Posted27.12.16
We are supported by over 80 volunteers
To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we are sharing Sophie’s story.
Our volunteers play a crucial role in the provision of support to our customers and we have seen a substantial increase from 26 to 84 people volunteering for Evolve this year. From manning receptions, to running Sunday morning breakfast clubs, to sitting on our Board, we are keen that our volunteers find their time with us to be as meaningful and useful to them as the customers who benefit from their placements.
When Sophie started volunteering at Evolve as part of her Year Here placement, she hadn’t worked in the homelessness sector before. During the months that she was here, she helped to create a Women in Homelessness Best Practice Forum and designed and developed Women’s Hour workshops for the women’s group at Palmer House.
“I developed a series of 10 well-being workshops focused on developing self esteem and assertiveness skills. The women were very welcoming and reacted so positively; it was really a fantastic experience and it soon became to be the highlight of my week.”
Year Here is a 9 month training programme for graduates interested in leading social change by experiencing frontline insight, training and development, in a social service organisation. ‘I was really lucky to be able to see what Evolve does both on the frontline and at Head Office. Interacting with the women at Palmer House and getting to know the staff was a key part of my experience. I would love to continue working with women and volunteering with Evolve has given me a really good starting point.’
If you are interested in volunteering to help homeless people in Croydon, please see our volunteering page.
