different cultures and traditions
Participate in leisure activities or events
Go hiking or fishing
Talk about everyday challenges and experiences
Cook and eat together
Start knitting groups or activity clubs
Go on trips and excursions, e.g. to museums, historical sites, around town, or shopping
Have a coffee and a chat

Volunteer as a leader

Be part of the volunteer team leaders in Red Cross Buddies

We are looking for you, who wants to lead our programme Red Cross Buddies, whose purpose is to connect locals and immigrants on a 1-1 basis across the Faroes.

You will have the opportunity to make a difference for immigrants, refugees and volunteers, in addition to developing and forming the framework for integration within the Red Cross Buddies programme.

Your tasks can be one or several of the below:

Match immigrants with volunteers.
Support volunteers in their role.
Recruit new volunteers when needed.
Develop and organise social events for participants and volunteers in the Red Cross Buddies programme.
Cooperate with municipalities and other organisations in relations to integration efforts.
Communicate the good stories and represent Red Cross Buddies.

We do not expect that you have a certain education or background. Most importantly is that you have a desire to work with people, who may not speak your language and who may have different backgrounds than yourself. In addition we expect that you can give 3-4 hours a week, can be active in your local and surrounding areas, and can participate in meetings and courses in the Headquearters in Tórshavn occasionally. As many of the materials and courses are in Faroese, Danish and English, it is important to have a sufficient level of understanding of the these languages.

We offer relevant courses, guidance and a great community.

Do you see yourself in this role? Write a few words about yourself to redcross@redcross.fo. If you have questions, you are welcome to contact Katrin on +298 286692.