Celebrating our volunteers
It's Volunteers' Week and time to celebrate New Hope's amazing volunteers!
“This week is Volunteers’ Week and a chance for us to celebrate the amazing volunteers we have here at New Hope. As a local charity we are proud to say we have almost 150 volunteers! Whether you are a year-round volunteer or support our seasonal projects, please know that every one of our services relies on our volunteers and we could not operate without you.
Since joining New Hope, I have come to realise that we have the most kind-hearted, hardworking volunteers, who give up so much of their time to support our mission. Every minute of the time you give to New Hope is helping to change the lives of the vulnerable people in your local community and you really are making a difference.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of you on behalf of everyone here at New Hope. ”
New Hope volunteers help throughout New Hope, including Beth, one of six new befrienders at the Recovery Service.
“I was looking to volunteer as I wanted to do something different and get more involved in my local community. When I heard about the befriender role at the Recovery Service accommodation and the fantastic work it does, it sounded like the perfect fit.
On a typical day I arrive on a Saturday morning to be greeted by the lovely Michael (support worker) and we begin with the morning check-in meeting, a chance to catch up with all the residents and plan the day. I help with various administration duties, but my favourite part is to interact with the residents. Everyone has been so welcoming and I enjoy getting to know the residents, hearing their stories and I feel honoured to be in some way a part of their recovery journey. Becoming a volunteer is one of the best things I have done and I tell all my friends and family how much I love it. As a result, my mum is now volunteering at a shelter in Liverpool.””
We have drivers, helping to keep our food bills, collecting donations from supermarkets and a local egg farm, chaplains, there to listen and provide emotional support, Cultivate volunteers, helping with mental health and wellbeing as well as practical garden-based projects, shop volunteers, bringing in much-need income and being a friendly community presence, kitchen volunteers, cooking healthy and tasty meals, Watford Winter Shelter volunteers, ensuring this vital service is friendly and welcoming, and street outreach volunteers, strengthening our presence on the streets and parks. Not forgetting, of course, our volunteers who help with fundraising, sorting donations at the Haven, and helping people move into their own homes! New Hope also has a team of trustees, who are involved with strategy, finance and governance.
Volunteers are essential to New Hope and we are so grateful to everyone who gives up their time to help!
We are currently recruiting for more people:
to help in the kitchen at the Sanctuary - cooking the evening meal
supporting people's wellbeing with Cultivate
to carry out street outreach, alongside our staff
help in our Croxley Green shop
Please have a look at newhope.org.uk/volunteer for all the details and please share with your friends, colleagues, and networks!