St Mary’s in Finchley is looking for volunteers to help run its Winter Night Shelter, supporting 15–17 guests with a safe, warm place to stay on Sunday nights during November and December.

There are lots of different ways to help, so you don’t need to stay overnight or commit to every week. Sign up to this GoodGym Community Mission if you’re interested in getting involved, and then contact the shelter team directly with the dates and roles you can offer.

The shelter will run on:

Sunday 8 November Sunday 15 November Sunday 22 November Sunday 29 November Sunday 6 December Sunday 13 December Sunday 20 December

Ways you can help

Volunteers are needed for a range of roles, including:

• Helping coordinate the evening team, 5.30–10pm
• Cooking or providing dinner and dessert for up to 17 guests
• Serving dinner and hot drinks and helping clear up, 6–10pm
• Staying overnight with another volunteer, 9.30pm–6.30am
• Preparing and serving breakfast, 6.30–8.30am
• Helping with cleaning from 8.30–9am
• Transporting bedding to another Barnet venue on Monday mornings – a large car or van is particularly useful

You can volunteer for just one session or several, and the more people who get involved, the easier it is for everyone.

Training will be provided by Homeless Action in Barnet on Zoom at 7pm on Wednesday 14 October. A copy of the presentation can be sent to anyone unable to attend.

How to volunteer

Please email wintershelter@stmaryatfinchley.org.uk by Sunday 11 October, giving:

your full name, phone number and email address, the date or dates you can help, and which role or roles you are interested in.

If you can’t volunteer at the shelter itself, you can also offer to provide an evening meal for up to 17 guests.

A really worthwhile local project and a great opportunity for GoodGym Barnet members to lend a hand over the winter.