Community Involvement
There are dozens of ways to make a difference to the lives of those around us. 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. Read on to find out about just a few of the projects HT supports and the ways that you can get involved...
The Besom
Poverty, isolation, abuse, ill health, injustice, homelessness. We all see the sharp inequalities of life around us and the devastating impacts they have on people's lives. The Besom helps people make a difference. It provides a bridge between those who want to give time, money, things or skills and those who are in need.
The aim behind The Besom is that everyone - whether you are three years old or over 80, whether working full-time or part-time, a student, a mum with toddlers, in between jobs or retired - everyone can get involved.
Over the last year, a number of HT’s fellowship groups, groups of students and the youth group have taken part in short Besom Projects that have involved spending part of their weekend to decorate someone’s home or do a spot of gardening!
You can find out about other ways of getting involved by visiting The Besom website.
Cambridge Street Pastors
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 the on-line Volunteer Street Pastor 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, and 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. To find out more about Wintercomfort check out their website.
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. If you would like to volunteer at Jimmy's please call Jane on 0845 680 6085. You can find out more about Jimmy’s by visiting their website.
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. For more information on the work of Link House and how to get involved in fund raising events, please visit their website.
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.
Last year the students and Children's Church at HT were among those who sent shoeboxes to needy children and we will be doing so again this year. To find out more about Operation Christmas Child and opportunities to volunteer, visit http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.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. For more information visit the website.
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 and you can find out more by visiting www.camsa.org.uk. 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 fund raising 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 Cambridgeshire
Age Concern 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 Visiting Scheme organisers on 01223 506002. Find out about other ways of getting involved with Age Concern by visiting www.accambs.org.
