Volunteering roles in Bristol | Winter 2020

Volunteering roles in Bristol | Winter 2020

Posted on: 29 Dec 2020

Find out how you can support your community through the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

 

The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on everyone in Bristol, not least the hardworking people behind the city's long list of charities, organisations and community groups looking to help those in need.

 

Since the initial outbreak at the beginning of the year, the number of people in need of support after losing their jobs, losing their homes or being otherwise affected by the crisis has continued to grow.

 

Charitable projects across Bristol are in need of volunteers ahead of what's certain to be a busy few months, as they work to help people affected by homelessness, food poverty, addiction and illness in the new year.

 

If you've got some spare time or you're looking to do some volunteering work in your community, read on for a rundown of roles available in Winter 2020 and apply when you can.

Volunteering roles in Bristol.

Caring in Bristol

 

Local charity Caring in Bristol have been providing support for homeless people and rough sleepers in the city in some form or another for over thirty years.

 

The team of full-time staff and dedicated volunteers provide a range of services, from regular community activities to short-term accommodation support, innovative fundraising projects and food provision.

 

In response to the coronavirus crisis at the beginning of lockdown, the charity launched Cheers Drive, a pioneering delivery service providing free hot meals to homeless people and rough sleepers across Bristol.

 

To date, Cheers Drive has delivered well over 130,000 meals to people in need, and the team are looking for more volunteers to lend a hand during the winter period. 

 

Find out more on the Caring in Bristol website or get in touch with the team on 0117 924 4444 or via email for details.

 

 

FareShare South West

 

FareShare have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to prepare and distribute food across the South West region, supporting frontline workers, vulnerable people and their families.

 

More recently, in response to the government's vote against extending the Free School Meals programme into school holidays, FareShare have launched FoodStock 2020, an initiative committed to creating a reliable safety net to ensure no one goes hungry this winter.

 

Aiming to build a stockpile and redistribute enough food for a million meals, the charity have already set to work on a project that could support critically vulnerable people across the South West between November 2020 and February 2021.

 

Head to the FareShare website to find out more about volunteering opportunities, from short-term roles working on FoodStock to more permanent positions within their warehouse.

 

 

Community Care Package

 

The Bristol-based team behind the Community Care Package project recently issued a new appeal for volunteers, as they continue to deliver fresh food to those that need it most amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

 

In an effort to stretch funding as far as possible, the organisers recently dropped down to one delivery per week instead of two, meaning a higher volume of deliveries needs to be made in a shorter space of time.

 

In order to maximise their output and reach as many people as possible, Community Care Package is calling on the Bristol public to volunteer their time and help with the distribution of fresh fruit and veg to communities across the city.

 

Head to the project's Fundsurfer page to find out more, sign up to volunteer or make a one-off donation.

 

 

Bristol Food Union

 

Bristol Food Union is an informal collective of restaurants, food businesses and community organisations that have come together across sectors to ensure that the city of Bristol stays fed during the COVID-19 crisis.

 

With support from some of the city's best-loved independents, including The Gallimaufry, Bianchi's and Poco, the organisation has provided food to homeless people, frontline workers and vulnerable children and adults throughout the pandemic. 

 

With your support, Bristol Food Union can continue to expand their essential emergency food provision, supporting the city's restaurants and food producers as well as thousands of people in need.

 

Fill out this form to register your availability for a volunteering role, or find out more on the Bristol Food Union website.

 

 

One25 

 

Bristol-based charity One25 have continued to provide a wide range of services throughout 2020, helping women in the community regain independence following crisis and trauma.

 

The team are always on the lookout for volunteers to help run drop-in sessions, Peony sessions, fundraising events and more, with admin, creative and driving vacancies currently open.

 

Find out more about One25 and get in touch via their website.

 

 

Bristol Drugs Project

 

The Bristol Drugs Project team provide free drug and alcohol support for people across the city, helping people to tackle addiction and break free from dependence.

 

The organisation run support services for adults, children and families from their BS1 HQ, aiming to reduce harm, promote change and maximise people's potential. 

 

Volunteering opportunities include working on Youth Groups for children and young people, helping out with events and working on the frontline alongside the Engagement and Early Intervention, Health and Harm Reduction Centre and Needle Exchange teams.

 

Find out more and get in touch with the team via the Bristol Drugs Project's volunteering portal.

 

 

Bristol Food Banks

 

More than seven months after the introduction of lockdown in the UK, it's clear just how severely millions of people across the country have been affected by the coronavirus crisis. 

 

Parts of the community that were already struggling before the pandemic hit have had to deal with a whole new set of challenges, and it's taken a monumental effort from charities, community groups and the public to help people as much as possible.

 

As a result of the crisis, food banks are being pushed harder than ever by increased demand - if you can spare the time, head to the Trussel Trust's Find a Foodbank page, identify your nearest location and get in touch to register your availability. 

 

 

If you're aware of any charitable projects, community initiatives or food drives actively looking for volunteers in Bristol, please get in touch with us via email so we can add them to this article.

 

Main Image: James Koch / The Gallimaufry

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.