Volunteers' Week started in 1984, just a few years before a group of volunteers decided to take action to support people experiencing homelessness over the Christmas period. Caring at Christmas was launched, eventually becoming Caring in Bristol, to work all year round. Almost 40 years later, the volunteer initiative, Caring at Christmas, is still a major annual project in the city.

Amazing response

Last year, an astounding 437 volunteers were called to action, giving 3739 hours during 855 shifts. A conservative estimate of the monetary cost to replace these hours is £50,000, and would make the scale of the project unviable. But the value is way beyond this figure. It's found in the incredible impact that they make... creating safety, dignity, and a supportive environment that is greatly appreciated by the project's guests. But this complex project also benefits from volunteers who work behind the scenes. This is just as important, making sure that there's a solid infrastructure holding the service safely and securely. It's an incredible moment of Bristol making a proactive response. We frequently say that Bristol is a city that can... and this is made a reality by volunteers giving their skills, time, and passion for change.

Stable and reliable

Week in, week out, our volunteers show up to make a difference. Helping to hold a safe space for young people in our emergency shelter, and welcoming them to a new day during a shared breakfast time. For our young people, being able to meet and get to know a range of different volunteers means an opportunity to build skills and confidence to take into the rest of their lives. The volunteers provide a stable and reliable presence when it's needed, often after turbulent life events stirred up by homelessness.

Creating and holding

We can think of our volunteers as links in a chain that make it strong. In our Bristol Goods food project they are there every week, helping to keep the food stores clean, tidy, and organised. Food is collected in our van, stored, and re-loaded in time for when it is needed. The van is then met by volunteers at its destination, and the food is unpacked and displayed for the food club members. The food club model is designed to be a dignified and supportive environment. The volunteers play a critical role in creating and holding this.

Part of the fabric

Elsewhere, our volunteers are found in many of Caring in Bristol's activities. From the governance roles of our trustees, to volunteers who help to raise funds and awareness out in the community. These roles may be behind the scenes, or front of house, but they are all essential parts of the organisations ability to deliver everything that it needs to.

The staff team at Caring in Bristol extends a huge THANK YOU to all our volunteers for adding so much to the organisation.

We appreciate you! We appreciate your impact!

You?

Are you interested in joining our teams of volunteers. Not only will you be taking an active part in pushing back against homelessness, you'll be building your skills, knowledge, and confidence. You'll get to spend time with other people, not just creating change, but creating positive energy; sometimes serious, sometimes fun, sometimes challenging - but always worthwhile.

Visit the volunteering page on this website, and find the role for you...

find your role