Fuddland

The first night at Crisis was fantastic: lovely volunteer people, and genuinely grateful [for the most part] guests. I was really nervous to begin with, and for extra fun my first task [with my fun new pal Sarah — you’re always with at least one other volunteer on any given duty] was to shut down the TV area nearest the sleeping tents, pulling the plug on the telly and asking people if they wouldn’t mind awfully moving to the other side of the arena. As you might expect, and they had my sympathies entirely, this was met with a few protests, but eventually everyone complied.

Other duties throughout the night: being a “runner” for the toilet/shower areas, fetching supplies from the store cupboard [nice and relaxed: they hardly needed anything, so I spent most of the time folding clean towels into bags with the lovely Kelly]; guarding the volunteers’ entrance/exit [a bit cold but kept warm with foot-stamping and chatting to a very sweet girl called Gemma who was very pleased to have finally turned eighteen and been allowed to volunteer]; and finally, a general clean-up of the sleeping area: folding blankets, stacking beds etc.

Everyone was really friendly and, as we were told at the debriefing, the night passed without any major incidents — a few of the guests’ tempers got a bit frayed but I’m hoping that was just first-night jitters. I didn’t feel as tired as I thought I might do — plenty of tea at every given opportunity certainly helped that. In fact, the only low point was when I bit into a small pie thinking it was going to be a mince pie, only to discover it was apple. Very disappointing!

If I was ever in any doubt that the efforts of Crisis are futile, those were surely blown away by the guest who strolled up to me and two other volunteers, took our hands in turn and thanked us all for giving up our Christmases for him. Warm fuzzy feelings aplenty!

[Aside: plural of Christmas, anyone? Christmases? Christmasses? Christmi?]

I’ve had a bit of a sleep today, and am feeling okay for another night, but I’ve a feeling this one may be a bit longer than the first. And there’s the added of fun of no public transport tomorrow morning!

Merry Christmas everybody.

The following is an entry which follows on from the above:

1. Crisis Open Christmas nights two and three [Fuddland]. Excerpt: Volunteering for Crisis continues to be a terrific experience; even though I have only seen the night-shift in operation, when there are nothing like as many activities and events happening throughout the shelter, it is still impressive how things are...

#1

Vera | 2005 / 12 / 26 – 13:33

Hi, I hope you keep having a great time!!! And if one of your guests is called “Barry” say Hi from Oz!!! He is my half brother (homeless) whom I have just found in London and he told me he was going to the Crisis on Christmas at London Arena. I wished I could go as well….. so we could meet.
Vera in Australia

#2

David | 2005 / 12 / 27 – 11:31

Re #1: Thanks Vera, I will keep an eye out for Barry and pass on your Christmas greetings if I happen to see him. :)

#3

Vera | 2005 / 12 / 28 – 06:58

Hi David, I read about your next blog. Sounds very interesting. Barry did ring me today on his mobile phone. A homeless person has a mobile phone - very funny!!! Anyway, he told me it was excellent, that he had just got new clothes and seen the Doctor. He also said the food was great and he had been sober for 3 days (sounds like that is a first!!). Anyway, I am just glad that for a few days he is looked after before he heads back to Tralfagar Square (his home). Take care. Regards, Vera

#4

sarah | 2006 / 01 / 03 – 19:43

Hey David,
I just found your website! and you included me and Kelly!!
So just thought i would say hi, and happy new year, and good luck for 2006! Have a brill time in China, im sure you will be fab! I hope you have recovered from the sleep distruption! Anyhow, Take care, Sarah (the crazy one from your first shift!) xxx

#5

David | 2006 / 01 / 03 – 20:25

Re #4: Ooh, you found me. Good job I didn’t write what I was originally going to write about you. ;) Happy New Year to you too!

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