Become a Volunteer
Be part of a team
Catching Lives relies on the support of our volunteers to help provide a unique and vital service to our clients. As a small local charity, volunteers are essential to Catching Lives staying open every day of the week. Volunteers provide a friendly service and hot food from the kitchen which is at the heart of creating a safe, welcoming place where people can then get the help they need.
Catching Lives is run with a small staff team and we are very fortunate to have the help, on a daily basis, of a large and extremely supportive team of volunteers. This team includes students, job seekers, working and retired people; from backgrounds as diverse as teachers, administrators, professional chefs, church groups, gardeners and full-time carers.
Without the continuing support of our wonderful existing volunteer base, and that of the new volunteers that join us every month, it would not be possible to continue our work.
Why Volunteer?
Our community atmosphere at Catching Lives offers a great sense of wellbeing to everyone involved.
Want to get Involved?
Open Centre
Station Road East
Canterbury, CT1 2RB
Day Centre : 01227 464904
Daily : 9:00am - 2:00pm
shorter shifts also available
Talk to Volunteer Coordinator, Rosie, about current opportunities
Ways You Can Help
Volunteer in our Kitchen
Our kitchen is the heart of the Open Centre, and we are always looking for volunteers with basic cooking skills to help us prepare and serve breakfast and a hot lunch to our clients.
The kitchen shift is 8:30am – 13:30pm but shorter shifts are ok too!
502
Clients in 2023
291
New Clients in 2023
11,040
Total Visits in 2023
Client Activities
Help with afternoon activities is always welcome, and we can plan activities based on the interests and enthusiasm of the volunteers involved, along with the interests and enthusiasm of our clients! If you have a particular interest or skill to share, get in touch and let’s see what’s possible.
Activities usually take place between 2-4pm Monday-Friday (except for Wednesdays).
Popular activities include: cookery, gardening, yoga, creative writing, quizzes, and art activities.
We can agree a limited series of weekly or monthly sessions rather than an open-ended commitment.
Fundraising Volunteers
As a small, independent charity that relies largely on generous public donations, fundraising is an essential part of keeping the services and support we provide for our clients alive, and the doors of our day centre open every day of the week. We’d love to hear from anyone who can help with fundraising events or other fundraising ideas to bring in much-needed income for our Catching Lives.
Group Volunteering Days
We are very lucky to be supported by our community and welcome groups of people who are interested in taking part in our day to day operations.
If you are a part of a local community group or charity and would like to join Catching Lives for an organised day of volunteering, please see our Group Volunteer Day Guide
or email volunteer@catchinglives.org
For corporate group volunteer days, please see our Corporate Volunteer page.
Volunteer Project Workers
This highly rewarding role involves assisting our team of paid Project Workers in the core parts of the service, such as assessments, referrals and general engagement.
This is a specialist role, where training and support is offered, but it won’t be suited to everyone. To this end we ask that everyone interested in this role complete at least 3 months as a kitchen volunteer if you have no prior experience, or a minimum of 4 shifts as a kitchen volunteer if you have a background in social work, occupational therapy or similar roles. This gives you time to understand the support role better and get to know our clients, so you can decide if the role is right for you, and we’ll also be able to assess your skills for the role, for example around communication and boundaries.
Why Volunteer?
Our community atmosphere at Catching Lives offers a great sense of wellbeing to everyone involved.
Meet new people and make friends
Feel valued and part of a team
Get to know your local community
Spend quality time helping others
Develop confidence and self esteem
Develop new skills, knowledge and experience
Enhance your CV and improve your employment prospects
Make a difference to the lives of people who are homeless
Bookshop Volunteer
The amazing volunteer-run Catching Lives Bookshop is at 28 Palace Street, Canterbury, CT1 2DZ.
The building, known as the Crooked House, is an iconic landmark and open all week. Money generated from sales helps to fund Catching Lives. It’s a great place to find secondhand books for all ages, and for you to donate your pre-loved books. We also have an online eBay bookstore where you can find rare and high quality secondhand books at competitive prices.
You can find more information about the bookshop here
To apply to volunteer at the bookshop please contact 07899 458961
Current Volunteering Opportunities
Canterbury Community
Shelter Volunteers
Kitchen Volunteers
We're currently looking for day time volunteers in the kitchens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Shifts are 8:30am - 1:30pm
If you have time to spare on any of these days, please consider applying to be a part of our kitchen team!
Drivers, Evening Kitchen Team & Shelter Welcome Team
We have various roles available over the winter that will support the Canterbury Community Shelter. These roles could appeal to those with limited availability since the shifts ranges from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours before and after work.
Visiting the Canterbury Open Centre
If you're thinking of getting involved with Catching Lives and would like to visit the Canterbury Open Centre, please contact us to arrange a suitable time: 01227 464 904.
Download an Application form
If you would like to apply to be a volunteer, please download our application
form and email it to volunteer@catchinglives.org
Volunteer Drivers Needed!
We're in need of more volunteer drivers* to help in the logistics of running Canterbury Community Shelter. Drivers are a vital part in the smooth operations as they drop off and/ or collect our guests bedding to and from our centre and the venue each night/ morning.
This is the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in supporting Catching Lives but has limited time or is less comfortable in more people facing roles. We ask for just a 45 minute commitment at the beginning and/ or end of the day so works well around a traditional 9-5 job.
* Volunteers must have their own car, a valid license and valid insurance.
If interested, please contact Rosie at volunteer@catchinglives.org or give the centre a call on 01277 646 904.