Tandempartner - Supporting people in their arrival

Start with a Friend e.V. (SwaF) is a non-profit association with 27 locations in Germany. Our vision is a society that lives its diversity. All people feel comfortable and have an equal say in shaping it. To achieve this, we create personal encounters between people with and without an immigration history: through 1:1 tandem partnerships, encounters in associations, diverse community events and a joint commitment.

Your Tasks

Would you like to support people in their arrival as a tandem partner? Our tandems are diverse. Just like the people who join us. We place people individually and according to their needs. Many people are currently in urgent need of support in their arrival. This applies above all to the first steps. Such as bureaucracy, accommodation, childcare, migration counseling, psychosocial support and employment. Trustworthy contact persons are particularly important here. They can stand by people. They can refer to help systems and accompany them there.

We stand by our tandems: as contact persons for questions and through our many different events.

Just register on our website for an information evening and learn more about SwaF: https://www.start-with-a-friend.de/mitmachen or write us a message here via vostel.de if you're interested. 

What's needed

It is especially helpful if you speak one of the following languages:

• English
• Ukrainian
• Russian
• Arabic
• Persian
• Turkish

What is important to us: Our offer applies to all people who immigrate to Germany and seek protection here. We are in solidarity with all people. We firmly reject any hierarchization of refugees.

Time required

A tandem is accompanied by us for the duration of 6 months. 

This project is location independent.

Start with a Friend connects immigrants and locals in tandems based on interests and needs. Ideally, a friendship develops out of this, but in any case, a social network is created that makes it easier for immigrants to have a good start in Germany. Start with a Friend accompanies and advises the tandems after the matching and organises events to bring the tandems into contact with each other. It is also important to us to create structures in which people can get involved, even if they are tied up in their work and family life. The time schedule is therefore flexible; further training courses are offered but are optional. So far, Start with a Friend is available in 21 cities nationwide.