About
We are a Cambridge homelessness partnership that works with some of the city's most disadvantaged rough sleepers and others who are vulnerably housed.
We run Crossways, our winter emergency ...
Street Storage Volunteer
Scan me or visit www.volunteercambs.org.uk/o/It-Takes-A-City-Cambridge/activities/Street-Storage-Volunteer/88186 to join
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Summary
New project to provide safe, secure storage for the possessions of people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge.Detailed description
Imagine if you had to leave your home tonight with nowhere to go. What would you take with you?
It Takes A City (ITAC) are preparing to open a Street Storage project to provide safe, secure storage for people sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness in Cambridge.
ITAC are looking for volunteers to help create a welcoming place for people who may be feeling vulnerable and worried about their treasured possessions.
The project will be based in a unit provided by Pickfords at their site in Clifton Way and will be open one afternoon a week (Thursday) from 12-4pm. People will be able to store bags/boxes, with details being recorded on a secure database.
You will be assisting ITAC staff with referrals, appointments, drop-in times and storage administration whilst building meaningful relationships with people using Street Storage.
Skills/Experience required:
- Empathy and respect for people using the service.
- The ability to welcome people, making them feel comfortable storing their belongings with us.
- Ability to adapt to the needs of the individual and to go at their pace.
- Administrative skills (use of phone, email, website).
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
If you have a few hours to spare and are looking for a simple way to make a real difference, we might be for you.
About It Takes A City (Cambridge)
We run Crossways, our winter emergency accommodation project in Chesterton, from November to April every year, working in partnership with Cambridge Churches Homeless Project, who support the project with additional resources to purchase food and provision of a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator to work with all members of the Crossways volunteer team.
Crossways volunteers are a diverse group, reflecting all sectors of Cambridge society (aged 18+ due to the nature of the project). There are volunteer roles that do not require specific skills, qualifications, or experience.
‘Helping at Crossways was a great experience for me. It was a great way to get out of the student bubble and really opened my eyes to how communities can come together to support those who need it most.’ —M (Student).
Other roles, such as our Lead Cooks (who will be expected to hold or willing to gain a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate) where we are looking for people with confidence and the ability to direct less experienced members of the team.
Ideally, volunteers should be able to commit time to the project on a regular basis such as weekly, fortnightly, or monthly and over the entire period that the project runs, but we are happy to discuss this with individuals.