Ever wondered what it’s like to befriend a young refugee? Earlier in 2025, we were delighted to sit down with Carrie Supple, a long-standing human rights activist and supporter of refugee rights, to discuss her experiences of volunteering on our JUMP programme. Now, to celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2025, we’re sharing Carrie’s expertise and learning.
“The idea of supporting a young asylum seeker just felt really important.”
When we spoke to Carrie, it had been a few months since she and her young person had ‘graduated’ from JUMP. But the pair continue to meet independently as friends – and the lasting strength of their bond is clear to see.
Looking back, Carrie admits that she had some slight nerves before the first meet-up – something she hadn’t been expecting. “I do remember just before meeting, sort of worrying: what if we don’t get on, or it doesn’t work?” It didn’t take long for the trepidation to disappear, though. “As soon as I met [young person] that all went.”
Carrie’s motivations for getting involved were varied. For a start, she’s been involved with HIAS+JCORE for a number of years, with her status as “the granddaughter of a Jewish refugee to this country from Russia [being] such a strong part of my identity” and playing a key role. The one-to-one nature of JUMP’s volunteering – something she has always loved, from working with young prisoners to older people in care – was also well suited.
“We always had lots and lots to talk about.”
The activities JUMP pairs get up to on their fortnightly meet-ups are usually led by the young-person, and it was no different in Carrie’s case. “I enjoyed everything we chose to do… the range of things we saw together in London, whether it was the British Museum or St Paul’s Cathedral, or the lights at Christmas and the bookshop we went to… there is always a trigger for good conversation.”
The opportunity to discuss different cultures, backgrounds, and parts of the world was mutually appreciated. Carrie shares: “When we went to the British Museum we visited the antiquities section and there’s a map of the part of the world [young person] comes from – and because [young person] is really interested in the world it lent itself to really good discussion.”
“It was interesting to talk about the faith and cultural sides of our life.”
Perhaps one of the lesser-seen benefits of JUMP is its ability to bring together people from very different backgrounds. But amidst an increasingly divided and polarised world, this aspect is hugely important.
Carrie explained that she learned a huge amount about her young person’s culture – and in return, was able to introduce her own Jewish culture and heritage.
“One of the things we did since leaving the project is [young person] came to my family for Chanukah and Christmas and helped make latkes. And [young person] came for a Rosh Hashanah meal. When my niece invited him, she said, “Oh! [Young person] is part of the family.”
With permission granted from JUMP’s staff team, and full safeguarding processes undertaken, Carrie was also able to introduce her young person – who is passionate and ambitious about going to university in the UK – to her father, a history professor. The three spent a fondly remembered day in Cambridge at one of the colleges. “He had lots and lots of questions… they got on well.”
“It’s been a very enriching connection and very mutual relationship.”
Although the pair see each other less now following their graduation from JUMP, Carrie stresses the warmth and closeness of their ongoing, cross-generation friendship.
It’s clearly an experience Carrie took a lot from. As she tells us, “it’s definitely enriched my life and added to it… and it’s special. It’s a really lovely addition to my life [and] a very, very, positive thing.”
The experience has also increased Carrie’s knowledge. “It’s added insights and I’ve been doing things that I wouldn’t do otherwise. I learned a bit about what happens to people with refugee status, about housing. It’s really broadened my knowledge, broadened my emotional connections with asylum seekers.” And she stresses the importance of “just meeting someone whose life is very different to mine, and whose choices, luck and everything… are so different.”
The benefits were felt both ways. We’re passionate about empowering our young people to explore their interests, try new things, and grow. So we’re delighted that JUMP could open some doors for Carrie’s young person – and she speaks fondly about “all that we’ve been able to introduce him to. Perhaps some things he wouldn’t perhaps otherwise do.”
After chatting to Carrie for an hour, it’s clear to see how much both she and her young person took from the programme. We couldn’t be more proud to hear about the impact it’s had on them both.
So, to finish up, we ask: what would Carrie say to anyone thinking of signing up with JUMP? There was no hesitation! “I would say definitely go for it. The preparation is good and the support’s good. It’s interesting, it’s a wonderful experience. So I’d say that without doubt.”
