Helping the Homeless Community (Huggard Centre, Cardiff)

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Volunteering at the Huggard Centre is valuable opportunity for student, and community volunteers to befriend and facilitate activities for adults who are currently Homeless in Cardiff.  

The Huggard Centre needs volunteers to support clients coming into the ‘Intervention Centre’ on a Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 1-3pm.  

This project is beneficial to the people experiencing homelessness, as the volunteer support improves client’s well-being, reduces stress levels, and increases self-esteem and empowerment. 

About the Huggard Centre: 

The Huggard Centre is Wales’ leading Centre for people who are experiencing homeless and sleeping rough. 

For more than 30 years, the Huggard Centre has supported individuals who are living on the streets, sofa surfing or experiencing homelessness in Cardiff.   

Volunteers will support the Huggard at their Intervention Centre, which is where the immediate and practical needs of clients are dealt with. Clients are able to take a shower, get a change of clothing or wash their own clothes, or have hot drinks and food from the commercially equipped kitchen.  

The Huggard Centre is also where many clients will spend their days whilst waiting for accommodation, so many will be around the social areas. Clients are encouraged to contribute to life within the Centre. They can help out within the Centre, garden and allotment, take part in upcycling furniture as well as volunteer in the kitchen and Café H (situated on the ground of the Huggard Centre). The goal with all activities and volunteering opportunities is to boost the confidence and independence of the clients accessing the Centre.  To help them build, and maintain, a relationship with the people and services supporting them.  

To read more about the Huggard Centre, please visit their website: Huggard: About us    

Volunteer roles: 

There are lots of ways in which volunteers can play a vital role at the Huggard Centre. Volunteers can choose to attend on a Monday or Wednesday afternoon (or both depending on availability), from 1-3pm. The roles of volunteers will vary, and volunteers would be expected to support where needed. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are studying subjects such as psychology, social sciences and health and social care to gain hands-on experience and knowledge. However, we welcome all volunteers (you don’t have to be a student), who are interested in supporting people who are homeless and would be willing to commit weekly to the project (we are aiming for a minimum of 6 months commitment with breaks for exam periods and holidays). 

Activity volunteer:  

Activity volunteers will  organise varied and meaningful afternoon sessions. These activities are designed to build confidence and resilience, as well as providing the opportunity to develop new skills and interests. These activities support clients with their mental health and wellbeing, providing a “time-out” from daily lives. Previous activities have included board games, arts and crafts, karaoke sessions, themed quizes to name a few. 

The activities you facilitate can be based on your interests. Maybe you really enjoy art and would like to run an art class? Perhaps you are able to speak another language and would like to teach it? Maybe you are really into sports and would like to facilitate exercise sessions in the Huggard Centre’s outdoor gym or organise a basketball tournament or park run? Maybe you love cooking and want to teach clients basic cookery skills? Or even maybe you love a good afternoon quiz or a game of cards? All activities and ideas are welcome! 

The Huggard Centre has lots of resources for activities including a kitchen, arts and craft materials, an outdoor gym and basketball hoop, indoor table tennis and much more! If there is anything that you need to purchase for your activity, discuss this with SVC – and if we have the budget we will cover the costs.  

Activity volunteers will also be responsible for running events at the Huggard Centre. This might include a Christmas afternoon party with a festive raffle, an Autum BBQ or a Spring live music session.  

Befriending volunteer:  

As a befriending volunteer, it will be your role to offer a homeless person someone to talk to. Being homeless can be a scary experience and some clients have the most complex of lives and face extreme social exclusion. Befriending volunteers can engage with clients who perhaps don’t want to take part in activities but just want someone to have a cup of tea and a chat with. Clients may also want to do quieter activities outside of the group which you can assist with. This role requires empathy and resilience, and we will offer you guidance on how to lead conversations, whilst looking after yourself and the client. Befriending volunteers can also take part in organising events or leading wellbeing activities.  

As part as your role as a befriender you can also raise awareness of the Huggard Centre’s Harm Reduction Unit with others e.g. at university or work. Here, even if you are not homeless, the walk-in clinic is where clients can access syringes, condoms, drug testing kits and STD testing kits.  

Befriending will take place within the Centre to ensure the safety of our volunteers, and the clients of the Huggard Centre. 

Clothes stall and donation volunteer:  

The Huggard Centre will soon be opening a clothes exchange stall. Donated clothes will be available for clients to have. Volunteers will be responsible for looking after the stall and providing clothes needed at the client's request.  

Volunteers will also support the Huggard Centre’s donation team to arrange donations and organise items which have been donated. The Huggard Centre’s always needs items are: toiletries, boxer shorts, nail clippers and hairbrushes.  

The Huggard Centre is also supported by the charity Beauty Banks who donate self-care and hygiene products, so it is important that volunteers are able to maintain a good relationship with this charity. 

During your volunteering hours, you will also have opportunities to support volunteer activities and assist with events.  

Application process 

1. Apply to volunteer using SVC's volunteer application form here: Apply to Volunteer | SVC (svcymru.org) 

2. Attend an induction with SVC, Huggard and volunteers. 

If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to email the Project Coordinator (Georgia)- G.Taylor@SVCymru.org  

This project is funded by Magic Little Grants