New Year, New Challenge!

If you have set yourself a goal this year to try a new challenge, why not consider volunteering full time with CSV?

CSV has a diverse range of challenging projects around the UK and we will tell you more about them over the coming months. Our focus this month is on opportunities to support homeless people in hostels, night shelters and supported housing across the UK. 

CSV works with a number of projects catering for people who are disadvantaged, unemployed and at risk. Volunteers help by befriending residents, offering help and advice, providing assistance and helping to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.  Below we hear from two former volunteers about their experiences and take a look at one of CSV's projects: 

Latest CSV Full Time Volunteering News




Alison Medlicott, a CSV Full Time Volunteer at Nightsafe, a homeless shelter in Blackburn was featured in a story run by the Lancashire Telegraph about giving up her traditional family Christmas to volunteer at the shelter.

Read the article » 





David Morris, a CSV Full Time Volunteer on the Agents4Change project in Swindon is quoted in an article in The Swindon Advertiser about CSV's 'Don't write us off' campaign

Read the article » 



New CSV Full Time Volunteering group on Facebook

If you use the social networking site Facebook why not join the new CSV Full Time Volunteering group. Here you can find out more about volunteering with CSV and read about the experiences of other CSV volunteers.

Visit the page » 



Could you host CSV volunteers?

If you are an organisation that is interested in hosting CSV Full Time Volunteers please contact us here  for more information about how CSV Full Time Volunteers could help you.

Jenny gains new skills at Nightsafe

Jenny Steel, 25, from West Yorkshire was a CSV Full Time Volunteer at Nightsafe, a nightshelter in Blackburn.

"I volunteered after finishing university as I wanted a completely new challenge after all the studying.  I really wanted to do some volunteering that involved me giving my time to be put to good use rather than money.  

I volunteered at an emergency night shelter and hostel for young people overnight for 3 or 4 nights each week.  One of my main roles was to be there for the young people and to listen to anything they wanted to talk about while providing a safe place to stay.

I gained an incredible amount from working on the project.  My confidence and decision making increased immensely. One of the project's biggest aims is for the volunteers to listen to the young people and I still use these skills now.  My views of homelessness have completely changed and I realised how lucky I was to have such a good start in life and very supportive parents.   It has taught me the value of being involved with the local community."

Amanda gains experience at Windmill House

Amanda Avis, 22, from Dorset, was a CSV volunteer at Windmill House, a hostel for homeless people in Oxford. 

Amanda helped young homeless people at the shelter to gain the skills they needed for successful independent living and supported them as they moved into permanent accommodation. She helped with the project's activities programme, including encouraging residents to get involved in various outings and in house activities.  

Amanda told us "CSV has given me the best opportunity to get 100% involved in volunteering. I've discovered a new city, made new friends and gained valuable work experience, which has now led to employment. I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for some direction and new experiences. You'll have a very rewarding time and learn a lot about yourself."


CSV Project focus:  Colchester Nightshelter

One of the organisations supported by CSV volunteers is Colchester Nightshelter in Essex. The shelter provides emergency, temporary bed and breakfast accommodation and helps homeless people with advice on employment, permanent accommodation and issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse. 

There are currently two CSV Full Time Volunteers at the nightshelter. The volunteers help the staff team with a range of activities such as helping in the office to admit residents and encouraging them to develop independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning and laundry. Volunteers assist staff to ensure that the residents are made to feel welcome, and help to create an easy, comfortable atmosphere.


Could you or someone you know be a CSV Full Time Volunteer this year?

CSV does not just work with homeless people. We have a diverse range projects helping people and organisations across the UK. If you are aged between 16-35 and are interested in volunteering please click here for more information and to apply online.

Alternatively if you know someone who might be interested please Forward this email

How to contact us: