get involved
Volunteering Menu
We have a number of Volunteering options for 2009. Download the volunteering menu [558k] to see specific dates.
If you would like to volunteer for anything on our menu please contact
Alun Burt at info@homeless.org.za
U-turn projects for 2009
We drafted the following projects for 2009. Please take the time to browse through them. If you think that you could offer assistance in any of our projects please do not hesitate to contact
Sam Vos at info@homeless.org.za
1. Volunteering programme
Project lead: Alun Burt
Capitalizing on very successful volunteering opportunities that were held in
2007 and 2008, U-Turn would like to introduce more opportunities for the
public to participate in our work with street people. Monthly street walks,
quarterly women's events and tri-annual one off outreaches will therefore be
tabled in 2009. Each of these is presented with training, service and finally
debriefing as standard components of the event. The volunteering menu will list specific dates for these events.
2. Staff to learn Xhosa
Project lead: Dylan Marais
Nearly 60% of U-turn's clients are Xhosa speaking yet at present only one Uturn
staff member is conversant in the language. U-turn staff have therefore
decided to embark on a Xhosa language course in 2009. The first half of the
year will utilise free material and for those staff members who complete the
course, a further paid course would be considered in the 2nd half of the year.
3. Constructive alternative initiative
Project lead: Sam Vos until a new staff member is appointed
The aim of this project is to expand the application of our existing meal
voucher that we sell to the general public, to be available at more retailers
and also to be redeemable at more street people service points. U-turn
therefore wants to formalise our partnerships with other service providers into
joint ventures, appoint a new staff member to assist at each of these service
points and also actively promote the participation of the public through a
community awareness drive.
4. Sheltered employment - Computer lab
Project lead: Sean Parker
U-turn would like to expand our sheltered employment opportunities by
creating a computer Lab. Residents working on this will start by completing a
basic computer training course with another service provider, then
consolidate that information through basic tutorials and tasks completed at
the U-turn computer lab and finally progress onto paid computer work (eg
helpdesk and data entry) associated with U-turn's record keeping system.
5. Sheltered employment - H4H Work team
Project lead: John Baloyi
U-turn would like to expand our sheltered employment opportunities by
partnering with Habitat 4 Humanity to build houses in Cape Town. Not only
will we directly contribute to eradicate the housing backlog in Cape Town, but
our residents working on this team will also pick up essential building industry
skills which can then pave the way for future employment in the building
industry. Funding is required to make this a work team opportunity for our
residents rather than the usual volunteering arrangement that H4H operate
on.
6. Structured rehab programme
Project lead: Roxy Irwin (OT)
For years, the rehab training and teaching that was provided at U-turn was
delivered on an ad hoc basis as need required it. Different aspects of the
training was tabled as and when needed and significant amount of knowledge
was contained only in experienced staff members' heads. This year U-turn
would like to address that by structuring our rehab in a formal rehab course
that is documented and added to over coming years. The Pilot version of this
program has already started with good effect and the desire is to secure
funding so that it can become a standing feature of our rehab intervention.
7. Secure long term use of suitable building
Project lead: Sam Vos
In 2008, U-turn was asked to vacate the U-turn building in order to make way
for the Claremont Boulevard. Temporary accommodation was found in 2
buildings but significant investment is required to render them fit for purpose
in the long-run. U-turn's capacity has been severely impacted by the current
state of buildings and our dream is therefore to secure the use of a suitable
building long term.
8. U-turn airmiles concept
Project Lead: to be confirmed
U-turn would like to firm up eligibility criteria for opportunities that U-turn
present to street people. The idea would be to incentivise street people to
attend more services by offering a good reward for compliance. Eg. Only
people that have attended 10 training sessions can get an invitation to go to
the beach excursion. This is therefore similar to air miles in that an individual
earns points through specified behaviour and can then spend air miles on
specific incentives. We do not currently have a staff member that can
champion this project so it will be reviewed in the 2nd half of the year to
consider viability.
9. Charity shop
Project lead: to be confirmed
U-turn would like to expand our sheltered employment opportunities by
creating a charity shop offering 2nd hand clothing to the general public. Not
only will this provide a vital income stream for U-turn, but residents involved in
this initiative will also be able to learn about the retail sector, shop floor
activities and keeping control of stock. We do not currently have a staff
member that can champion this project so it will be reviewed in the 2nd half of
the year to consider viability.