Volunteer...
Registerd Charity Number 1088245
A volunteer's perspective
I first heard about the Simon On the Streets whilst running a project through Leeds University called Homed. I became interested in the idea of being able to provide support to rough sleepers and people living on the streets, something I had no previous experience of at that time. I learned more about it and consequently became involved.
Since joining the Simon On the Streets I have been involved in Street Outreach and the Breakfast Club. I enjoy outreach work because every session is different and you can never anticipate an outcome. The timings of sessions aim to access those most in need of support, which is somewhat difficult to predict. These sessions are both a challenge yet incredibly rewarding, and I feel that through continuity and determination
I first heard about the Simon On the Streets whilst running a project through Leeds University called Homed. I became interested in the idea of being able to provide support to rough sleepers and people living on the streets, something I had no previous experience of at that time. I learned more about it and consequently became involved.
Since joining the Simon On the Streets I have been involved in Street Outreach and the Breakfast Club. I enjoy outreach work because every session is different and you can never anticipate an outcome. The timings of sessions aim to access those most in need of support, which is somewhat difficult to predict. These sessions are both a challenge yet incredibly rewarding, and I feel that through continuity and determination
there are excellent results. For example to see the small adjustments, concerning an individual’s attitude to their current situation is essential for future positive change.
At the Breakfast Club I have been able to meet many service users more intensively engaged with Simon On the Streets. These sessions allow workers to engage with people who are homeless in a more structured manner. It’s been an eye opener to the amount of long-term practical and emotional support required.
I feel the success of work carried out by Simon On the Streets lies largely in its strategy and approach. Workers and volunteers demonstrate a genuine interest to get to know individuals on the street and to provide support in a reliable and dependable manner.
At the Breakfast Club I have been able to meet many service users more intensively engaged with Simon On the Streets. These sessions allow workers to engage with people who are homeless in a more structured manner. It’s been an eye opener to the amount of long-term practical and emotional support required.
I feel the success of work carried out by Simon On the Streets lies largely in its strategy and approach. Workers and volunteers demonstrate a genuine interest to get to know individuals on the street and to provide support in a reliable and dependable manner.
Volunteering with the organisation has re-emphasised to me the large number of issues faced by homeless people on a day to day basis. Being able to offer my support to these individuals during outreach sessions has been an entirely rewarding experience and I am proud to be part of such a hardworking and committed team.
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A large proportion of the people we support have issues with drugs and/or alcohol. They tend to be at the more chaotic end of substance use.
· There were 40,872 admissions to hospital in England in the year 2006-7 with a primary diagnosis of mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol consumption
· There were 6,743 admissions to hospital in England in the year 2005-6 with a primary diagnosis of drug related mental health and behavioral disorder.
· The total number of drug related deaths in England and Wales in 2006 was 1,573.
· The total number of deaths directly linked to alcohol in England in 2006 was 6,517. The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England estimates there are up to 22,000 premature deaths per year associated in some way with alcohol misuse.
All information taken from the NHS Information Centre.
Substance use can start as a coping mechanism. We know that behind the issue is a person, and we aim to give them the support to access the right services
· There were 40,872 admissions to hospital in England in the year 2006-7 with a primary diagnosis of mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol consumption
· There were 6,743 admissions to hospital in England in the year 2005-6 with a primary diagnosis of drug related mental health and behavioral disorder.
· The total number of drug related deaths in England and Wales in 2006 was 1,573.
· The total number of deaths directly linked to alcohol in England in 2006 was 6,517. The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England estimates there are up to 22,000 premature deaths per year associated in some way with alcohol misuse.
All information taken from the NHS Information Centre.
Substance use can start as a coping mechanism. We know that behind the issue is a person, and we aim to give them the support to access the right services
