New volunteer roles are coming up at Catching Lives this winter and we need your help. In addition to our busy seven-day-a-week day centre and volunteer-run bookshop, we’ll be operating a night shelter from mid-December to mid-March.
Opportunities to help at Canterbury Community Shelter include Drivers, Evening Kitchen Team and Evening Shelter Welcome Team.
Rosie Bartlett, Volunteer Coordinator at Catching Lives, said: “We’re looking for volunteers to help support the smooth running of our extended services. These flexible roles may involve a shorter time commitment than our year-round volunteering roles so are a great opportunity for anyone who wants to support people experiencing homelessness but has limited time to spare.
“These roles offer an excellent opportunity to gain experience volunteering for a charity, as well as making an immediate difference to the lives of people who are homeless.”
Here’s a bit more information about each role.
Drivers
We need Drivers who can volunteer for around 45 minutes between 6.30am to 8am or 5pm to 7:30pm
This is one of our most important roles supporting Catching Lives with the logistics of running the Canterbury Community Shelter
Volunteer drivers will transport bedding and other items from the shelter to the day centre (AM shift) or from the day centre to the shelter (PM shift)
The role only requires around 45 minutes commitment in either of the time slots since all locations are within a 10-minute drive from the centre
Must provide own car with valid insurance and driving licence
Evening Kitchen Team
The Evening Kitchen team shift is from 5pm to 7:30pm
We’re opening the centre in the evening so our guests will be able to enjoy a hot meal before heading over to the shelter.
Volunteers will be responsible for prepping, cooking and serving the meal for up to 15 guests as well as cleaning down after service. There may also be times where evening volunteers are asked to help support with closing the centre at the end of the meal.
If you love cooking and being a part of a team or can lend a hand washing up and cleaning we need you!
Shifts are only 2.5 hours so will suit those who have limited time or can only spare evenings
Minimum age requirement is 18 years old
Evening Welcome Team
The Evening Welcome Team shift is from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
When our guests arrive at the shelter each night, we’d love to have volunteers that are able to welcome them and help them get settled.
The team will show our guests around, help with teas and coffees and support the smooth running of the shelter.
Volunteers are welcome to chat with our guests, engage in board games etc. and spend time with them before the shelter closes for the evening.
Minimum age requirement is 18 years old
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Rosie on volunteer@catchinglives.org.
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