Volunteering in local projects is a great way of making new friends, creating more fun in your life and demonstrating God’s love to others. There are a number of community focussed projects that HT are actively involved in:
Cambridge Street Pastors
Street Pastors is an interdenominational Church initiative already active in over 100 towns and cities across the UK and is shown to have a dramatic impact on reducing crime and disorder. Our involvement provides an opportunity for the church to meet people where they are, declaring the love of God through practical action and to be ready to give an account of the Hope that is in us.
Cambridge Street Pastors are Christians from local churches (including HT) who have volunteered to join a Street Pastors team. Street Pastor patrols occur Friday and/or Saturday nights, 10pm – 4am and the Street Pastors walk the streets and visit local pubs, night-clubs and parties in the area, developing listening, pastoral relationships with young people and others needing help. They provide a range of practical help so that young people can get home or get to their next destination safely and in good order. And anyone can continue a conversation the next day by contacting the Street Pastors Coordinator via phone or email.
If you'd like to be a volunteer Street Pastor then you can apply using Volunteer application form. Full training is provided. Prayer is crucial to the work of Street Pastors - and Cambridge Street Pastors are particularly keen to find Prayer Pastors to "watch and pray" each Friday night while the Street Pastors are on patrol! Please get in contact if you can help.
Wintercomfort
Wintercomfort is a charity that HT supports by regularly donating money towards meal vouchers.
“Wintercomfort supports those who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes by offering them basic amenities, opportunities for educational development and recreation, together with offering a range of services designed to help them achieve greater autonomy.”
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer with Wintercomfort, from helping in the kitchen or on reception during the week to helping at their overnight Cold Winter Shelter.
Jimmy’s Night Shelter
Jimmy's was opened in 1995 to provide a bed, hot food, clothing (if needed), care, a listening ear and help with the endless form filling for those who have no home for whatever reason.
Jimmy's Night Shelter is committed to volunteers and values their involvement within its service. The staff team aims to provide a setting where volunteers can gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding homelessness, and a sympathetic awareness which it is hoped they will be able to share with others in their individual workplace or social contexts.
Link House
Link House is a Christian project which HT helps to support. It is specially aimed at newly arrived overseas graduates who are not accommodated within the University. Link House provides friendship and support, international understanding and a ‘home from home’ for key people in tomorrow’s world.
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes to send to needy children around the world for Christmas. These shoeboxes will be filled with presents for boys and girls in poor countries - for some, it may be the first Christmas present they have ever been given. Last year 1.3 million needy children in Eastern Europe and Africa received shoeboxes from children, families and individuals in the UK.
Cambridge Samaritans
Cambridge Samaritans exists to provide confidential emotional support to people in distress or despair in the city and surrounding area.
The Cambridge Branch is run entirely by volunteers, who are trained to provide emotional support to callers by phone, email and face to face. They are always looking for more volunteers. To find out more, head along to one of the regular Information Evenings at Emmanuel Road. You’ll receive a warm welcome and hear more from current volunteers about what they do and what’s involved.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army exists to “Save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity”. There are many different ways to get involved with the work of the Salvation Army. One way is to volunteer at Sally Ann’s, the Salvation Army Charity Shop. Sally Ann’s, located on a prominent site on Mill Road, is primarily for fundraising and supporting the community centre further along the road. If you would like more information about volunteering at the Charity shop, please call 01223 316161.
Age Concern Cambridge
Age UK Cambridgeshire Age UK Cambridgeshire is a local charity working with and for older people in Cambridgeshire by providing information and services including day centres, home help and visiting schemes. Taking part in the visiting scheme is a really fun way of making a difference by providing friendship and support to older people. Volunteers should be able to offer around an hour a week and experience is not necessary. The visiting scheme organisers provide support and guidance to all volunteers. For more information please call the Information Service on 0300 666 9860.