Donate Your Time
Our mission is built on the kindness and energy of local people. Whether you have a few hours a week to serve a hot meal or professional skills to help lead our charity, your time is the most valuable gift you can give to the Devizes community.
Become a Volunteer
Join our frontline team to prepare meals, offer a friendly ear to guests, and help our centre run smoothly during weekly sessions.
Become a Trustee
Share your professional expertise and strategic vision to help govern our charity and shape the future of support in Devizes.
Become a Community Fundraiser
Use your creativity to host events, take on personal challenges, or coordinate local collections to keep our doors open.
Charity Volunteer
I was right, a lot of people who come to Devizes Opendoors have been mentally scarred by unhappy childhoods, adult relationship breakups or ptsd after serving in the armed forces.
Catherine
The Impact of Volunteering
The following article was written by one of our regular volunteers.
My decision to volunteer for Opendoors came from an unusual ‘place’ compared to most people. I have been living in Devizes since 2008, through Scouting I was aware of the Sleep Out but didn’t really give it much thought. Compared to walking down the South Bank in the early 80’s and seeing beggars in London and Paris, homelessness was barely visible here.
My involvement was triggered by my experience of helping a close family member with mental illness deal with benefit reassessments. This made me realise how precarious people’s situations can become through no fault of their own and encouraged me to start volunteering a few years ago. Addiction to drugs or alcohol may occur, but the root cause of the addiction is the need to numb the feelings and find solace.
It is also crazy to think that a homeless person should tackle their addictions before being considered fit to be on a housing list, where is the incentive to stay ‘clean’ or sober when you are chilled to the bone?
I enjoy attending Opendoors meal sessions because of the company, the people I chat with are intelligent and interesting and can certainly take a joke! I do the cooking about once a month which is a challenge considering that I usually cater for 5, not 25! We have a freezer in the parish rooms which is often full with food donated by supermarkets so we have the challenge of meal planning with what is available on the day; which goes some small way in also tackling the issue of food waste. It is frightening to think that we hear of mothers going without food because of benefit sanctions and UC delays, let alone the homeless, when supermarkets have so much food left over…
The other important aspect of Opendoors is our support in helping people do the kind of life admin skills most of us take for granted such as registering at a surgery or getting a bank account, as well as being supported to get on the homelessness register and bidding on the Homes4Wiltshire website. There is scope for a great deal more voluntary support at Opendoors, given the limited public funds available to pay council outreach workers. It is very rewarding and if anyone enjoys research and advice type roles we would like to hear from you!
Volunteering at Opendoors does make you realise what a blessing it is to have a roof over your head, the thing that gets to me most is thinking ‘I can go home now, cook, feed the cat, talk to my family, read or sit in the garden, what are they going to do with the rest of their day or night?
Choosing A Role That You Are Comfortable With
Volunteering at Opendoors isn’t a “one size fits all” commitment. We believe in matching your unique interests and comfort levels with the needs of our guests. When you join us, you have the opportunity to identify which specific roles you would like to be considered for—you are not expected to handle every aspect of our sessions.
Depending on your preferences, you could choose to focus on:
Befriending & Support: Being a consistent, friendly presence for our guests, helping them feel heard and assisting them in accessing advice from other agencies.
Kitchen & Food Service: Taking a practical lead in preparing and serving hot meals, or managing the collection and organisation of food supplies.
Practical Facilities: Helping guests access essential services, such as our shower and laundry facilities, or assisting in the clothing store.
Whether you prefer the energy of the kitchen or the focus of a one-to-one conversation, we work with you to ensure your role is rewarding and fits your strengths. You will always be part of a wider team, ensuring that while you focus on your chosen area, the session as a whole is fully supported.
The Induction Process
Your Initial Visit
The first step is simply to come and see what we do. Arrange a visit to a session where you’ll receive a Volunteer Welcome Pack containing your handbook and application forms.
Paperwork & DBS
Once you’ve decided to join us, return your completed forms. We will then begin processing your DBS (Background Check) and reaching out to your references.
Induction & Mentoring
You’ll be invited to an induction meeting to discuss the roles you’re interested in. We often pair you with a mentor or buddy to support you as you learn.
Shadowing & Safety
While we finalize the formalities, you can start shadowing experienced team members during sessions to “try your hand” at different roles and complete basic safety training.
Joining the Rota
Once your checks are cleared, you’ll be officially added to the Volunteer Rota based on your availability and begin your ongoing development through our training programme.
Charity Trustee
Help Lead Our Mission
Become a Trustee
Are you looking for a way to use your professional skills to create lasting change? Our Trustees are the guardians of Devizes Opendoors, responsible for the strategic direction, financial health, and legal governance of the charity.
This role is ideal for those who enjoy research, strategy, and problem-solving. By joining our Board, you help ensure that we remain sustainable, compliant, and ready to meet the evolving needs of our guests. We welcome diverse perspectives and professional backgrounds – from finance and law to marketing and lived experience.
- Commitment: Regular board meetings and strategic planning.
- Impact: Shape the future of local homeless support.
Charity Fundraiser
Fuel Our Future
Community Fundraising
If you love bringing people together or taking on personal challenges, community fundraising is a fantastic way to support us. You don’t need to be at the centre to make a difference; you can raise vital funds and awareness wherever you are.
Whether it’s hosting a coffee morning in your street, running a marathon, or organising a collection at your workplace, every penny you raise goes directly toward our running costs. We provide the stories and the mission; you provide the energy and the community spirit!
- Commitment: Flexible – one-off events or ongoing projects.
- Impact: Keep our doors open and our kitchen stocked.
Frequently Asked Questions