EnglandA safe home is our foundation. It's where we thrive. Yet every day, the housing emergency is devastating people's lives across the UK. That's why Shelter and Veolia are working together to make sure that everyone has the foundation of home.
Over the next three years, we'll raise vital funds and awareness to help end the housing emergency. Together, we'll transform tomorrow for people facing homelessness and unsafe housing across the UK.
Vicki works in HR at Veolia offices in Cannock.
'I volunteered at an Upcycling Workshop in Shelter's Erdington shop. My role was to paint donated items, which would then be sold at the store, raising money for Shelter.
The whole team were really lovely, and it was great to have a look around the store before we got started on the upcycling.
I was mainly working on a chest of drawers, cleaning it up so that it was free of dust and ready to prime and paint. The chest was already in quite good condition, but Brian showed me how to paint everything properly and make sure that the chest had a lovely finish in duck egg blue.
Since Veolia have partnered with Shelter, I've seen the statistics on the housing emergency and the sheer magnitude of people, including children, experiencing homelessness and temporary accommodation. It's something that I find impactful, especially being a mother.
Whilst I wasn't directly housing people through my volunteering, I know that I've had an impact on Shelter by upcycling furniture which will then bring in some revenue to Shelter.
I would love to continue volunteering, maybe with a different part of Shelter next time. It's important, I think, to dedicate at least one day of the year to a cause. I might even be able to find more time outside of my role at Veolia, to volunteer my skills!'
Interested in partnering with Shelter, or finding out more about our current corporate partnerships?
Get in touch at corporate@shelter.org.uk