Coastline Housing’s Homeless Service has been shortlisted for a national award for the volunteer programmes it operates.

The Homeless Service, based at Basset Road in Camborne, operates a volunteer programme where clients of the service can pass on their experience to help other clients, and a second project where members of the wider community are able to give their time and share their skills, whilst gaining a greater understanding of homelessness.

Overall, the Homeless Service has had nearly 50 volunteers working with clients on a rolling basis over the past two years. It is estimated that they have delivered over 1,200 hours of support to clients between them.

Louise Beard, director of housing, assets and communities at Coastline Housing, said: “It’s hard to put a value on the support our volunteers give to clients. It really does have a huge positive impact and can literally help to turn lives around.

“In return, we put a lot of effort into training our volunteers and helping them build essential skills for their CV and work lives too. We are extremely proud to be shortlisted for a national award for our work in this area.”

Volunteers help clients with any number of activities, from things like admin assistance with applications for support, housing and jobs to helping them learn practical life skills such as cooking and budgeting.

The team has been shortlisted for the national 3rd Sector Care Awards, in the citizenship category. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on December 9.