Bradford Day Shelter lend a helping hand

And they need your help. There's a desperate shortage of volunteers to help with Christmas events at Bradford Day Shelter, which supports people who are homeless or in sub-standard accommodation.

Based near the city centre, it provides hot drinks, a cooked lunch and donations of clothes and blankets.

Christmas is the busiest time of year; on Christmas Day staff and volunteers will cook and serve a turkey dinner, hand out presents and organise party games. Up to 120 people are expected to pour through the doors. It's no wonder that volunteers are desperately needed to cover festive shifts.

"We need six volunteers for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day," says head of service Michelle Clark. "Christmas is a time when those with nothing feel even more desperate. Here they can have a meal, a sing-along, a few games and a present."

Around 70 people use the shelter daily and that's increasing. "We're getting more Eastern European migrants, they need basics like sleeping bags and toiletries," says Michelle. "About 60 per cent of our clients have no fixed abode."

There are currently six volunteers but about 25 are needed.

"Volunteers help in the kitchen and clothes storage, sorting through donations. Offering companionship is also a volunteer's role; sitting and talking is partly what clients come for," says Michelle. "We could do with people who can provide entertainment; playing guitar, singing, that kind of thing."

When I arrive at 9.30am, catering worker Margaret Mazek and support worker Sharon Dalby are preparing for next day's Christmas party. They've also got today's lunch to make.

"Lunch is sausages and mash with treacle sponge and custard for pudding," says Margaret, as she chops chicken legs for the party buffet. "They like traditional, no-nonsense food; liver and onions goes down well, even with younger ones. Jam sponge is a favourite. I plan meals as I go along."

Cooking for 70 people sounds stressful but Margaret takes it in her stride. She came to work as a cleaner 11 years ago and now runs the kitchen.

"I'd brought up a family but had never cooked for big numbers, it just came to me," she says. "I work out the portions, even though I never know how many will be in that day. We rarely have food left over."

Lunch is served between 12 noon and 2pm, then sandwiches are handed out. As I start buttering a mountain of bread, I ask about the Christmas workload and what's expected of volunteers.

"It's very busy. The day races by," says Margaret. "We make a Christmas dinner and it's the one time when clients aren't served at the counter - we put cloths on the tables and serve them, waitress-style. We need people for that, and for cooking and washing up. Then there are the games - bingo, quizzes and karaoke.

"We always need more volunteers, I could do with a kitchen assistant. We have a lovely volunteer, Sheila, who comes once a week, and an old lady arrives on Sundays with a carrier bag of biscuits, bless her."

Margaret and Sharon work alternate Christmas Days and New Year's Days. "I love Christmas here, it's a great atmosphere," says Sharon. "Last year I dressed as an elf giving out presents! They contain socks, gloves, toiletries and chocolates. It's the only present many have had all year."

Sharon takes on various roles, from assessing clients' needs to chopping onions. "Some of their stories break your heart; we're only human after all," she says.

"One young lad came in the other day, he'd been sleeping in a shop doorway and was frozen to the bone. We've got regulars and about four new faces a day."

Volunteer Sheila Lightowler arrives, carrying a big box of biscuits which she hands around the social room. People sit on armchairs drinking tea, some are chatting, a couple are asleep. One man stares blankly at the television. A couple of lads disappear outside for a smoke.

I chat to Peter Ludd and Julie Nelson who ended up sleeping on the streets after losing their home.

"We used to sleep behind the ice rink, there's a big fan which gives out a bit of warmth. I've slept on the doorstep here," says Peter. "We've slept rough over Christmas. It's not just the cold, you don't realise how dangerous it is, there are people who rough you up just for being there."

What does he get from the day shelter? "A nice meal and advice on housing and income support, it's through this place that we got some accommodation."

Sheila has been a volunteer for four years; she works in the kitchen on Wednesdays and teaches basic computer skills at next door's training centre on Thursdays. "I really enjoy it. You wouldn't believe how rewarding it is," says Sheila. "I'd always wanted to work with the homeless and when I retired I had time to spare. I didn't want to sit around watching TV.

"If you have the time, this is the best thing you can do. It takes you out of yourself, gives you a focus.

"I'd never given much thought about how people become homeless, but meeting people here I've learned that it can happen to anyone, it's often through family breakdown," she adds "It makes you fortunate for what you have."

Does trouble ever break out? "There are occasional disturbances but staff deal with it well," says Sheila. "Usually it's fine; people are just here for a meal, warmth and companionship."

Back in the kitchen there's a delicious smell of cooking sausages. I set to work scrubbing grease off baking trays. It's a happy atmosphere, with light banter between Margaret, Sharon and Sheila as they work.

Sheila makes tuna and corned beef sandwiches which I wrap and put out on a tray. Then we go into the dining area to check the cutlery and condiments.

It's reasonably quiet but Sheila says it'll start filling up about 11.50am.

"Lunchtimes are hectic," she says. "While the food is served I'm washing up endless plates!"

As well as providing immediate help, the centre helps people re-build their lives and move on. Upstairs there's a training unit where clients can learn basic IT, carpentry, cooking and food hygiene. There's advice on housing and benefits, and a substance support team provides counselling and treatment.

Next door is a community training centre, providing more structured courses, where Sheila helps clients develop computer skills. The once burned-out house was refurbished last year, thanks to a £199,000 Big Lottery Fund grant handed to Horton Housing Association which owns the building and day shelter. Courses include computing, art and English and there are JobClub and Learndirect facilities. The aim is to help people move into mainstream education and employment.

"I do basic computer training. It's difficult if they don't speak much English but we get by," says Sheila. "It helps them learn skills and boosts confidence."

Before long, the morning has ended and I have to return to the office. "Have a good Christmas," I call to the girls in the kitchen. It doesn't seem appropriate to say the same thing to the old man wearing odd shoes I pass huddled in the doorway. If he gets one thing here this Christmas, I hope it's a pair of matching shoes.

• For information about becoming a volunteer ring (01274) 393234. Donations can be delivered to the day shelter, 16 - 20 Edmund Street, Bradford, from 9am to 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays or from 9am to 3.30pm Sundays and Wednesdays. To donate £5 to the day shelter text the word DAY to 82540. To donate more than £5 or to donate by debit or credit card text the word SHELTER to 82540. There is also a gift aid scheme, with 28p recovered for every £1 donated.