Through February, many of us in the UK probably spent much more time indoors than we might have planned. As the “Beast from the East” set in and the mercury just kept dropping, schools and offices were closed, supermarkets were raided, and many people stayed in under a blanket with a hot cup of tea. 

Sadly though, for many, heading inside just wasn’t an option. With sub-zero temperatures gripping the country, countless homeless individuals found themselves at the mercy of the elements and particularly vulnerable.

During this difficult time, iCERV volunteers in Cardiff joined up with global organisation The Youth Project and their The Homeless Drive initiative, to distribute resource packs filled with warm clothes, food items and hygiene equipment to help the homeless for the rest of winter. The volunteers – Ismaili students at Cardiff University – braved the cold to take to the streets, handing out the resource packs and talking to the recipients. “Helping and listening to the stories of the homeless people we met was such a rewarding and emotional experience. I am so glad I took part and look forward to helping out in other homeless drives in the future”, said Inaara Somani, the Ismaili Student Network representative for Cardiff University.

iCERV – Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering – is an organisation whose mission is to give its members an opportunity to serve the greater communities in which they reside. For more information or to register your interest in future projects, please e-mail [email protected]