LHF recently gave a grant to Bromley Homeless, to support their work rehousing people in the private sector. We asked one of their volunteers, Caroline Smith, to tell us why she got involved, and what she gets out of being part of the team.
A volunteer’s perspective on the work of Bromley Homeless
I first became aware of Bromley Homeless in 2016, when I went to see a play at the Bridge Theatre in Penge. There was a collection for the charity at the end, and I wanted to find out more.
Around the same time, I had seen a young man sleeping in a doorway. He looked remarkably like my own son, who was going through a difficult period at the time. It really brought homelessness home to me. It made me think about how easily circumstances can change, and how close to home homelessness can be.
I was working for Bromley Council then, and through a friend I was introduced to Bromley Homeless. Before long, I was volunteering at the night shelter, helping with evening meals and, perhaps most importantly, spending time talking with guests.
I’m quite happy chatting to almost anyone! I soon discovered that sometimes the simplest conversations can mean a great deal. One woman wanted to hear all about my wedding dress, which I’d made myself. I also love baking, so I started taking along a different cake each week. I’d ask people what their favourites were and sometimes make something special for someone’s birthday or if they were feeling a bit low. It’s a small thing, but it’s about making people feel welcome.
Over the years, I’ve become involved in all sorts of activities. I’ve taken part in sponsored sleepouts and organised fundraising quizzes, helped paint the shelter, cooked healthy, nutritious meals and welcomed people coming into the day service. I now volunteer overnight in the shelter a couple of nights each month, often staying on to help with breakfast. I’m also involved in putting together starter packs for people moving into accommodation. We now include a little card wishing them all the best.
For me, it’s about treating people as people, not defining them by their housing situation. I remember an older gentleman who stayed at the shelter. We spent an evening talking about music from his younger days. As we played some of his favourite songs, you could see him transported back to the dances he’d been to in the 1960’s. It was a lovely moment. There was no need to ask about his circumstances or how he’d become homeless. We were simply enjoying a conversation.
I’ve also learnt a huge amount about the complexity of homelessness. People don’t always have family or friends who can help, even when they have relatives. Sometimes circumstances make it impossible. I’ve become particularly aware of older people who may be homeless or struggling with their accommodation but simply go under the radar.
I’d love to do more to help people make their accommodation feel like home. I’ve started finding furniture and household items through friends and contacts, things that might otherwise go to waste but could make a real difference to someone starting again. A standard lamp, a little table or a comfortable chair can help turn somewhere to stay into somewhere to live.
This new post funded by LHF is so important. I hope Bromley Homeless can continue to help people find decent, affordable accommodation. What really matters is that people are treated as individuals, and that landlords see the person rather than simply the rent. For me, it’s about humanising people rather than monetising them.
What do I get out of volunteering? A tremendous amount. I feel fortunate that I have something I can give, and that Bromley Homeless provides an opportunity to put that to good use. It’s a reciprocal relationship. I enjoy the people I meet, the conversations we have and the feeling that what I’m doing has a purpose.
I recently took part in a course that asked whether I felt my life was purposeful. My answer was an emphatic yes. I really do feel that way. And after all these years, I still feel just as committed to Bromley Homeless and the people it supports.
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For more information about Bromley Homeless go to Help for Homeless People in Bromley | Bromley Homeless