Ways you can help
On this page, you can find out about about some of the things we need and also (by scrolling down) about volunteering with us.
Can you collect items for us to redistribute?
If so, we really need the following:
Food
Tinned food - particularly chopped tomatoes, baked beans, sweetcorn, fruit, chickpeas, kidney beans, tuna/fish, meat, tomatoes
Dry food - pasta, rice, sugar, flour, salt, pepper, tea bags, coffee, lentils
Cereals
Biscuits
Cooking oils
Long life milk
Note: we prefer items not to be in huge bulk packets (i.e. huge bags of rice or gallon bottles of oil) as these are harder to distribute.
Toiletries
Shampoo
Shower gel
Deodorant
Razors and shaving cream
Sanitary towels (but no tampons please!)
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Soap
Toilet paper
Washing up liquid
Baby items
Nappies (all sizes but particularly size 5+ and 6)
Baby wipes
Baby food
Items for donation can be dropped off on Thursday mornings, or at any time at the Main Reception at the YMCA.
If you are able to collect for us but don’t drive, you can get in touch for us to collect from you. Thank you so much for your support!
Volunteering
Volunteers from all walks of life are welcome to come and work with us. All that you need are a few hours spare time, a willingness to work together in a team and a passion to make a real difference in the lives of people who have left the country of their birth often in traumatic circumstances.
An ability to speak other languages is a real bonus, especially Arabic.
Volunteer roles
We are particularly looking for volunteers to:
help at our Foodbank on Thursday mornings
join our team of English teachers
set up a collection point at your place of work or place of worship
promote the work of Sanctus and/or raise funds
provide transport for our service users to solicitor’s appointments etc.
If you’re interested in helping, please contact us.
Behind the scenes
We rely on a whole network of supportive people, who may not have time to give during the week, but support us other invaluable ways.
Some people set up a collection point in their place of work or church, and they encourage their friends and colleagues to donate nappies, toiletries, food and other essential items. They talk about our work to others who may be able to help, they tell our stories and 'gossip the good news'.
Some people arrange fundraising initiatives. However small or large the contribution, it is greatly appreciated.
