Volunteer with Crisis this Christmas

Could you volunteer a few days from December 24th to 29th this year?

Cosyfeet have teamed up with Crisis, the national charity for homeless people, in appealing for volunteer podiatrists at their Christmas centres in London, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Coventry and Birmingham this year.

Crisis welcomed over 4000 guests in 2018, all of whom have much less opportunity for foot care than the rest of the population and yet have far greater demands on their feet. The results can be debilitating and painful. Over 390 of those guests benefited from the Crisis Podiatry service, which was run by around 60 volunteers.

This year, Crisis are hoping to attract even more volunteers, to treat even more people in need. They are seeking qualified podiatrists to treat their guests, and podiatry students or foot health practitioners to help run the service by welcoming guests and preparing them for treatment.

Guest getting a pedicure

Volunteer teams provide a range of treatments and foot care advice for guests, mainly treating corns and calluses, mycotic and gryphotic nails, as well as blistering and maceration.

“The best thing about the podiatry service is not only do guests leave feeling reassured and more comfortable, but we can point them in the direction of year-round services,” comments Eloise, the Crisis Podiatry Service Organiser. “You get to be part of such a great team too.”

London volunteers meet at the Crisis Hub at the start of each shift to be briefed and assigned to a team. Transport is provided to and from treatment centres between December 24th and December 29th.  Shift times are 9.00am to 6.00pm. Clinics run from 10am to 5.00pm.

Christmas volunteers are also required in Newcastle, Edinburgh, Coventry and Birmingham.

For further information on how to sign up for volunteering over Christmas, please check www.crisis.org.uk/volunteering. Applications open in October.

Cosyfeet supports Crisis each year by donating socks to users of the volunteer podiatry service, and by appealing for volunteers from the podiatry community.