UK | Homeless Shelter Volunteer
Rabie, a 30-year-old volunteer from Algeria, is three months into a one-year placement at Streetlife, a homeless shelter in Blackpool, England. He discovered the opportunity through New Ventures Worldwide after finding the charity online.
At Streetlife, Rabie supports the day-to-day running of the shelter. His role includes cleaning, signing in clients, buying food, and occasionally cooking and serving meals. The work is varied, often involving long quiet periods followed by sudden bursts of activity. A key part of Rabie’s role is building rapport with service users, which he does by playing games, discussing current events and films, and offering conversation and encouragement to help lift people’s spirits.
Working with people experiencing homelessness brings its own challenges. Relationship-building can take time, and service users often have high expectations around food and support, which must be managed within the shelter’s limited budget. Communicating with individuals who have a wide range of needs, including mental and physical health issues, can be mentally demanding and requires patience, flexibility and confidence.
Despite these challenges, Rabie finds real joy in his work, particularly in the support and humour shared by his colleagues, most of whom are local to Blackpool.
Alongside her placement, Kate enjoyed adapting to a new culture, exploring Ghana’s rich history, local hangout spots, and the beautiful beaches near Cape Coast.
“Living in England has taught me a lot about myself and the world, showing me that at our core, people everywhere share the same fundamental desires.”
Rabie
Motivation to Volunteer
Rabie was motivated by a desire to travel, experience life in a new country, and make a positive difference. Volunteering offered him the chance to learn new skills, meet people from different cultures, and build meaningful connections while contributing to a cause he cares about.
“I wanted to travel and immerse myself in a new culture while making a difference in people’s lives and expanding my own horizons.”
Rabie
Living Away from Home for the First Time
This placement marks the first time Rabie has lived away from home, an experience he describes as both challenging and rewarding. He has developed resilience, independence and confidence, learning to manage his time and responsibilities while adapting to a new environment.
Rabie has enjoyed life in England, particularly the ease of transport, access to shops, and the overall lifestyle. He has also reflected on how, despite cultural differences, people everywhere share similar hopes and aspirations.
“Living in England has taught me a lot about myself and the world, showing me that at our core, people everywhere share the same fundamental desires.”
Rabie
Food and Accommodation
Rabie lives in a spacious shared house with other volunteers, where he has his own private bedroom. While the multicultural household can present challenges due to different schedules and routines, he values the diversity and the opportunity to learn from others.
He has noticed differences in food culture, particularly the reliance on frozen food in England, while he prefers cooking fresh meals. Streetlife provides meals such as curry, fish and chips, and full English breakfasts at weekends, though Rabie often chooses to prepare his own food depending on his mood.
“My living situation is comfortable and diverse, allowing me to learn about different cultures while enjoying both local and homemade meals.”
Rabie
Support from New Ventures Worldwide
Rabie has felt very well supported by New Ventures Worldwide throughout his journey. His Programme Manager helped him understand his role and guided him through the full process, including visa paperwork, which left him feeling confident and well prepared before starting his placement.
“The support from NVW has been exceptional, making me feel fully prepared and confident in my role here.”
Rabie
Personal Growth and Future Aspirations
Through his placement, Rabie has developed valuable skills, particularly in working with homeless young people aged 16–25, who often require extra patience and understanding. He believes the experience will have a lasting positive impact on his professional future.
Previously a sales manager in Algeria, Rabie now feels inspired to approach his career with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger desire to help others.
“This experience has enriched my skill set and given me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation for my professional future.”
Rabie
Advice for Aspiring Volunteers
Rabie sees volunteering as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brings significant personal growth. While moving to a new country and taking on unfamiliar work can be challenging, he believes the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.
“Volunteering abroad is challenging but incredibly rewarding. The personal growth and the inspiring people you meet make it an invaluable experience.”
Rabie
