I would like to volunteer
Why volunteer with Canopy?
Volunteering at Canopy is being part of a team to renovate and decorate a house and make it into a new home for someone that is homeless. You do not need to have already tried DIY, we can teach you everything you’ll need to know. The best way to learn sometimes is to get stuck in and have a try.
You will get the opportunity to try painting, wall papering, sanding, laying laminate flooring, plastering and many more jobs to turn a derelict house into a new home. Once you have been here for a while, you’ll have the opportunity to pass on your new found skills to the newer volunteers.
Canopy has a friendly, relaxed attitude and is keen to welcome new volunteers. Aside from work, we have an office space with computers, laundry facilities and a workshop. We go out on regular outings, arrange various fun activities and spend time, chatting and drinking tea.
Current volunteering opportunities
We are currently looking for volunteers for both of our sites at Burley and Harehills in Leeds. To apply, please call our volunteer support worker, Jasmine on 07956 152 595 or email Jasmine@canopyhousing.org
Bus routes: To get to our Burley office by bus, use any of these buses 19, 19A, 49, 50, 50A.
Board
Canopy’s Board provides strategic leadership, support and guidance to its staff. If you would like to volunteer on our Board, please click here.
2022 – A Vintage Year
This year, 882 days were given to Canopy Housing by 84 volunteers. This averages out as 10.5 sessions each. 53 new volunteers joined us this year, with 31 returning from 2021.
About our volunteers
Their age ranged from 15 to 74 and 38% identified as having a disability. This included physical disabilities such as sight and hearing loss, as well as mental health difficulties including anxiety and Ekbom Syndrome.
49% were female, 49% were male, and 2% identified as trans or non-binary.
40% declared a religion, the majority of them being Christian whilst others identified as Muslim or Spiritual.
70% identified as straight, 11% as bisexual, 9% as lesbian, with the remainder identifying as gay, other or preferred not to say.Canopy volunteers
Socials
Our annual Scarborough trip and Christmas Meal were both well-attended by volunteers and tenants. Thanks to Keepmoat for helping fund our summer getaway!
We also had a trip to Settle funded by Yorkshire Dales National Parks, with volunteers enjoying a good walk and fire pit cooking. We are hoping to return next year for two trips – a day of tree planting and a second day of drystone walling.
Marie organised a shelter-making workshop in partnership with Timber Wolves where volunteers learned about shelter-making.
Volunteers also attended our AGM in June and a coffee morning earlier this month where they shared with me their experiences and ideas for the future of Canopy. Two of them joined us at our Board Away Day last week to ensure the volunteer voice is represented at the highest level.
Outcomes
We supported five of our volunteers with their successful applications for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
24 of our volunteers moved on into employment, including Aisling and Yoseph who joined our own staff team!
12 volunteers moved on into full time higher education, including at Leeds College of Building and Leeds Beckett University. Many others were helped towards attaining CSCS cards, HGV Licenses and Heritage Skills Training.
Che clebrated his 14th year volunteering with us, Lionel got married in September and Rowan has announced that she is expecting!
Thank you to all of you. We *really* couldn’t do it without you!
Volunteer feedback
“Canopy it’s the best thing happen to me since I came to the UK trust me” – Samra
“I love Canopy housing. It is amazing, I really appreciate all their help” – Zayd
“Canopy are a good bunch. As a volunteer they really look after you. You learn new skills that really come in hardy in life and could also lead to employment.” – Adele
“I feel happier and I have learnt to deal with my anxiety a lot better” – Charlie