Volunteers with Central and Eastern European language skills needed to help homeless people this Christmas
Volunteers with Central and Eastern European language skills are urgently needed to donate their services to help homeless people in London at Crisis at Christmas.
Crisis at Christmas provides 10 centres across London from 23 to 30 December that offer vital companionship, hot meals and warmth, and a wide range of essential services that homeless people often miss out on.
Last year Crisis at Christmas welcomed 3,200 guests and served 21,000 meals. Volunteers gave health advice and treatment to over 600 people and more than 700 individuals sought advice on housing, benefits and employment issues.
Around 25 per cent of guests at Crisis at Christmas were from Central and Eastern European Countries. Czechs and Slovakians represent one of the largest groups of non-British individuals with 90 guests. 33 Czechs or Slovaks spent the night in a residential centre, 38 accessed services like Doctors, Dentists or Opticians and 20 accessed the advice service to discuss issues such as accommodation/housing, immigration, benefits or alcohol and drug dependency support needs.
For guests who have limited English language ability it can be difficult to access the services that could make a real difference to their lives. So Crisis is looking for volunteers with foreign language skills to act as general volunteers to meet and provide companionship.
The charity is also currently recruiting volunteers who can aid experienced advice volunteers to deliver guidance to our foreign guests. These volunteers must have a high level of both English and a foreign language and feel they could use this in an operational setting.
Shift times vary depending on centre, but include day, evening and night shifts. Centres open on 23 December and close on 29 December. Crisis asks that every volunteer signs up for a minimum of two shifts on two separate days.
Further information can be found on the Crisis website or by calling 0300 636 1000.
