Behind every life-changing moment for our guests at Christmas are the volunteers up and down the country, standing with them every step of the way. With your help this Christmas, we want to ensure as many people as possible can leave homelessness behind.
That’s why this year we will be extending our services in London again for these valuable extra weeks – providing support and accommodation in hotels from 20 December to the 25 January.
We will also open four day centres for guests to attend across London offering many valuable services such as health checks, eyecare, podiatry, and dental appointments. London day centres will be open during the period 24-28 December.
Across the regions of Great Britain, last year our volunteers were able to welcome members and guests to in-person events for the first time since the pandemic - ensuring guests and volunteers could share real social connection once again at Christmas.
This year you can help provide that same joy, dignity and support by volunteering with us. With the ongoing cost of living crisis and increases in evictions, thousands of people across Great Britain face being pushed into homelessness this winter, and we know many more won’t have a safe and stable place to call home.
As a volunteer, you can stand for a better society; where no one is forced to live with the constant fear of losing their home, or the constant pressure of surviving without one. With the commitment and determination of volunteers, Christmas can stand for hope and not fear for our guests. Stand with people facing homelessness, and volunteer with Crisis this Christmas.
Many opportunities for volunteering on Christmas Day near you might not be advertised online. But being proactive can help. Get in touch with your local night shelter or church to see if they need volunteers on Christmas Day.
For example, many churches host Christmas lunches for homeless and vulnerable or elderly people.
Who knows, it might even turn into longer-term volunteering for you.
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Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has a range of opportunities available, including Christmas present packing and delivery. However, what is on offer will vary on a local level – and so depends on each local church.
Opportunities are available early, a Salvation Army spokesperson said, adding: “The Salvation Army’s local churches make provision for Christmas well in advance.
Opportunities are listed at this link, while charity shop volunteering opportunities can be found at this link, or by visiting a shop and speaking to the staff or volunteers.
And aside from Christmas Day itself, the Salvation Army has a range of volunteering activities on offer throughout the festive period.
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“Our community charity shops are particularly busy in the run up to Christmas,” the spokesperson added.
“Other voluntary roles include cooks and caterers, befrienders, and debt advisers. You can also volunteer at our foodbanks, lunch clubs, community cafés or playgroups, or volunteer to support The Salvation Army’s Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Work, for example as a chaperone, driver or mentor. To find out more email ATMSVolunteering@salvationarmy.org.uk.
“You could also be a ‘Sally Army Star’ and fundraise to help isolated, desperate or hungry people this Christmas. Doing anything from festive coffee mornings and Christmassy office outfits to running, crafting and carolling. To download our free fundraising pack, go to Be a Star campaign.”
Age UK
Elderly people face a crisis of loneliness which is particularly acute at Christmas.
Local Age UK branches may be operating on Christmas Day, so get in touch and see what’s available, either by getting in touch directly or going to www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteering-enquiry
Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service also runs on Christmas Day – but volunteers need to commit to a year of volunteering and call once a week. Demand for the service is rising and Age UK says it needs volunteers “more than ever before”. To sign up go to friendship.ageuk.org.uk
But more generally, as you’d expect, Age UK has a host of volunteering opportunities across the Christmas period, including volunteering in an Age UK shop or volunteering for The Silver Line Helpline, a free and confidential 24-hour helpline for over-55s who feel lonely and isolated. This service is also open on Christmas Day.
Rotary Christmas Day
In London, the Wandsworth Rotary Club holds an annual Christmas Day event for the elderly in the area. They’re looking for bus escorts to take guests to and from the event.
You can sign up at //rotarychristmasday.org/, and your local rotary club may also have similar opportunities if you contact them directly.