Volunteering with Crisis at Christmas (1)
For the first time in my life, I am about to become a volunteer. I have been accepted to do three shifts with the charity for the homeless Crisis at Christmas. Since this is my first time, at the weekend I attended a two-hour New Volunteers Induction Session at the Bloomsbury Baptist Central Church in central London.
It was a really good session. The four presenters – who between them had 54 such experiences – explained exactly what was involved and what we would have to do. They constantly changed speaking roles and used a mixture of slides, video clips, and role play to put over the information. As we left, we were given a Volunteer Handbook summarising the key points.
The organisation was founded in 1967 following the reaction to the Ken Loach film “Cathy Come Home”, so next year they will be marking 50 years of campaigning about homelessness and supporting the homeless. The first Crisis at Christmas was held in 1971 so this will be the 46th. This year, across London, Birmingham, Coventry, Newcastle and Edinburgh, some 13,000 volunteers – around half of them doing it for the first time – will be working in the various centres over the festive season.
The largest operation by far will be in London. Some 11,000 volunteers will be working in 10 centres and they are expected to support around 4,000 individual guests – the term used for the homeless visitors – who between them will make over 10,000 visits.
December 19th, 2016 at 10:06 am
Well done, Roger! I hope your shifts go smoothly.
December 19th, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Yes – that’s a terrific idea, Roger; congratulations to you on taking the step to volunteer.
December 19th, 2016 at 9:25 pm
Thanks, Janet and Calvin. It should be quite an experience.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:30 am
Knowing your feelings about religion, did you experience any lightening bolts or flames at the church?