Credit: Elizabeth Rose & Matt Cornel.
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Meet the NHS workers volunteering at Christmas to help homeless people

Helping others ‘gives you back everything you put in and extra on top’

A NURSE support worker and a paramedic will be spending Christmas day volunteering at The Wallich’s Sir Julian Hodge homeless hostel in Adamsdown, Cardiff.  

But what motivates them to give up their Christmas after caring for others all year, and why did they choose to support The Wallich?  

The nurse support worker 

Elizabeth Rose Heard, 56, of Newport is a support worker for the district nursing team. 

She joined the NHS in 2005 and has worked in different hospitals and community-based roles.  

“I love community work, you get to meet some amazing people! The team I work with are pretty dedicated people, I’m proud to be a part of it. 

“I wanted to do something to show solidarity with what’s happening to people across the country. The hardship and uncertainty that so many people are facing now,” she said.  

Mrs Heard said she often visits people in their homes as a part of her job. 

“I get to see first-hand how many people are really struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, and the toll it takes on people emotionally and physically, as well as financially.  

“It’s all around us and I think the time has come to pool resources and pull together. It isn’t enough to stand by and observe with sympathy — this could happen to any of us in these current times,” she said. 

We are all vulnerable, the difference being whether somebody extends a hand to help you back to your feet.

Elizabeth Heard

Mrs Heard has volunteered since she was a teenager and researched several charities before choosing The Wallich. 

“You meet such a diverse array of people through immersing yourself in community volunteering. It really humbles you, and makes you appreciate simple blessings in life that you get through human connection. It gives you back everything you put in and extra on top,” she said. 

“People experience homelessness through a variety of causes, the sorts of things most of us are vulnerable to. I have come to know several of the people who sleep rough locally to me and heard their stories. We are all vulnerable, the difference being whether somebody extends a hand to help you back to your feet.  

“We are becoming less and less social, and more insular. I would like to be part of a movement to bring the community back to life. Just listening and giving a little of your time makes a huge difference,” she said. 

The paramedic 

Christmas is the time of year that lonelier people are the loneliest and regardless of the situation you are in Christmas should be a joyful time of year. It is the season of goodwill.

Matt Cornell

Kate Griffiths, 22, a paramedic will also be volunteering at the hostel on Christmas day with her boyfriend Matt Cornell, 26, who told The Cardiffian about their plans. 

“Kate is new to volunteering but is something she has always wanted to do. We feel this support will act as a reminder to the homeless that someone is thinking of them at Christmas. 

“Christmas is the time of year that lonelier people are the loneliest and regardless of the situation you are in Christmas should be a joyful time of year. It is the season of goodwill. 

“We hope this becomes a Christmas tradition for ourselves for many years to come,” he said. 

What the Wallich does

The Wallich is a Welsh homelessness and rough-sleeping charity which supports more than 7,000 people experiencing homelessness each year.  It runs over 100 projects across 18 authorities. 

The Sir Julian Hodge Hostel was the first hostel opened by The Wallich. 

“In tough times, it can be hard to know what to do to help people. It’s always worth enquiring about volunteering in your local area,” said Jamie-Lee Cole, brand and communications manager for The Wallich.    

“At The Wallich, we’re generally overwhelmed with offers to share skills or combat loneliness amongst people we support.”

To donate to The Wallich click here. 

The Sir Julian Hodge Hostel 

In 1978, The Wallich opened the Sir Julian Hodge Hostel, its first hostel. It has 25 bedrooms and gives shelter and support to single people experiencing homelessness.  

Residents meet with a support worker who offers help with personal development, access to services, and advice on looking for permanent accommodation.  

Each resident has access to private space and shared communal living spaces to help them build their social skills and take part in group activities. 

The shelter also accommodates dogs to prevent distress caused by separating owners from their pets. 

Resident Simon Dando in the kitchen Credit: The Wallich.
Resident enjoying pizza in kitchen. Credit: The Wallich

So, how can you get involved? 

The Christmas Day volunteer places in Cardiff are now full, but if you’d like to volunteer in the future email volunteers@thewallich.net. 

The Wallich is running a winter raffle with tickets for £2. To enter click here. 

The raffle closes on January 17 and the draw will be announced on January 31. If you enter you could win the following prizes: 

A £10 book of tickets can help support people experiencing cold in their homes with an emergency fuel top-up and buying or selling four books could provide individuals and families with two weeks of basic food shopping.  

If you would like to become a community seller for the raffle email dosomething@thewallich.net or ring 02921 508 800.  

The Wallich lottery costs £1 per entry to get the chance of winning £25,000 and other prizes every week. To enter click here. 

If you sign up, you are given a six digit-number and each Friday a winning six-digit number is drawn.  

  • If you have six digits in the correct place you win £25,000 
  • If you have five digits in the correct place you win £1,000 
  • If you have four digits in the correct place you win £25 
  • If you have three digits in the correct place you win five entries for the next draw 

How can this support someone experiencing or at risk of homelessness? 

  • £4 a month can buy someone an essential home starter kit 
  • £4 a month could help someone access a therapeutic counselling session