Stevenage Haven providing 'Shelter and Support for Single Homeless People'........ OUR MISSION: Stevenage Haven exists to provide single homeless men and women, aged 16 and above, in Stevenage and the surrounding areas with emergency accommodation and the means to move forward into secure settled lifestyles within our community......... Stevenage Haven providing 'Shelter and Support for Single Homeless People'......... CHRIS FOSTER HOUSE OBJECTIVES: (1) To offer good quality emergency temporary accommodation to single homeless people. (2) To ensure the Project provides a safe environment for residents in which everyone feels respected and valued. (3) To assist residents to access move-on accommodation. (4) To support residents to enable them to address issues that impact their ability to move on and sustain their new accommodation.

How to Volunteer

Read about Olwen James' experience as a Volunteer and Trustee in the document below.

In particular we need:

Drivers - Could you spare an hour or so on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening around 6pm to pick up food from Marks & Spencer and deliver to Stevenage Haven?

Evening Shift Volunteers - from 7pm to 10pm to befriend, listen and support homeless people.

Lunch Time Volunteers - from midday to 2pm to help prepare Lunch and to befriend clients.

Fundraising Volunteers - to help us raise money and awareness of homelessness.

Specialist Volunteers - could you help organise a group? We are always looking for people with specific skills or experiences to help us widen the services and activities at Chris Foster House.

Volunteers have played a central role in Stevenage Haven from the very start of the organisation and they continue to be one of our most valuable resources.

We need specialist volunteers in the following areas:

SNOOKER:- Accompanying residents (with member of staff) to the Snooker Hall.

MUSIC:- Volunteer to start up a music group.

ARTS & CRAFTS:- Volunteer to help run an arts and crafts group.

CREATIVE WRITING:- Volunteer to run a creative writing group.

IT:- Volunteer to assist a staff member deliver basic computer training.

SPORTS:- Accompanying residents to local sports events (swimming, badminton, indoor football, etc.).

DIY:- Volunteer to run a basic DIY skills group for residents.

DRIVERS on THURSDAY or FRIDAY or SATURDAY:- Drivers to collect M&S free food early evening and deliver to Stevenage Haven.

FRIENDS OF STEVENAGE HAVEN: We are looking for people who would be willing to become a 'Friend' and help organise fundraising social events such as Quiz Nights, organise awareness stalls in the town centre and at Stevenage Day and arrange for speakers to visit schools, churches and other organisations who would like someone to speak about the work of Stevenage Haven and homelessness in general.

Stevenage Haven always needs more volunteers. The time commitment need not be onerous and maybe for as little as 2 or 3 hours per month.

All volunteers are supported, receive training and have their contribution valued.

To volunteer you can download the Volunteer Booklet and the Volunteer Application Form at the bottom of this web page or telephone Frankie Trudgill on 01438 354884 or e-mail us.

Read about Glynis Ireton's experiences as a volunteer in the document below.