1. Sewing & Alterations
Service
Crisis At Christmas
2010 1

2. CC Sewing & Alterations Service
Service Organiser: Karen Foster

3. CC Sewing & Alterations Service
Based at Rough Sleepers centre
Operates a mobile service to other centres
Open Dec 2010
Shift times:
hours

4. What we do (and don’t do!)
Provide a valued service to our guests
Professional repairs and alterations to guests’ clothing and possessions
No laundry, no cobbling, no knitting
We don’t run the clothing store but can refer people
No requirement to take something in that you do not wish to handle ( good cop - bad cop) or that is too complicated

5. Why we do it We are part of the jigsaw
We do this because it’s needed and because we can
We do this because empathy works
We do this because it’s satisfying and fun
To provide guests with a degree of self esteem - think of how you feel if you have to wear torn or ill fitting clothing
Guests may have to make a garment or bag last a very long time.
A guest may prefer to keep something than replace it.

6. How (and where ) we do it Run like a dry cleaners
ALL equipment is provided - no need to bring your own
A central service in the Rough Sleepers Centre
Mobile teams visiting the other centres every other day
A secure service
A safe service
Best endeavours and teamwork
Tabards – promoting the service & keeping kit handy/safe
Food, empathy and sensitivity to guests
We do this in a happy atmosphere. Sometimes hectic, often peaceful. It’s collaborative and friendly.
Ticket system. Don’t be rushed. Get it right. Guests’ prized possessions deserve to be fully trackable.
SEPARATE TICKET and COATHANGER for every garment even if a guest has several garments. NO DOUBLING UP!
Guest details.
Sewing details – the importance of being CLEAR – handover – measuring inseams from the inside seam on trousers !
When entering a job into the book, USE A SEPARATE LINE FOR EACH TASK even if one garment has multiple tasks e.g. replace button, fix zip
UPDATE THE BOOK WHEN A GARMENT MOVES e.g add date returned when guest collects it.
Only give the garment to its owner i.e. ticket and wristband must match book details.
Each mobile team of two will include at least one person with advanced experience.
Mobile teams will be provided with a separate procedure for liaising with each centre they visit and making best use of time at each.
Mobile sewing kits – a toolbox stocked with essentials will be provided to each mobile team and re-stocked every night.
Each mobile team will have a dedicated ticket book and jobs book.
Mobile teams will have phone access to the co-organizer (Karen or Caitlin) throughout the shift
Mobile teams are advised to carry their own snacks/sandwiches in case they miss lunch at the centres.
Sharps – no lending
Germs. Avoid touching your face while working. When threading needles, don’t lick your fingers to wet the thread.
Bag and pocket contents – ALWAYS FEEL POCKET FROM OUTSIDE to avoid injury.
Translations
Turnaround time
Never promise
Use of the machines – asking advice. Don’t be shy. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. We’re a team.
Tabards for mobile teams and centre team to wear around building as “walking billboard” and to wear while working (optional) to keep kit handy
SCISSORS MUST BE SEALED OUT OF VIEW while wearing tabard.
Centre team – SCISSORS MUST BE LEFT IN SECURE SEWING AREA IF MOVING AROUND BUILDING.
FOOD – we may have chocolates to share with the guests and with each other but NO OTHER FOOD IS TO BE DISPLAYED OR CONSUMED IN FRONT OF THE GUESTS.
Take it to the secure volunteers area.
If offering a chocolate to a co-worker, don’t forget to include any guest that may be present. Or wait until they leave. DON’T ALLOW A GUEST TO FEEL LIKE AN OUTSIDER.

7. When we do it At base, service open for guests 10:00 – 17:00
At other centres, service open either
10:30 – 12:30 or 14:30 – 16:30
Collections from other centres delivered back to guest two days later

8. CC Policies & Procedures
1. Please follow agreed policies 2. Follow health & safety guidelines
3. Maintain high standards in logbook
Manual in the base will have a copy of the Sewing & Alterations Service Info Sheets, CC policies & Volunteer Handbook

9. Important points to remember
Be flexible & work as a team
Turn up for your shifts on time
Dress in comfortable, warm clothes
Bring additional layers of clothing
Bring only small amounts of money
Please do not give money to our guests

10. Important points to remember
If you are unwell, stay at home
If you have to cancel, in advance

11. What happens when you arrive
Present a copy of your shift confirmation
Your name ticked off shift list
Get your services badge
Report to the shift office
Ask for the Services Liaison 11

12. Who is the Services Liaison?
A key volunteer on each shift
Member of the shift team
The liaison between the services
& the shift team
Support for you during the shift

13. What happens when you arrive
Go to area designated for your service
Familiarise yourself with the centre
Find out what is going on each day
Other services
Activities
Entertainments 13

14. What happens next? Log on to Crisis Community
Read the Volunteer Handbook
Get ready for CC! 14

15. Any questions?