HOMED project

The HOMED project allows health care students to visit homeless hostels up to twice a week to work with and support the residents. The aim is to increase awareness and involvement of students in issues surrounding homelessness and social exclusion. In doing this volunteers have provided advice, support, and company through activities such as cooking, using technology, painting, relaxation nights and crafts. Barbeque nights and Christmas themed evenings have also been very successful.

It was initially anticipated by the committee organising the programme that residents would request health advice from the students, however it turned out that it has not been very common that anything health related has been asked! Where volunteers are really able to offer support is by providing for a positive and non-judgemental interaction. It is hoped that they can offer alternative and complementary support for the residents and an opportunity to discuss any concerns or problems they may have with someone who isn’t directly connected to their situation i.e. not homeless or involved in the hostel.

By offering activities and refreshments our volunteers provide residents with company and hopefully distraction from their problems, and a variety of opportunities, along with a chance to socialise with their peers and the volunteers. As part of the role we also hope to offer continuity of support as students visit every week and if the residents are there for some time we hope it gives them something they have to look forward to.

This project is run by a committee of 10 student volunteers, and has 60 active volunteers. A total of 140 hours was spent volunteering on this project in this past year alone.

Below is feedback from the two homeless shelters where this project takes place.

Feedback from Bracken Court:

“No criticisms at all. The tenants look forwards to the students coming, it gives them a chance to get together. If they’ve got any problems they can talk to the students. Us as staff have absolutely no problem with the students, you see the tenants look forwards to it. They often isolate themselves and we don’t have the staff or time to go in to the conference room in the afternoon. It’s definitely a valuable thing.”              Ms E Tomlinson.

Feedback from Hollies:

“I think you do a good thing. The women are happy to do activities with you and they enjoy the incentive to do something. It would be useful if you came and put more advertising up around the hostel, but that’s all.”                  Sonja