Welcome to Devizes Opendoors
Recruiting for a new post
Befriender Co-ordinator (part-time)
10 hrs per week £12 per hour 1 year contract (initially)
Closing date August 14th 2020. Interviews will be held on August 25th 2020.
Opendoors wants to appoint a suitably experienced, skilled and motivated individual to the new role of Befriender Co-ordinator, to complete our team of 3 dedicated paid staff, 50 or so volunteers as well as active Trustees, all working to meet the many and complex needs of our guests.
The Befriender Co-ordinator will oversee the Befriender scheme which involves specific experienced volunteers working 1-1 with individual guests. They will organise and support those volunteers, as well as develop a range of more targeted and constructive activities for the guests.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification.
Then please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. your CV and a letter of application. The postal address, if required, is St John’s Parish Office, Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NN
Our response to the Coronavirus (Covid 19)
Our four sessions per week have become three. These take place at the usual times but not the usual place. The Wharf car park, not at St. John's Parish Rooms, is where the guests come to. We have stuck with our usual days: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays but are now operating a Delivery / Pick Up Service and it is just for homeless people. This new scheme started on 3rd April and is set to continue indefinitely. In the first week, the average attendance was five.
Each session runs like this: one person cooks on their own in St. John's kitchen. Another delivers the hot meals and other food supplies to the Wharf car park, Another helps with the distribution of the food, laundry tickets and post and also helps to maintain the 2 metre social distancing rule. Foodbank referral forms are also made available. Conversations about clothing, benefits and housing needs take place. Turning Point staff also attend from time to time.
Volunteers who are prepared to be involved in this way have already been contacted but we are also looking for some new volunteers. The scheme will carry on as long as it meets real needs. If more people become homeless (for whatever reason) they could 'replace' those who have recently moved on to better things.
We will continue to keep the Rough Sleepers team at County Hall informed of those we know who are rough sleeping. County will continue to follow these up and hopefully provide suitable, if temporary, accommodation, especially in the case of those with underlying health issues (all of them?).
Please text or phone 07828 041152 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you think you can help.
What is Devizes Opendoors?
It is a charity that has been set up to help people in the Devizes Community Area to find solutions to homelessness; to offer support to local people when they are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and to benefit local individuals in need, including the marginalised and vulnerable.
Opendoors exists 100% for the benefit of others, in particular those who are homeless or at risk of becoming so. For the last few years it has provided three cooked meals a week at St. John’s Parish Rooms, Long Street and there are about 15 – 20 people there at most sessions. Along with the good food and company there is the chance of a shower and a few other things (see Opening Times).
The guests are a mixture of rough sleepers, those sleeping in sheds, vans and old boats, sofa surfers and those with their own homes but with issues that can make their tenancies vulnerable.
The team has two paid staff, a coordinator and a deputy coordinator, and over 50 volunteers on a rota with 7 - 9 on per session. Together they prepare the food and the hall, welcome the guests and chat, serve meals and discuss issues in one-to-one conversations. Concerns that get followed up include health (mental and physical) issues, alcohol and drug dependency, criminal activity, financial matters and of course, housing issues.
Like to find out more about? Click to download our Spring 2020 Volunteer Newsletter.
A series of articles about those who access Opendoors services, and those who provide them.
Thank You
Once again we have to say a BIG THANK YOU to so many people. Thanks to all members of the public who have donated clothing and food. This has been invaluable in helping us to keep our services going during these challenging times. Thanks to Sasha of www.chestnutsfarm.com who are a Community Supported Agriculture project for supplying us with some lovely fresh vegetables. And finally, this week a big shout out to Calne Town Council www.calne.gov.uk who have very kindly supplied us with 100 face masks. This is so very much appreciated! If you would like more information about Devizes Opendoors, or feel that you would like to support us in anyway, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Volunteer Opportunity
Be a Devizes Opendoors Befriender
Give a homeless person a hand up - not a handout
This autumn we are looking for people who can empathise and encourage.
We provide full training and you will join a supportive team of volunteer Befrienders.
Please click here to find out more, or contact John Saunders:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
07828 041152
Contact Details
If you are homeless, know someone who is, or concerned about someone at risk of becoming homeless we might be able to help. Please call: 07493 825258
To speak to a member of the team during our regular opening times please call: 07722 096046
If you are interested in volunteeering with us please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You might also like to take a look at our Volunteer section, where you can find more information or download our Spring 2020 Volunteer Newsletter.
Any other enquiries? Please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to our Contact Page.
