Volunteer with us
Chapter 15 relies entirely on volunteers and we are always looking to welcome new people to the team.
What does a volunteer do at Chapter 15?
Volunteers join us at a session and either meet and greet our guests (this is what we call our homeless or recovering from homelessness friends) outside or inside. A session team usually consists of three people.
Firstly the volunteer outside is responsible for the shower and making sure guests go in turn and also for loading the washing machine and tumble dryer with the laundry they may have brought with them to wash. They will also hand out donated clothes and shoes when requested. Besides that it is chatting with our very friendly and appreciative guests and helping serve teas, coffees, toasties etc.
Secondly the volunteers inside the drop-in centre make the drinks and the toasties (we serve cheese toasties at every session and bacon baps on Saturday). If you help with the toasties we will ask you to do a very simple online food hygiene course. If we are really busy both volunteers may do this or the third may float between the inside and outside.
The key is to offer befriending and support. Some of our guests want to talk and others do not and you quickly find out what each guest prefers. Many of our guests attend every week and do become friends.
We have a small, dedicated and friendly team. If you would be interested in joining us in the first instance we will invite you to come down to one of our sessions to meet us and the guests. You will be very welcome.
You can complete our online form at the bottom of this page or if you have any questions email Mike our Centre Coordinator on hello@chapter15.co.uk
What will you get out of volunteering with Chapter 15?
Most of all a great sense of satisfaction at genuinely making a hands on difference to the lives of so many struggling to survive homelessness and the fear of homelessness. To be able to have a shower and feel clean and to wear clean clothes offers a dignity and value most of us take for granted but homeless people can not. To be able to access a haircut and footcare for free makes such a difference. One of our guests recently told us:
'You do not know what this means to me. Having a shower, a shave and my hair cut makes me feel human again. I feel such shame seeing people look at me and walk away from me, but not anymore.'
If you volunteer with us, you literally be part of making that happen. You get to realise the smallest act of kindness can change a life and it is so rewarding when you see someone leaving homelessness and beginning to rebuild my life.
But it can be emotionally draining as another guest recently shared:
'People tell me I should not drink, but if they walked just one day in my shoes, they would not say that to me.'
It can be quite emotional but it is incredibly rewarding.
It also makes us appreciate what we have a bit more. Many of us go to our warms beds in the winter and think of our guests sleeping in tents and in doorways and say a prayer of thanks for ourselves and a prayer of protection for them.
What we ask of our volunteers
Most of all it is to treat our guests with respect and dignity. To offer friendship, but equally recognise when a guest prefers to sit alone. To be willing to serve where needed (and agreed with you) whether that is helping with laundry or making the tea. On occasion you might need to ask someone to mind their language or calm down a bit, but we have never had to resort to calling the police.
Each session has an experienced team leader and we expect our volunteers to work with and support them. We are a very friendly, relaxed and informal charity and we have a lot of fun as we work with and support our guests.
We have two key Volunteer Policies you may wish to read and they can be downloaded in PDF form by clicking the links below:
You can complete our online form at the bottom of this page or if you have any questions email Mike our Centre Coordinator on hello@chapter15.co.uk
This is my volunteering story
Hello. My name is Linda
I first found out about Chapter 15 when I was looking for somewhere to donate some of my husband's clothes. I met Nadine at the centre and was very impressed by what I saw. My husband had just retired and when I mentioned this to him, he suggested I find out if they needed any volunteers.
Apparently they did! Now we both help out and lead some of the sessions. It took us well out of our comfort zone, but has proved to be so rewarding. The people we serve are so appreciative and it has been so nice being really hands on and knowing we are making such a difference. The simple offer of a shower and clean clothes (two things we just take for granted) makes such a difference. I tend to make the toasties and serve the drinks inside the centre.
I have really learned to appreciate all I have knowing when I get into a warm bed during cold nights, that others are struggling to keep warm in tents. I am just pleased I can make a small difference to the lives of those struggling with homelessness. I truly recommend Chapter 15 to you as a volunteer opportunity.
You can complete our online form at the bottom of this page or if you have any questions email Mike our Centre Coordinator on hello@chapter15.co.uk
