We had the pleasure of hosting volunteers from one of our Business Champions, Heidelberg Materials, in the kitchen on Tuesday. Millie, Khia, and Shauna all work in sales at Heidelberg, but were more than happy to step up to the cooker, helping out with making breakfast, serving teas and coffees, cooking dinner, and serving the guests.
This is not the first time Heidelberg Materials have worked with us here at The Bridge. As a Business Champion we have had the pleasure of working together for fundraisers, previous volunteering days, and donation collections. Over 40 members of staff participated in our most recent 'Big Sleep' fundraiser, and raised an amazing £13,630 for us. The incredible impact of their continuous support means we can keep up the important work we do here, such as funding the mental health and wellbeing support we offer, staffing case workers who are here for guests to help with any issues they may have, and simply offering a safe space for guests to have a shower and get a hot meal.
We talked to Millie, Khia, and Shauna about how they found the experience of volunteering.
‘Eye-Opening’
‘Rewarding’
One volunteer opened up that they had previously had a negative experience with a person experiencing homelessness and wanted to prove to herself that the entire community isn’t like that. She found all the guests were lovely and approachable. Another expressed that the day made them realise just how much they take for granted, and that they love giving back to the community.
When asked if they would do it again, the answer was a resounding yes!
The Bridge could not function without the many volunteers that give up their time to help us in the kitchen, the storeroom, or working reception. We are very grateful to Heidelberg Materials for the continuous support we receive from them, and we hope to see Millie, Khia, and Shauna again soon.
If you are interested in volunteering at The Bridge, please find details and apply here: https://www.bridgeleicester.org/volunteer
And if you are a business that would like to connect and work together, don’t hesitate to contact us: kate@bridgeleicester.com
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