I am retired, having worked in the health and care system, but I have five grandchildren that keep me busy!
I began volunteering in homeless night shelters before Covid but linked up with Reach Out to the Community when they were closed down, moving to delivering food to hostels and hotels. Volunteering helps the volunteers but homelessness is one of many fundamental issues that we face as a society. I think the inequality is unacceptable.
RoC is focused on outreach, one of the critical responses to people who are homeless. I mainly deliver bread and crumpets (donated by Warburtons since Covid) to advice centres and residential settings across Manchester. I have recently helped with some key actions (such as closing the office and looking for storage space for donations) acting as back up to Stephanie.
Volunteering gives me a much-needed sense of engagement, keeping in touch with the real world and the life experience of those who are homeless.