As a Shelter Host, you’re the welcoming face of the night shelter. You’ll help set up, support guests, and keep things running smoothly — always with a smile and a listening ear. Every shift has a different flavour, and you can choose what suits you best.
Evening Shift: 6pm – 10pm
A fun and sociable shift to be part of! Tasks will include:
- Set up the venue (beds, towels, tables, and more).
- Join the team briefing with the Shift Leader and Coordinator (if on site).
- Welcome and check in guests.
- Share a meal and spend time with guests.
- Occasionally, at some venues, you may be asked to travel with the Coordinator to the Support Centre in Wycombe to help welcome guests, do a few admission checks, and support their journey to the venue. You’ll then return with the Coordinator for the rest of your shift.
Night Shift: 9.30pm – 7am
The night shift ensures a safe and calm enviroment for our shelter guests. Volunteers for this shift in particular are most welcome! Tasks include:
- Join the team briefing with the Shift Leader.
- Help guests settle for the night and keep a calm, quiet atmosphere.
- Take turns resting — you’ll sleep in 3–4 hour shifts while two volunteers are always awake to ensure guest safety and respond if needed
Morning Shift: 6.30am – 8.30am
The morning shift suits early birds! Tasks include:
- Join the team briefing with the Night Shift Leader.
- Help serve breakfast.
- Make sure guests are ready to leave on time.
- Clean and reset the venue, then help load the shelter van.
Across all shifts, you’ll also…
- Create a warm, supportive atmosphere for our guests.
- Supervise practical needs like smoking breaks, showers, or laundry.
- Step in if emergencies arise (with full support and guidance from leaders).
Reserve Hosts
Sometimes life happens, and a volunteer can’t make their shift. That’s where our Reserves come in — flexible, on-call helpers who can step in if someone is unavailable. Signing up as a Reserve is a huge support to the shelter and helps everything run smoothly.
What you’ll do:
Be on call until 7.00pm (evening shift), 10.00pm (night shift), or 7.00am (morning shift) and step in if a Host can’t attend.
Please consider offering to be a reserve if you can!
Interested in being a Deputy Shift Leader?
We have a new role this year! Deputy Shift leaders are hosts who are willing to step in to the Shift Leader role if the Shift Leader isn't available at short notice.
They will attend the Shift Leader training at the end of one of the in-person general training sessions and have a chat with our team to see how it all works.
Interested?
Make sure you're registered either as a new or returning volunteer then sign up to come to one of our in-person training events. Whether you're new or returning there's essential information - some of which has changed from last year!