Not “driving home for Christmas”? Then take a look at these Sussex-based Christmas volunteering roles…

Cards for Good Causes, Christmas Volunteer (Brighton)
The role:
Join Cards for Good Causes, selling charity Christmas cards in community locations such as churches, schools, libraries and town halls. You will be:
• re-stocking cards
• maintaining stock records
• using the till and accepting payment by cash, cheque and credit card where applicable (training provided).
This could be a great opportunity to get a taster of the retail sector, develop your customer service skills and meet volunteers from other charities; and help over 25 charities to raise much needed funds.
Time commitment:
The minimum commitment is three 3 hour sessions over the trading period of the shop.  We would be grateful though if you could spare more time.

Snowflake Shelter, Night Shelter Volunteer (Hastings)
The role:
This night shelter facility, provided by a group of local Communities co-operating together, offers supervised overnight accommodation, an evening meal and a light breakfast to local homeless and vulnerable people who would otherwise be rough sleeping during the extreme winter months (November 2016 to March 2017 inclusive) on the streets of Hastings and St Leonards.  Volunteers are needed to:
• prepare the night shelter (which might include any/all of food preparation, setting up camp beds, dining tables etc, setting out games/newspapers)
• engage with Guests in a non-judgemental manner so as to engender respect and self esteem
• supervise overnight
• prepare and serve light refreshments through the night and a light breakfast in the morning
• pack away the shelter and its kit into the Trust’s van ready for transport to the next location for the following night’s shelter.
Time commitment:
The Shelter will operate three shifts per night – evening shift (6:00pm-10:30pm), night shift (10:15pm-7:00am) and morning shift (6.45am-8:45am). One shift allocated per week or as the volunteer requests.  Exact requirements for shifts over Christmas and New Year are determined closer to this time.

Surviving Christmas, Hamper and Event Volunteer (Hastings and Bexhill)
The role:
Surviving Christmas is a local charity based in Hastings supporting vulnerable people and families in the Hastings, Bexhill and surrounding area at Christmas. What Help is Needed?
•    Befriending – this is probably one of our most important jobs. Taking time to simply sit quietly with our guests. Talking to them and taking time to listen to what they have to say
•    Hosting – engaging with our guests throughout the 2 day event and answering their queries and directing them to the appropriate areas within the venue
•    Clothing store – sorting and assisting with restocking the clothing as well as distributing it at the two day open event
•    Hamper Packing– packing over 600 hampers to be delivered to recipients in Hastings, Bexhill and surrounding areas
•    Hamper Delivery –drivers are needed to deliver the packed hampers to the recipients. You will need a current driving licence and be able to drive a transit van
•    Tea Bars – help is required with our two tea bars which serve hot and cold drinks as well as snacks
•    Catering – hot and cold food preparation is needed for the two day event. Volunteers for this section will need catering experience, and be able to demonstrate that they have a current food hygiene
•    Serving/Clearing up – help is needed to help serve food to our guests and clear/wash up the dishes at the two day event
•    Entertainment – we aim to provide entertainment throughout the 2 day event and any volunteers with any specific talents are more than welcome to take part
•    Running errands – help required on all dates for general tasks
We want your time with us to be fun. Food and refreshments are available for volunteers throughout.
Time commitment:
The role starts two or three days before Christmas Day and finishes the day after Boxing Day. Space and timescales for some roles can be limited therefore we may allocate you to areas you haven’t requested to work in as suits the project. If you have a concern with this or are unable to work in a specific role please let us know.

RNIB, Christmas Fundraising Volunteer (places available across East and West Sussex)
The role:
Can you join us for a couple of hours at our fun and sociable Christmas collections raising money to support people with sight loss? You can volunteer at one of our many events including carol singing, collections are train stations or stores and shopping centres. Due to insurance requirements, you must be aged 18 to collect, but Carol Singers of all ages are welcome. What Will You Be Doing? – Help with bucket collections; Being the face of RNIB Group; Raising Awareness of RNIB Group. What Skills/Experience Are Needed? – Ability to use your own initiative; Friendly, confident and outgoing; Team working. What Will You Gain from the Role? – A chance to make a difference; Experience of fundraising; Meeting new people; New experiences and skills. What Support Will You Be Given? – Induction; Expenses; Supervision and help from your Manager; Support from Volunteers and Staf
Time commitment:
Two hours per event, flexible.

Please contact the University of Brighton’s Volunteering Service, Active Student: https://about.brighton.ac.uk/careers/volunteer/contact-active-student/