My suspicion is that there’s not a lot like this in England. All it takes is vision. It doesn’t even cost more to have pretty duvet covers than drab ones.
Thank you for being won over. What is it about Australians that they are so generous to people in another country? (see discussion with BethofAus below.) And I would be interested to know what you find out.
There are a myriad of religious providers like Salvos, Vinnies, etc. but a few of the interesting niche options to support can be found via these links:
"I have always given all income from this Substack to this shelter...When my son told me he was volunteering at a homeless shelter, I imagined a dreary grey place, looking rundown and smelling of cabbage, bleach and, perhaps, worse.
I wondered how he could have any enthusiasm for going there on a weekly basis.
Then, just out of curiosity, I went to their website –"
I found it interesting that you gave to this shelter yet never bothered to see what kind of place you gave to until your son told you he was volunteering.
It's also interesting that you gave money to this shelter yet wondered how your son could volunteer in person. I'm not judging, I just found it interesting.
You are completely on the wrong track. The conversation with my son and my subsequent checking the website all happened long before I had begun this Substack, which was two years ago. I did not set up paid subscriptions until a year ago. Does that explain your conundrum?
Yes, I put all these pictures up to show potential payers, but it occurred to me that it is also nice for those of you who already pay to see what you pay for. I haven't yet been there, but they do seem to be incredibly caring and my son looks forward to going there (despite having a full time job as an academic!)
I suspect it balances out the academic part of your son’s brain. I love volunteering now that I’ve retired. I still do things like IT support and spreadsheet work, but the mix works so well with people-oriented roles too. Both give great joy.
(And I’ve already shared the photos with friends who were talking about living conditions in Hong Kong. Their permanent capsule accommodation is less appealing than this place. So helpful to people’s self-esteem to have access to such facilities. Add in supportive people and life can potentially take a turn for the better. Let’s hope.)
You are a wise old bird (I forget if you have ever mentioned your age, but you are not in the first flush of youth!). Yes, I think it is a wonderful balance for him and for anyone – and I am equally proud of him for both activities. I volunteered for four years in a hospice and loved the work. I thought about donating my Substack income to that, but the one I volunteered in was actually very well off (attached to a private hospital). Interesting comparison with Hong Kong!
I’m still a comparative youngster at 66 but definitely well past youth thank goodness. 😅 I was incredibly lucky to retire in my mid-50s and am finding this time of life to be the absolute Best. 🤗🤗
Now I’m doubly glad to have supported your fundraising drive. There’s nothing like this where I live.
My suspicion is that there’s not a lot like this in England. All it takes is vision. It doesn’t even cost more to have pretty duvet covers than drab ones.
You’ve won me over!
Seasons greetings all the way from the Bass Coast, Victoria, Australia.
It makes me wonder if we have such facilities here in Oz; I’ll explore and report!
Thank you for being won over. What is it about Australians that they are so generous to people in another country? (see discussion with BethofAus below.) And I would be interested to know what you find out.
Homeless solutions in Australia
There are a myriad of religious providers like Salvos, Vinnies, etc. but a few of the interesting niche options to support can be found via these links:
Melbourne: https://streetsmartaustralia.org/ and https://juno.org.au/access-points/
Brisbane: https://www.micahprojects.org.au/
Sydney: https://youthoffthestreets.com.au/
Adelaide: https://www.huttstcentre.org.au/
Australia wide: https://orangesky.org.au/ providing showers and laundry services
I’ve chosen a few to match my contribution to Shelter from the Storm.
very kind. I'm sure they'll appreciate it. Merry Christmas
"I have always given all income from this Substack to this shelter...When my son told me he was volunteering at a homeless shelter, I imagined a dreary grey place, looking rundown and smelling of cabbage, bleach and, perhaps, worse.
I wondered how he could have any enthusiasm for going there on a weekly basis.
Then, just out of curiosity, I went to their website –"
I found it interesting that you gave to this shelter yet never bothered to see what kind of place you gave to until your son told you he was volunteering.
It's also interesting that you gave money to this shelter yet wondered how your son could volunteer in person. I'm not judging, I just found it interesting.
You are completely on the wrong track. The conversation with my son and my subsequent checking the website all happened long before I had begun this Substack, which was two years ago. I did not set up paid subscriptions until a year ago. Does that explain your conundrum?
My mistake and my apologies.
A wonderful place. 🤗🤗
Yes, I put all these pictures up to show potential payers, but it occurred to me that it is also nice for those of you who already pay to see what you pay for. I haven't yet been there, but they do seem to be incredibly caring and my son looks forward to going there (despite having a full time job as an academic!)
I suspect it balances out the academic part of your son’s brain. I love volunteering now that I’ve retired. I still do things like IT support and spreadsheet work, but the mix works so well with people-oriented roles too. Both give great joy.
(And I’ve already shared the photos with friends who were talking about living conditions in Hong Kong. Their permanent capsule accommodation is less appealing than this place. So helpful to people’s self-esteem to have access to such facilities. Add in supportive people and life can potentially take a turn for the better. Let’s hope.)
You are a wise old bird (I forget if you have ever mentioned your age, but you are not in the first flush of youth!). Yes, I think it is a wonderful balance for him and for anyone – and I am equally proud of him for both activities. I volunteered for four years in a hospice and loved the work. I thought about donating my Substack income to that, but the one I volunteered in was actually very well off (attached to a private hospital). Interesting comparison with Hong Kong!
I’m still a comparative youngster at 66 but definitely well past youth thank goodness. 😅 I was incredibly lucky to retire in my mid-50s and am finding this time of life to be the absolute Best. 🤗🤗
btw, you might enjoy my correspondence with Greg Carman on this thread, a fellow Australian.
W
Here is this shelter ? Is it in Uk ?
Yes, in London. Isn’t it gorgeous!