Volunteering For Homeless Charities In Colchester

Leading homeless charity Shelter previously found there were more than 500 homeless people in Colchester during winter months. Of those, 20 individuals were sleeping rough, with 490 staying in temporary accommodation. The figures mean around 1 in 373 people in the town are classed as homeless.

If you want to try and do something about this through volunteering, Colchester has a number of avenues for you to go down.

Whether you're seeking out a longer term role or simply want to fill some space in your diary by helping a worthwhile cause, volunteering is a wonderful thing to do. Helping others is an incredibly enriching way to spend your time, so read on to learn more about some of the Colchester charities that deal with the town's homelessness problem and start planning your next move now.

HOMELESS CHARITIES IN COLCHESTER THAT NEED YOUR SUPPORT

Beacon House

Set up to help people who are homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and people living in temporary accommodation - Beacon House offers both practical and ongoing support including showering and laundry facilities, meals, clothing and toiletries.

It also runs a drop-in service and puts on a range of creative and personalised activities to help people move away from homelessness and into housing and employment. You could help out Beacon House by volunteering in the kitchen or collecting and organising donations. You may also find yourself helping people to write CVs, teaching IT skills or providing counselling services.

Colchester Korban Project

Operating since 2008, Colchester Korban Project provides supported housing for young people aged 16 to 25 who find themselves in crisis. Offering short-term accommodation in tandem with support to get things back on track, the project aims to guide the people it helps back into independence.

You could help out by offering to teach important professional skills to young people or by getting involved in fundraising efforts. Korban is a wonderful local cause for you to support through volunteering.

Emmaus Colchester

Established in 1999, seven years after Emmaus opened its first residential site, Emmaus Colchester provides both a home and work for up to 33 people in the local area.

As well as a purpose-built community where formerly homeless people can forge a new path for themselves, the charity runs four shops, a cafe and a warehouse, all of which would be grateful for your support as a volunteer with Emmaus.

Homeless Action Resource Project

An Essex charity based in Southend-on-Sea not far from Colchester, the Homeless Action Resource Project (HARP) is a local organisation that was set up to put a stop to rough sleeping in the area. As well as essential, short-term services, it also provides long-term help and solutions for people who want to leave homelessness behind.

You could help out at the charity's Bradbury Day Centre, which receives thousands of visits every year, or even get involved with outreach services. You could also volunteer with HARP by organising events or by joining its fundraising efforts.

HELPING DESERVING CAUSES

If you'd like to know more about getting involved in volunteering in your community, take a look at our Local Causes page and find opportunities near you.

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