The Winter Shelter
The winter shelter runs from November to March, providing a safe and welcoming place to stay for people experiencing homelessness.
The shelter operates across a network of churches in Camden, with a different venue hosting each night of the week. Our volunteers are at the heart of the project, helping us provide a warm, friendly environment for our guests.
What does volunteering involve?
From preparing and serving meals to setting up beds and spending time chatting with guests, our volunteers play an essential role in making the shelter feel welcoming.
We have three types of shifts:
Evening shifts (6pm – 9pm): Preparing dinner, setting up beds, managing the shower rota and welcoming guests.
Overnight shifts (9pm – 7am): Staying overnight, making sure someone is present for our guests. You’re welcome to come earlier and have dinner altogether.
Morning shifts (7am–9am): Preparing breakfast, chatting with guests and helping tidy up.
You'll be volunteering as part of a team of incredible volunteers, with guidance and support from C4WS staff and experienced volunteer coordinators.
Hear from other volunteers
My highlight from this part of the C4WS shelter has been seeing the sense of community grow week by week not just among the guests, but across the whole team. Sharing meals, conversations, and small moments of joy together really stood out, especially seeing guests relax, laugh, and feel safe.
The most rewarding part of being involved with C4WS is knowing that even in a small way, we are helping to restore dignity, hope, and human connection. It’s about more than just providing a warm space it’s about being present, listening, and reminding people they are seen, valued, and not alone.
Gina, volunteer at the shelter
How to get involved?
We welcome new volunteers, known as Floating Volunteers, who can support different shelter venues depending on availability.
If you'd like to get involved, please email our Shelter Coordinator at perrine@c4wshomelessproject.org, telling us a little about yourself and why you'd like to volunteer.
We'll then send you our Volunteer Training Video, Volunteer Agreement and Policies & Procedures to complete before your first shift.
Additional volUNTEERING opportunities
Regular Monday volunteering:
We need 1-2 volunteers to support us on Monday mornings. We open up the office from 10am until 1pm each Monday to anybody who stays in our shelter and needs to do their laundry and take a shower.
We need somebody to:
Help guests access the showers and washing machine
manage the laundry and shower rota
serve teas and coffees
manage the donations room.
There will always be other staff present. We are happy to write references for anybody who volunteers.
Regular Tuesday volunteering:
We need 1-2 volunteer to support us on Tuesday mornings. We open up the office from 10am until 1pm each Tuesday to anybody who stays in our shelter and needs access to our therapy and osteopathy services.
We need somebody to:
manage the therapy and osteopathy rotas
serve teas and coffees
manage the donations room
We’re interested in hearing from you even if you are not available for the entire duration of the shelter! Please email our shelter coordinator perrine@c4wshomelessproject.org