Zoe Moffatt
Sunbury Winter Shelter members are calling for additional volunteers to help run overnight accommodation for those in need.
As the country passes through the middle of winter, the Sunbury shelter is continuing to provide hot meals, friendship, a place to charge electronics and find support.
Project co-ordinator Dianne Moon said the shelter had a slow start to winter but has gotten busier as the weather gets colder and more people find out about the service.
“Our start this year was slower than in previous years but … we are steady [at about] eight guests,” Ms Moon said.
“Once one [person] finds out the word spreads, [and] also the weather plays a role, when it gets colder more people are looking for warmth.”
Ms Moon said running overnight accommodation has been the focus this year and people who can volunteer for night shifts are essential to keep the service running.
“We put a lot of time and energy into recruiting this year [through] community activities [and] … handing out our business cards … to let people know about us.
“We will take as many volunteers who are willing to give up their warm bed for any of our shifts we need to cover, the more we have the smoother the program operates.
“During winter there are so many illnesses so you need an emergency list of volunteers to call upon at short notice.
“The hardest [shifts to fill] are the overnight and early morning shifts so we would welcome anyone who is able to donate some time… every bit of time helps.”
Ms Moon said it is important to offer this support to people in need and there are many different ways people can volunteer their time.
“[People] need a helping hand, someone to walk beside them to show them places that can help … [that’s] what we are doing with this program.
“[Giving] them a roof over their heads, a hot meal so that they can concentrate on connecting with the organisation that can help them.”
If you are not able to volunteer at the shelter, Ms Moon said cooking meals for the program, donating warm items, washing bed linen or driving the shelter’s trailer are other ways to help.
Details: sunburywintershelter.org.au/
Zoe Moffatt
