Staff Profile: Clare

Name: Clare
Role: Office Coordinator

What is your favourite thing about working for Dot Dot Dot?

Everyone working at Dot Dot Dot is really kind and funny – which certainly helps us power through the week.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve done as part of your job with Dot Dot Dot?

The strangest thing I have done is to take delivery of our new office furniture, to our new office which has minimal vehicle access, on a Friday night.  It was a real DIY experience which I plan to never repeat!

What’s the best picture of the view that you’ve taken from our office?

I took a picture I really like of the Olympic pool from the side, looking up to the sky, in the sun.  It combined two things I love swimming and sun!  It really showed what a vast open space the Olympic park is which makes for such a different working area to central London.

What volunteering do you do?

I volunteer with Samaritans – this is something I have become involved with since working at Dot Dot Dot. Before I signed up I spoke with some of our guardians at one of our parties who are involved and it was great to get an insight from them on what it might be like and also some well placed encouragement! The training was great and it is something I am really happy to be involved with.

What interests you about housing generally?

Having a choice in where and how you live is a fundamental human need. The difficulty in not having this need met has such a range of effects on people and I find this really challenging and interesting.

This week’s top five volunteering opportunities

1.Richard House Children’s Hospice – Bucket Collections

Where: Upton Park Stadium
When: 28^th March and 9^th April
Commitment Level: Low

Richard House Children’s Hospice are looking for people to collect donations at two football matches. On the 28^th March volunteers will arrive at 12pm to collect before the match which begins at 2pm. On the 9^th April volunteers will arrive at 10.45am to collect until the match begins at 12.45pm. For more information please contact Rachel Green on RachelG@richardhouse.org.uk

2.Providence Row

Where: Various
When: Various
Commitment Level: Various

Providence Row tackles the root causes of homelessness to help people get off, and stay off, the streets. They currently have a variety of vacancies for volunteers including in fundraising, gardening and advising. Check these out and apply here.

3.Good Gym

Where: Various
When: Various
Commitment: Low

Good Gym is a group of runners who combine keeping fit with doing good community work. You can run as a group to work on a community project, do one off missions or commit to visiting an isolated older person on a regular basis. For more information, see here.

4.Organic Food Growing Volunteer

Where: May Project Gardens
When: Various
Commitment Level: Low

May Project Gardens are looking for volunteers to come help maintain the garden. Over the coming weeks they will be focusing attention on general garden maintenance, site planning and fruit and vegetable production. For more information and to register your interest, click here.

5.Samaritans

Where: Various
When: Various
Commitment Level: Regular Commitment

The Samaritans are a round the clock listening service, which aims to provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress or at risk of suicide. There are a range of volunteering opportunities available at their 201 branches. For more information and to apply, click here.