At the start of the coronavirus lockdown, the Government’s ‘Everybody In’ scheme directed councils to bring all rough sleepers in from the streets and into emergency accommodation. Never more so was the need for volunteers to support commissioned services and their frontline staff to offer their time covering 24/7 shifts supporting the most vulnerable. Volunteer roles in the homeless sector come in various types but frontline volunteering comes with its own challenges. It’s a role that requires the mental resilience to provide empathy and support.

Since July MKHP has offered access to a Wellbeing Therapist in a safe and confidential environment to frontline volunteers working with homeless people at SMART CJS during the pandemic. Covid-19 has put additional stress on all of us and although we are focussed on the wellbeing of the guests we support, we are also concerned with the wellbeing of our volunteers.

MKHP want to continue to offer this support service to ALL frontline volunteers working with homeless people but many will not be aware that this support service exists. Maybe they have found themselves worrying more than normal, lying awake at night looking for solutions, or experiences during their shift is making them uncomfortable. It is often beneficial to talk this through with a third party.

The Milton Keynes Homelessness Partnership (MKHP) has secured the services of a local therapist who has volunteered her time to work specifically with the volunteers. As a Human Given Therapist she uses a short-term solution focussed approach which often only requires a single session. This is a complimentary service funded by MK Community Foundation (MKCF).

If you would like to offer this support service to your volunteers or you are a volunteer and would like to see how you might be referred, please contact MKHP’s Programme Manager Kate Mundle by email kate.mundle@mkhp.co.uk