Carol Newman

Volunteer who became staff - four years volunteering

Someone at the job centre suggested Crisis to me in 2007. As soon as I clicked the button to apply, I thought "what have I done?! I've never done something like this before!"

To be honest, I didn't think I was going to go, up until the night of my first shift. I was really unsure. But I got on the bus. And I was hooked from the minute I was there!

The volunteers were amazing. It's a fantastic team. It wasn't easy, the night shift is straining and very intense. It's livelier during the night. People are suffering from dependency issues so it's a lot more active but also more volatile. That's why you have to have a good volunteer team.

I did three years of Christmas volunteering. But it wasn't enough. The first week after Crisis at Christmas feels like something's missing. Which is what prompted me to get a job with Crisis. I wanted more, so I kept my eye on the website for vacancies and volunteer opportunities. I started volunteering for Crisis Skylight. Christmas at Crisis is almost a launch pad for the guests, a starting point. It's what Crisis does all year that connects the dots.

Eventually I got offered a job in the Crisis café which I snapped up. I'm now the Crisis Christmas Volunteer Coordinator for Services. I'll be working behind the scenes at Christmas this year rather than volunteering. It's going to be weird. I can't do my night shifts this year for the first time and I'll miss them so much!

Apply to volunteer at Crisis at Christmas