I've volunteered to help at the emergency nighshelter and I'm getting cold feet

[Wahtnow]

They were struggling for the early morning shift, which once a week fits in quite well for me so I volunteered. I start on Friday and have received all the reading.

Obviously I knew the guests will come with issues, but whilst I've had many jobs dealing with the public, I've never had to dave threats of violence or substance abuse.

I won't pull out, but I am starting to wonder if I'm up to it. I find it hard to "chat" with strangers at the best of times. I really.hope I can do a decent job for everyone who needs it.

Nothing for it but to dive in really. Try to observe what other volunteers do but don't try to copy them, just use their behaviour as guidance and be yourself. People can smell bullshit. It might be a steep learning curve but you'll learn lots.

You will be fine.

Morning shift is perfect to start with as there is a lot to do and you'll be very busy.

I've never had abuse volunteering at night shelters.

It really sucks kicking people out into the cold winter's morning though

It'll be ok - I'm sure they have rules around violence and drug use. Everyone has a story - it's not as scary as it sounds. Good luck!

Yes I thought that too, but it also says the evening people need to turn people away if they're not booked in, which must be even harder.

My daughter used to do the night shift. She never had any problems. These people are generally absolutely fine ..they never chose to be in this sad situation and just need company.X

I used to volunteer in a similar situation and 99% of the service users I met were pleasant, thoughtful and interesting people who had very difficult and sad lives. Just remember, the person in front of you is just a person, regardless of their current living situation. Speak to them
how you’d like someone to speak to you if you were in that situation.

I worked in a library a few years ago and now work in homelessness (5 years)

I have had 1 client be aggressive in all of that time yet at the library we put up with verbal abuse on a daily basis from entitled arseholes

The narrative that all homeless people are addicts, drunks and always violent really needs to change.

You'll be fine.

I volunteered at a hostel for 4 years, I can count the actual scary incidents on one hand. Most of the men there had literally just found themselves homeless after separating from their wife/partner and having nowhere else to go.

Not the same thing I know but I volunteered at the food bank for many years, and was one of the people who interviewed the clients (we call the service users clients at the food bank). They were all lovely people and no one was ever rude or intimidating. (Sometimes they came in slightly defensive but I think that was more because they were initially worried what we'd be like). The interview was mostly supposed to be brief and practical about their needs but they were often so relieved to speak to someone who had time to listen that they'd talk for ages and explain their situation. Be prepared to hear some tough stories potentially, you have to try to keep calm and not get visibly upset on behalf of the client.

I admit the demographic might be different: the majority of clients I met were mums with multiple kids, often DV victims. Whereas, I don't know, I always assumed homeless shelters had mostly single men but I'm ignorant about that

My Mum is in her 60s and does Friday/Saturday night shifts in our nearest emergency nightshelter, along with still working full time as a teacher!

She says it is much more sad than scary. You’ll be fine, well done for stepping up.

I volunteer with a soup kitchen and echo what others have said. It’s very rare anyone is aggressive or scary and if they are other people will help you. They are just people, often with very sad stories, and like all of us they often just appreciate warmth, food and a friendly face. In fact, and I’m aware this is a bit self-centred, I usually come off shift feeling both sad for the people I’ve been talking to and newly grateful for my own life - it’s a great cure for feeling sorry for myself or like my life is a mess.

I did this for a few years. Never felt unsafe. Occasionally there were clients who were a bit disruptive but it was always managed appropriately and I never felt that I was at risk in any way.

I am sure you will find it rewarding.

Do not share your personal information at all.

No accidental give aways like oh yeah I know that park it’s at the end of my road.

I have volunteered and shared no really personal information. There was talk of pets and food and movies and general stuff and that’s all fine.

We had an almost death due to a drug overdose that they had taken before arrival and the worst time was when it was revealed there was a convicted paedophile amongst the regulars. He had to be moved for his own safety out of the small town I live in. This was a food project and not a night shelter so anyone could come along, babies right up to ninety year olds. I heard a lot, mainly sad there was a woman with a very sad story regarding her family, the outcome was sad but we knew the actual circumstances and she always missed very relevant chunks out. She was trying to elicit sympathy for money as had major addiction issues.

Depends on who you get.

In eleven years working in this environment I was sworn at repeatedly on a daily basis, threatened, screamed at, followed home, physically assaulted, stolen from, came into contact with most bodily fluids and had to lock myself in the office on numerous occasions. I saved many lives in that time, directly and indirectly and had some deaths too*. I helped many people and 95% of people I dealt with were no problem to myself and other staff...but I'd never go back and would never suggest anybody to get involved in the first place.

Dealt with homeless people with various issues, usually a combination. Drug and alcohol issues combined with mental health issues, ODs and self harm every few days, ex and current offenders, sex offenders, violent abusers, racists, homophobes, misogynists and every other classification of cunt you can dream up. All with a welcoming smile and professional demeanour, all helped equally. It's a thankless task and mostly pointless. I saw almost every one of my colleagues burn out and leave for other roles in the organisation within three or four years or leave this and associated roles completely. Some have never worked again thanks to the personal trauma.

Think VERY carefully about this.

*Up to suicide/matricide/attempted murder on one occasion.

My neighbour volunteers at a homeless shelter and is trying to recruit me. I'm considering it atm
She says most of the attendees are just happy for some hot food and shelter, there is the odd pocket of aggression but, and without trying to sound sexist/stereotyping, there are some burly male workers/volunteers who keep things running smoothly.Neighbour also reiterated the importance of not divulging any personal info about yourself and your family

I used to do the early shift, 5am - 9am in my old area.

It was fine! Preparing breakfast and lunch packs for problem to take with them, having a cup of tea and chatting to service users while they are breakfast, cleaning up and putting the sleeping bags/cot beds away afterwards. It was very busy.

I did it every other sunday for three years, never had a bad experience.

*for people, not problem. Fat fingers.

I've done this before and it's OK. They won't leave inexperienced volunteers to deal with seriously problematic behavior, there will be someone experienced in hand to deal with that kind of thing if it happens. I didn't see or hear anything beyond a bit of confused shouting/swearing from a couple of attendees who were in a bad way, but it wasn't directed at anyone.