HOMELESSNESS is rising in the Shoalhaven and more vulnerable people are living rough, according to one of the driving forces behind a community run homeless shelter.
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Pastor Peter Dover, whose organisation Salt Ministries helped establish Safe Shelter Shoalhaven, said the local homeless rate was on the rise.
"We are seeing more homeless people," he said.
"Homelessness is growing by 20 per cent a year and that is Australia-wide and in the Shoalhaven homeless is growing at a rate of 19.2 per cent.
"So that means we had 1000 homeless last year and this year we will have 1200. Out of the 1200 there are about 300 to 250 people who are living rough each night."
He added in the Shoalhaven that 70 to 80 vulnerable women each night search for somewhere to sleep.
"We can't sit back on our laurels and 'say everything is going well'. It's going well and we are managing but we need to do more," he said.
Pastor Peter said they need more volunteers to help run the shelter.
Shelter volunteer Sade Goldstein gives a strong reason why people should volunteer.
"You could be saving someone's life and you are helping to provide a safe place for them to sleep," she said.
"The shelter is a safe place for people to stay - it's not fancy but its safe for families, men and women."
The shelter needs enough volunteers to fill 1460 hours worth of shifts a year.
"This is a community run place and we need support from the community," Pastor Peter said.
There is always two volunteers on each shift and the shelter does not close.
"It's open seven days a week every day of the year because homeless people don't get holidays. There is no holiday from homeless," he said.
You will be seeing and helping people who are disadvantaged and you are helping them and that give you a sense of pride and satisfaction
- Peter Dover
Becoming a volunteer is easy.
New volunteers just undertake an induction and must be prepared to undergo a working with children check.
New volunteers work shifts with more experienced volunteers and additional training is available if needed.
The shelter's Facebook page is the best starting point to become a volunteer.
Long term shelter supporter John Steele said new volunteers would be part of a remarkable team.
"My experience is the volunteers want to do more," John said.
Volunteers get in and help with things like preparing meals, getting beds made and most importantly just spending time with the shelter's guests.
John said the volunteers find the experience to be a rewarding one and Pastor Peter agreed.
"I would say you get more out of it than the people you are helping," Pastor Peter said.
"You will be seeing and helping people who are disadvantaged and you are helping them and that give you a sense of pride and satisfaction.
"This is an easy way of helping someone without going out in the street and doing it yourself."
Pastor Peter said anyone could volunteer and the rewards would be high.
"You will hear stories will change your life - every day I hear stories and I go - 'this is amazing'," he said.
Some people do a few shifts each week - other volunteers help once a month - it's up to the individual.
People who had once been guests in the shelter often return as volunteers.
Shoalhaven City Council is lending support by advertising the need for volunteers.
The easiest way to become a volunteer is to head the Shelter's Facebook page.
Along with volunteers, the shelter needs donations of money to pay bills like electricity and hospital-style "waffle blankets'
Once again Facebook is the best way to make donations.
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