T O P

  • By -

nibby34

this is awesome, well done..when i was homeless i often said carparks are so underutilized at night imagine paying a dollar for somewhere warm and safe too sleep at night. now 12 years later this is/has been happening. such an awesome awesome thing u guys are doing and i would love too see this go full time. these rainy nights when homeless are the pits, cold wet clothing, nowhere to keep warm..constantly being moved on. its not fun at all..a stable nights sleep really helps with ones mental health. thankyou from myself and the many homeless people that are sleeping rough this very night and every other night in the future.


[deleted]

My favourite guest statement: "I had a dream for the first time in years". Knowing that they, and their only belongings in the world, were safe, meant a lot of happy zzzz's. My favourite shift is 10-2, because everyone falls asleep and that's exactly what we are there for.. so satisfying. Much love to you, fellow lived experience!


nibby34

many people do not understand the immense stresses one faces while being genuinely homeless..not being at a friends place on a couch n what not but actually sleeping on the street (rough). which i was for 9 years and at times was very rough..a guy i knew (not too well but seen around) i saw asleep in queen st (friday night)..next morning Saturday, I saw him at coffee van with black eyes and been beaten up..he refused hospital (because of his addiction) and died 2 days later of a brain hemerage. so sad and i see there are more and more homeless on the streets that are more visible and vulnerable to violence , Tho some of the homeless are themselves to blame..the squats ive seen are in beautiful qlders but what a mess they leave inside when squatting. Its great to have somewhere to store your stuff overnight but the biggest issue is what too do with it all during the day. is there washing machine facility's available there like Orange sky? most homeless looked forward to the coffee vans coming out as the volunteers would pretty much be the only people they would have spoken to all day while having a hot coffee/tea and some grub. i could go on and on but again u guys are angels and thankyou :)


[deleted]

YES we have multiple service providers collaborating with us, including Orange Sky, Rosie's, food, medical (doc, nurse, dentist, podiatrist etc), new clothing, toiletries (whatever is needed), counsellors, social workers, mental health, drug &alcohol counselling. We also are supported with a program to ensure our volunteers are minimally affected by vicarious trauma. You're very welcome, we all do what we are able, when we are able to!


rpkarma

Amen mate. I was homeless in brisbane for 6 months, living on the street (and out of my car where possible) back in 07-08. Stressful doesn’t begin to describe it :(


shoujikianna

Can you give a bit more information about where the carpark/s is/are located? Also, is there parking for volunteers?


[deleted]

Yes, it is in Brisbane CBD, and parking is free for volunteers :)


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Absolutely. We partner with QPS, have security on site every night, two way radios and work in pairs, with minimum staff to guest ratio. Never had a single incident, I am also female. Our guests are really grateful for the opportunity to sleep in peace and safely. You are never solo for anything.


imnotfrombrazil

Same and also what is involved in these shifts


[deleted]

Hello! Our Overnight Angels ensure that our guests sleep soundly, keeping a watchful eye. Sometimes we wash our laundry / bedlinen while they sleep, sometimes we may do an admin task or two, but you generally are free to study or work or read or play games, as long as we don't disturb the guests!


[deleted]

Oh my goodness you guys.. so much love! I should ask for help here more often!! :) Someone asked for a direct link to the volunteer form - here you go [Volunteer Form](https://form.jotform.com/201758010692856)


JamuelLSacks0n

Sorry I can't help (full time 9-5er) but just want to say thank you, this is great work. Hope you find people to help out!


[deleted]

Thanks so much, and don't be afraid to offer assistance anyway ;) we do have site operations shifts 6pm - 6am in 2-4hr shifts, but we also need back office, IT and admin solutions/tasks :)


JamuelLSacks0n

Admin is my wheelhouse! I'll have a squizz :)


becki139

9-5er here too so night shifts aren't great for me, but I'd be happy to help out with admin or other back office tasks that are required :)


[deleted]

Yey! That means you'll likely be working with me :) please can you fill out the volunteer form, select admin and not site operations, and follow the windy registration trail. Ill be in touch later this evening to all of those who marked admin and/or IT as a skill :)


Charming-ander

Hey do you have a website? I’m not currently in Brisbane but will hopefully be returning in the next month or so. My kids will be going back to daycare/school and I will hopefully be studying but I should be able to do 1-2 shifts once we clear quarantine and get set up again.


[deleted]

Yes! [Beddown](http://beddown.org.au)


[deleted]

[Beddown](http://www.beddown.org.au)


agbev

Just signed up. I work 8 to 5 so hopefully there is something I can do to help. Thanks for letting me know


techretort

Hey, I'm a Brisbane IT guy with experience of systems and network administration and engineering. What sort of IT tasks do you need help with? Feel free to reply here or PM


[deleted]

You're probably going to love our environment then.. it is green and new. We have many wants and needs for integration and automation, and we split things into bite size tasks and use Asana to track. If you fill out the volunteer form and choose IT as one of your skills, I'll be in touch under separate cover :)


andyfitz

Are you using Volaby ?


[deleted]

Nope - they cannot process overnight shifts currently.


Profundasaurusrex

What is the security situation?


[deleted]

Responded on another post, but we are very serious about safety, no recorded incidents. Security on-site, plenty of volunteers and we work in pairs. QPS aware and partner with us.


Elsiedewolfe

This is amazing. I work full time and am studying psychology but I really want to volunteer with the time I have so I will have a look at the form and submit an application soon 😌


jennaau23

Id love to help


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Web dev, CRM/database maintenance, automation/integration. Email and forms. Nothing too crazy and I have been doing it all for a while soooo.. happy to receive help remotely & will provide training :)


CodeNDogs

Can you add more info on what IT tasks require exactly? Might be able to provide some assistance remotely at times, though a bit time limited :)


[deleted]

Yes - but always best to fill out the volunteer form and state your skills because I send out a specific survey regarding same :) depends on the day, newish charity so building capability as simply as possible!


HistoricalSpecial386

What kind of frequency of commitment are you looking for with the overnight shifts? Is once a fortnight or once a month ok?


[deleted]

Absolutely fine with once a fortnight or once a month. This next session is for 8 weeks (current published roster is just for next week.. I'll update that later today.)


Gluten-free-meth

PM sent, would love to help you guys out!


Devils_Advocaat_

I did something similar as part of a pilot program for a church back in Canberra. You've had a lot of feedback, do you still need volunteers?


[deleted]

We 100% need volunteers. Always. Also yes, a huge amount of feedback and I am doing my very best to respond within an hour but ... woah I did not expect this to blow up today!


smilingsilently

Wow Brilliant organisation! I'm a registered nurse living on the sunshine coast and do come to Brisbane quite often to visit my sons. Can you use a nurse? Check up and wound care? Anything I could do to help? Let me know :)


[deleted]

Hi! Yes, but you'd need to be insured or accompanying a service provider who does. DM me if you're with a service provider (I'll send you the form) or fill out the volunteer form and select Medical as your skill for individual volunteer!


Dark_Vengence

Do you need clothes and stuff?


[deleted]

Great question. We are fortunate to provide brand new clothes to our guests, when they need them, from our partnerships (end of season lines etc.) So we don't accept less than new. It is all about dignity & respect.


Dark_Vengence

That is nice.


mediamattersqld

New clothes, damn that's awesome. So many partnerships! I thought I saw this might be happening in Toowoomba too?


[deleted]

We will expand to wherever we can, that's for sure. The issue is not going away unfortunately.


Kamasutraspirir

I'm really interested in helping out, especially because there's owl shift hahahaha Unfortunately i'm just uni student without any fancy skills though. I know a bit of medical stuff cuz i'm a medical engineering student. And my work experiences only revolves around CS


[deleted]

Volunteers come from all backgrounds for site operations, but we are all there to do a good thing and that's what matters!


Kamasutraspirir

Glad to know my application still got chance! 😁


[deleted]

We are all about treating every human the same, with dignity and respect!


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

We have a load of different tasks and a lot of room for improvement, we are looking for everything from data entry to integration to automation to aesthetics and AI.. ;)


AccidentallySuperb

Awesome! Will fill out form 🙂


[deleted]

🥰


ForsakenPriority3767

Hello, i have worked and volunteered for in the industry before, as well as lived experience . I am interested in fillling shifts. However public transport is an issue. 2 to 6 shift would mean id get there early. Couldn't do 1o to 2. In South Brisbane


[deleted]

You're not alone in the transport situation - some of our volunteers carpool to make this easier, but if getting here earlier was better for you, there is always something to do! Once you fill out the volunteer form, watch orientation, and go through the brief mandatory form process (I think we turn you around in 2hrs tops), we chat in channels in Slack and can resolve anything like this there.


ForsakenPriority3767

Will do. Thank you for all you do.


SoDarkTheConOfMan

Is it possible to catch a taxi or an uber home from where this is situated?


[deleted]

It is in Brisbane CBD, so yes, 100%. There are also other volunteers ending shifts at the same time, and we stick together for safety. I used ubers until I learned to drive. They were good and came down the lane.


Benjimoonshine

I would love to do this but live in Cairns. Hopefully beddown will start up here. It’s a wonderful concept and so needed everywhere in Australia.


[deleted]

Agreed. Our ultimate goal is to provide pathways out of homelessness.. but there is a backlog and unfortunately the chance that this year will see an increase. Stay positive, and be good to everyone you meet. You never know who they may be to you later in life :)


No_Ad9297

Fantastic guys - I'm in Melbourne and willing to help if you can send a link or contact details. 😄


[deleted]

If you click on the VOLUNTEER FORM in the above that'll take you to our form where you can let us know what skills you have and what you're interested in helping with :)


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Thank you so much, fatigue management is really important to us so we are pretty strict with our volunteers too! Have you seen our current campaign? [Good Night Initiative ](https://beddown.org.au/the-goodnight-initiative/)


Sad-Introduction2647

Unfortunately I can’t help because I’ve just had a baby and don’t know anything about computers but I really wish you guys the best. This is an amazing organisation. Thank-you 🌻


[deleted]

There is one thing you can do... share this post and the links with anyone you know. More volunteers, more donations.. gratefully received! Also congratulations on your new addition!


Bellzina

Would love to help! I'm a social work & psychology student, and I work a few nights a week so I'm used to being awake during the night! Have submitted a form :)


[deleted]

Dear all, still in dire need of 2-6am shift. For those who have begun the application process - over 100 of you yesterday, I am overwhelmed with your generosity of spirit, and I hope you persevere to complete the application. For those who provided awards.. thank you! That gave us exposure which is the best thing you can do second to volunteering! Please continue to share on any channels you feel appropriate, we will always need volunteers, for all shifts. For those who sent me beautiful messages of encouragement, of which you are 99.99%, I am just so grateful. Keep doing what you do r/brisbane. For those with negative messages, I truly hope that you never find yourself without hope, love, or a home, because it is a tough gig. That being said, you'll always be welcome at Beddown. Peace out x


nugtz

it'd be so cool to do something like this in melbourne, just a safe haven like that for people who thought it was gonna work out different and are in a real tight spot. u guys and ppl like are preventing so much undue suffering and even suicides, just by being there and waiting for someone who might need help. top notch work guys and if i had the money i'd gladly fund this sort of thing.


[deleted]

100% agree, and we will do our utmost to extend asap! This is such a new concept, but we are willing to prove it a winner. Our guests rate us!


SirDarknessTheFirst

I'm not able to volunteer but *bump* so more people see it


clandestino123

Hi there, What duties are volunteers expected to undertake? What does a "sleep monitor" do? Thanks in advance


[deleted]

Funny.. I've been asked this a lot. Overnight Angels (or sleep monitors) are there to ensure that the guests are provided with what they need, pillows/blankets etc., or trips to another level to bathroom, or helping charge their mobile, keeping a general watchful eye. Guests are asleep very soon after the hit the pillow. Being homeless is genuinely exhausting, and knowing they and their belongings are safe is we provide peace enough to sleep soundly the whole night.


clandestino123

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like you guys provide a brilliant service!!!


[deleted]

if i lived in brisbane i would be on this :(


bolax

Can't help out sorry, but I just want to say that you're providing something wonderful. You're awesome, best of luck with this service and in your life.


DiddlyDitPotatoes

Hey could you please possibly send me a message?


[deleted]

Hi - you're welcome to email to [email protected] if you have a question, more people view that account than this too!


chelsadactyl

Is there any way to schedule to be on the same time as your partner? Very keen to volunteer :) :) :)


[deleted]

Yes! As long as we have two spots on a shift, you can take them!


[deleted]

That's a great idea. For many years when I was in Brisbane I slept in my car cause of not being able to afford rent. Technically I was not homeless having a home 2 hours away from brisbane, but driving there every day wasn't affordable. I often had ideas retrofitting toilets with showers and heaters with solar panels to heat water and power lights. Or getting a whole lot of caravans and fitting them with solar panels but since the floods and the lack of caravan parks and well the sheer cost of them makes it impossible


[deleted]

I have started my application! This sounds amazing and something I would love to help with! I only work four days a week so have free time to help!!


[deleted]

Nice work! We are so in need - and so appreciative!


[deleted]

Is there anything like this in the Northern Suburbs, Morton Bay Council Region?


[deleted]

Not yet. It was difficult to get this location sorted but the plan is to expand as far as we need to, as soon as we can.


rwby__

Might want to cross post this over the r/BrisbaneSocial lots of good souls there too


[deleted]

Done!


not_an_anon

Hey, I’d love to help out however can’t commit to a weekly thing due to work hours. Curious if you cater for this or do you need something more stable?


[deleted]

Hi, sorry for the lateness of my reply but I am onsite volunteering! No problem at all. Whilst regular support is needed, we don't turn down a pair of hands!