Leeds homelessness charity appeals for new volunteers

Local homelessness charity, Emmaus Leeds, is using Volunteers’ Week 2020, which runs from 1-7 June, to appeal for more people to register as volunteers.

Emmaus Leeds supports 26 formerly homeless people by providing them with a home, support, training and work in a community setting. Typically, local volunteers work alongside beneficiaries of the charity in the Emmaus Leeds Secondhand Superstore.

Volunteers help to sort donations, restock the store and assist in promoting Emmaus Leeds on social media. The store is due to re-open soon but, due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, there is uncertainty around how many existing volunteers will be able to return.

Speaking about the call for help, Gina Morrison from Emmaus Leeds, said: “Volunteers help out at our charity store in many ways and we’d like to give all of our existing volunteers a huge thanks for their ongoing support.

“Unfortunately, it’s looking unlikely that some of our older volunteers and student volunteers will be able to return straight away. This Volunteers’ Week we’re appealing for people who are in Leeds and want to give a few hours each week to sign-up and boost our volunteer numbers.”

Volunteers’ Week is a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. Volunteers benefit charities and groups across the country, but volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers’ wellbeing too. Volunteering can also help people gain valuable new skills and experiences, and boost confidence.

Local resident, Alfie Pollard, has volunteered at Emmaus Leeds since 2011. Alfie said: “I’ve been retired now for quite a number of years and volunteering is a great way of putting something back into the community. Being part of the Emmaus Leeds community is brilliant.”

“As I say to anyone who’s got spare time; come down to Emmaus, we always want volunteers. If you can’t come to Emmaus, there’s plenty of other charities that need volunteers.”

To find out more about the volunteer roles on offer at Emmaus Leeds visit https://emmaus.org.uk/leeds/volunteer-roles/

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