Sangita’s Volunteering Experience

Sangita has been volunteering with StreetLink, a service that helps connect people who are sleeping rough with local services available to them.

Here she shares why she recommends volunteering and what is needed to achieve our aim of ending homelessness.

Why did you choose to volunteer with StreetLink?

The last few years, including during lockdown, I’ve had the most amazing opportunities in my life which have made me feel so blessed about my situation. I wanted to share the love and help those who are not so fortunate.

Can you describe what it’s like to volunteer at StreetLink?

Every call is so different – it’s great to get calls from members of the public, to know there are people who are willing to help others.

The phone calls can be really challenging – especially when the caller sounds scared or vulnerable but the gratitude and hope I hear in the callers voice makes me realise that just by being the one to have answered the call and listened, I may be making a difference to their life.

Do you have any moments with StreetLink that stand out?

One day I received a call from a delivery driver who helped someone who was sleeping rough in Luton to contact us. An hour later, the delivery driver called back to say they had brought the person back to London and would let them sleep in their van until the outreach team could get to them.

What else do you think is needed to achieve our aim of ending homelessness?

Ending homelessness starts with fixing what’s broken in society which leads to people sleeping rough; working with authorities and/or social services to make it easier for people to get the help and support they need, and having more temporary accommodation/shelters available in the meantime.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering with StreetLink?

Just do it! Compared to other volunteering helplines, the training & commitment is fairly straightforward and rewarding in a shorter space of time. And, of course, the staff are great, very helpful, supportive and fun!

Do you have a few hours to spare? Find out more about our volunteering opportunities here.