What it involves

We regularly recruit nurses, podiatrists, and general volunteers for our Homeless Service. All volunteers receive training on homelessness issues before providing a service.

Training

All volunteers complete an initial training programme that includes:

• first aid skills
• homelessness awareness (which looks at the causes of homelessness and its impact on physical and mental health)
• communication skills
• infection control
• professional boundaries
• dealing with aggression
• safeguarding
• consent and mental capacity act

All team members receive annual updates in first aid, safeguarding, infection control, and moving and handling.

As well as monthly training sessions on a range of issues, volunteers are offered many other external training opportunities. For example:

• drugs and alcohol
• domestic violence
• self-harm awareness

Our Homeless Service staff aim to give all volunteers adequate support with regular newsletters, training, and supervision. Every session ends with a debrief to ensure that team members don't leave emotionally over-burdened after what can be a demanding session.

Support Volunteers

Support Volunteers (non-nurses) bring a wealth of experience and life skills to the team. They contribute to the service provision through advocacy, signposting, and health promotion. Most importantly, they are able to offer time to listen and to give holistic and empathic support which helps nurture clients with dignity, self-worth, and emotional wellbeing.

Commitment

The minimum commitment per month is:

• two 2-3-hour shifts (daytime or evening) and
• one 2-hour training session (evening)

Many volunteers find that committing to more frequent shifts makes it easier for them to build rapport with the clients and to gain a better knowledge of the service.

Got a question?

If you have any questions about becoming a Homeless Service volunteer, please email:

Brighton Homeless Service: sussexhomelessservice@sja.org.uk

Hastings Homeless Service: sussexhomelessservice@sja.org.uk