From sleeping bags to soup kitchens, it’s good to give this festive season

For many, the festive season is a time for family, friends, and lots of food. But as the temperatures drop and prices rise, this is not always the case. Arthur Martin, social secretary of Leeds Surf Society, shares the work his society are doing with St. George’s Crypt to support the homeless community in Leeds. Keep reading to find out how you can join in by giving back this winter.

Picture this… it’s a freezing cold November night. You are lying on the stone-cold concrete of Headingley stadium, all wrapped up in sleeping bags, surrounded by eighteen surfers.

This was us a few weeks ago when Leeds Surf joined up with St. George’s Crypt, St. Gemma’s Hospice, and the Rhinos Foundation to take part in the 7th Annual Leeds Big Sleep, a major charity event where volunteers give up a night of comfort to sleep at Headingley stadium. The event aims to spread awareness for homelessness in Leeds whilst raising money to support vulnerable local communities.

This year, Leeds Surf have been working with St. Georges’ Crypt, a charity who support vulnerable people in Leeds. When Isaac, Leeds Surf president, and I were invited to see the work they do earlier this semester, one thing that really resonated with us was how susceptible anyone is to losing their home, especially when we heard the stories of students and graduates like us who have become homeless. We wanted to help in any way we could and so we got involved in The Big Sleep.

To prepare for our night in the elements, we called on the trusty services of Buy Nowt, a library of things in Headingley, where we borrowed sleeping bags and roll mats for free. The Big Sleep itself was freezing cold. We were fortunate enough to be in sleeping bags, under shelter with roll mats, having eaten a hot evening meal. But not everyone has this luxury. The whole experience gave made me a deeper appreciation of the struggles that homeless people and rough sleepers must face daily, especially going into the winter months.

Leeds Surf raised over £600 through the event, contributing to the £50,000 raised overall. This was an amazing experience, and we want to thank all the volunteers who organised it. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with St. George’s Crypt in the new year.

If you’re around in Leeds this winter and would like to give back to the local community, here are some ways you can lend a hand.

1. Volunteering

If you’ve got some free time this winter, sign up to volunteer with St. George’s Crypt, who offer ad-hoc volunteering opportunities with no minimum hour requirements. Find out how to register to volunteer through their website.

If you’re free on 19th December, join St. Vincent’s Centre’s Christmas volunteering day and write Christmas cards, wrap presents, and more. For all volunteering opportunities, register your interest by sending them an email.

2. Food and item donation

If you’re leaving Leeds and have some food leftover, consider donating it. Drop off food, toilet paper, sanitary products and more at Rainbow Junktion, a charity ran by All Hallow’s Church in Hyde Park, that works to tackle food poverty and eliminate food waste. Find out more information on how to give through their donations page.

Leeds North and West Foodbank are also currently accepting food donations. Take a look at their donations page to see what items they accept and find your nearest drop-off point.

3. Present Shopping

If you don’t have much to donate or you won’t be in Leeds but you still want to give back, try charity shops for your gifts this year. Here’s a blog with all the best charity shops in Leeds. Even a little can mean a lot. [JB1]

Don’t forget to check out the LUU Volunteering Hub for current volunteering opportunities to find where you can lend a hand.