VOLUNTEERING FOR KCAH

At Christmas time...

The Winter Night Shelter 25/26 opened on Monday (01/12/25) and runs for 5 months or 151 nights. Our team of trained staff members, 5 support workers and a co-ordinator (Greg), are the back bone of support for guests but if we are to reach and sustain our goal of 30 beds per night, we need volunteers!

What is the Winter Night Shelter?

We are providing five months of safety and security for up to 30 rough sleepers in Kingston. We open every night from 7pm and offer a hot meal, an evening of community, a warm, comfortable bed and breakfast.

With only a small team of staff, we rely on volunteers to allow us to offer the full provision of beds, and we aim to do so over every 151 nights.

A Volunteer's View…

“Volunteering at the night shelter, you really see how much the little things matter. Whether it’s making someone a cup of coffee exactly how they like it, following up on a conversation you’d had the previous week or joining in a game of Uno with guests, those small moments of normal everyday kindness can mean so much. What really shone through was what a positive difference we can make when we all come together as a compassionate community. We’re not ‘just’ providing a safe shelter for the night – we’re helping create the possibility of real change in someone’s life by ensuring people feel seen. I always leave my shifts feeling like I’ve gained more than I’ve given – that connection genuinely goes both ways.”

Sign up steps

1. visit: https://xmas.kcah.org.uk/register/ and create an account

2. Access and complete the training

3. Use the form at the bottom of the page to notify us

4. We will create a Three Rings account

5. Log-in to Three Rings and start booking shifts!

Location

Currently in central Kingston. Full details are given after step 3 of the above, parking details are in the training.

Shifts

Shift times:

6:30pm - 11:30pm - Evening Shift

11:00pm - 5:30am - Night Owl Shift

5:00am - 8:00am - Breakfast shift

Can't Do a Night? You Can Still Feed a Guest!

You can also volunteer something other than your night time hours.

Every evening we want to provide a healthy, delicious meal to our guests, and it means so much more if that meal has been prepared by hands and hearts who care.

Join the Whatsapp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EDDBhMwJdit6qsukYv5Hnc?mode=hqrt1

Thank you so much for your interest!

 

OTHER WAYS TO HELP US:

Fundraising for KCAH

There are many fun and easy ways to make a big difference by helping raise vital funds for our work with vulnerable people facing homelessness. Please click here to find out how to get involved. 

Church or Community Group Rep

We are always looking for people with a passion for helping homeless people, by spreading the word about the work of KCAH within their churches, faith groups or community organisations. To find out more, please email enquiries@kcah.org.uk.

 

 

KCAH Volunteer Gill's Story

Gill and her husband Miles joined our inspirational team of KCAH Volunteers at The Haven night shelter last winter. During lock-down they were working tirelessly to help #Kingstonaid deliver nearly 20,000 meals to elderly and vulnerable people, including rough sleepers housed by KCAH in a local hotel during the pandemic.