Digital Team support Homeless Connect warehouse and Bump-In
The fantastic Digital team were on hand again this year to offer their much needed support at the Homeless Connect warehouse and at the bump-in for Homeless Connect 2017 at Russell Square.
Homeless Connect, a one day event based on a one-stop-shop model of immediate service provision to homeless people, has been held over the last ten years. It connects government agencies, the corporate and community sectors, and volunteers in providing a diverse range of free essential services to people experiencing homelessness.
Free services include: Accommodation assistance; Support and counselling; Legal advice; Employment/training services; GP, dental, podiatry and optometry services; Massage & natural therapy treatments; A “free” shop facility with food, clothing, toiletries & household items; personal hygiene assistance (haircuts, showers and clothing); Identification (Births/Deaths/Marriages); Budget/financial counselling; Breakfast, morning tea and lunch service.
Preparing for Homeless Connect is an enormous logistical exercise, and therefore Woodside’s assistance was essential! On the Monday, the first team volunteered at the warehouse to help to organise and pack boxes of donations filled with clothing, shoes, toiletries and food, which were all brought over to the event site the next day. The second half of the Digital team volunteered at Russell square to help with setting up the clothing tent. This involved unloading the trucks which had arrived from the warehouse full of donations; unpacking boxes and sorting through all the donations; and setting up the clothing racks and displays all ready for the following day. After lunch the team finished setting up the clothing tent with a few final touches and also set up the book stall outside the marquee.
The amount of work that was accomplished in two days was absolutely incredible and the Homeless Connect team at both sites were so grateful for the support from Woodside. The team was so enthusiastic with all tasks, and accomplished everything that was asked of them, and more! Homeless Connect helped up to 2000 people in need the following day, and we could not have achieved this without the support provided by Woodside.
To see more of the team in action click on the following links: