- Matthew 6
Are you interested in voluntary work?
Do you have a desire to work with the most vulnerable in society?
Do you wish to put your faith into practice?
Lots of students are interested in getting involved in voluntary work and make a difference but often don't know how to start or where to go. If that sounds a bit like you, then we would like to talk to you! We can help you to make contact with local organisations and accompany you to the placement so you do not have to go alone the first time you make a visit. We can help you with the application process and make sure that you get the most from your time. We will also enable you to discuss any issues which arise from the placement to make sure that it is a fulfilling and enriching experience.
The Missionaries of Charity in Liverpool offer hospitality to the homeless community. Volunteers assist the work of the Missionaries of Charity in giving out food. After the clients finish their food they often have another cup of tea and a cake and then start to disperse. The volunteers then wash up the dishes, sweep and mop the floor and clean the tables. Some volunteers go around the dining-room and pour out tea for people. On occasion a client may be drunk and become somewhat agitated; on these occasions the nuns step in and sort out the situation. Whilst it can be quite daunting going into the Missionaries of Charity ‘soup-kitchen’ at first, volunteers often say they become more confident as the weeks go on, and look forward to returning week after week.
L’Arche is a Christian community where disabled and able bodied adults live together in community. Many of the ‘core-members’ in L’Arche work in ‘workshops’, where they make candles, paint pots, make art works or work in the garden. Volunteers in L’Arche assist in the workshops; they build up relationships with the ‘core-members’ spending time as part of the community for a day a week. Many volunteers find that the ‘core-members’ lead them to grow spiritually and in doing so, move beyond their original notion that they will be going to ‘help’ and discover that the core-members have helped them reconnect with their humanity.
If so then email Marie-Therese ( laceym@hope.ac.uk). You are always welcome to pop in to the Chaplaincy for a cup of tea and a chat and talk with either Philip or Marie-Therese about volunteering.
Liverpool Hope is a Fairtrade University, that means we try to think of where the products we buy come from, especially those sourced from Developing countries, and ensure that the farmers get a fair deal. If you are interested in raising awareness of these issues or just want to know more get in touch with either Marie-Therese or Philip.