Winter Night Shelter volunteers

Why we need you 

Volunteers are the heart of our night shelters. Under the guidance of a volunteer coordinator and our Glass Door staff, they help set up the night shelter venue, prepare and serve food and drinks, and welcome guests to the shelter. Volunteers are a key part of creating the warm, welcoming atmosphere that guests regularly tell us make them feel valued.  

When and where?

We have 21 night shelter venues across south and south west London, each with their own night shelter volunteer team who are responsible for the same weekly evening from early November until April (e.g. every Monday throughout the winter).  

Volunteers help on the same evening each week, from around 6pm to 9pm. You do not need to attend every week, but it is helpful if you can commit to volunteering regularly throughout the winter.  

What experience do I need? 

Our volunteers embody Glass Door’s open access ethos by welcoming all guests non-judgementally, and treating everyone with respect, value, and dignity.  

No specific experience is needed, but having worked with vulnerable people before is beneficial. Some volunteers may be cooking and it would help to have experience cooking for large numbers of people, but the only skills we require volunteers to have are being welcoming and friendly, adaptable, able to work as part of a team and take direction, and resilient and understanding while hearing about people’s experiences.  

What would I gain? 

• Contributing to a frontline homelessness service 
• Experience supporting vulnerable people  
• Possibility of completing Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene certificate  
• A personalised professional reference
• All volunteers have access to our employer assistance programme, a free confidential helpline, and will be supported by their volunteer coordinator and Glass Door’s volunteering manager.