General volunteers
We need around 6000 general volunteers
General volunteers are right at the heart of Crisis at Christmas, helping out wherever needed to make sure our guests feel welcomed and cared-for. Three out of four volunteers sign up for this role.
Up to 6,000 general volunteers help with the day-to-day running of our nine centres, managed by experienced shift leaders. Our five day centres are located in Finsbury Park, Stratford, Bermondsey, Hammersmith and Deptford (exact locations to be confirmed). Our residential centres, for guests with specialist needs, will be in London Zones 1-3; location details will be released in December.
We are particularly looking for Night Owls - General Volunteers willing to do night shifts - as we always have a shortage of these. More information on Night Owl duty.
A first-time general volunteer talks about her experiences
What kind of jobs will I be asked to do?
General volunteers may be asked to do a wide range of tasks, such as:
- Greeting guests at the gate
- Providing companionship to guests by chatting and taking part in activities
- Giving out clothing and toiletries in the store
- Looking after the guests' luggage store where they keep all their possessions
- Keeping fire watch in the sleeping areas
- Cleaning duties
- And so on
The tasks available will depend upon the needs of the particular centre you are based in.
Night Owl duty
We always need General Volunteers who are willing to sign up for night shifts at our Residential Centres, where some of our most vulnerable guests get to have a safe, warm and quiet night's sleep. For many, this is not something they can usually have on the street during the rest of the year, so the role is vitally important and very worthwhile.
Our video shows one Night Owl's story.
What experience do I need?
No experience is necessary for the general volunteer role, just a willingness and ability to 'muck in' and assist where necessary.
The minimum age is 16, but 16 -17 year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. There is no maximum age.
What commitment do I need to make?
We need you to commit to a minimum of two shifts, so this means volunteering on two days from 23 to 30 December.
The shift times in Day Centres are as follows:
- AM: 8.30 am to 4 pm
- PM: 3 pm to 10 pm
The shift times in Deptford Reach Day Centre are as follows
- AM: 7 am to 2.15 pm
- PM: 1.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Shift times in the Residential Centres are:
- AM: 7.45 am to 4 pm
- PM: 3.15 pm to 11 pm
- NIGHT: 10.15 pm to 8.30 am
Reliability is a key issue and we need you to turn up on time for your allocated shifts.
