Ready for charity action: some of Nightwatch’s newest volunteers all geared up for another night helping those in need
By STEVEN DOWNES, Editor, Inside Croydon
In more than 15 years of running the InsideCroydon.com news website, there’s been countless occasions when I have had cause to be amazed or delighted with the help and wisdom of our tens of thousands of readers (233,000 site visitors and almost 450,000 page views in August 2025, since you ask).
But there can never be a time when I have been more proud than on Friday, when the homelessness charity Nightwatch emailed a note of thanks to all Inside Croydon readers.
A month ago, Nightwatch asked us to run an appeal for volunteers to help at their nightly service, offering food and other support to the homeless and working poor in Queen’s Gardens, close to the Town Hall.
Nightwatch has been operating for almost 50 years, but as some of their regulars retire, move on or were just taking a summer holiday, the charity was struggling to stay staffed up. “Some evenings we are very low on numbers,” a charity volunteer said.
All hands to the pumps: new volunteers at Nightwatch soon find plenty that needs doing for the nightly service
We ran the appeal on the website as requested on July 30.
Within a week, Fiona Satiro, the volunteer co-ordinator at Nightwatch, dropped us a note of thanks stating that the initial response had been very encouraging.
On August 29, Fiona wrote again: “We have had so many enquiries about volunteering -more than 50 – and at least half have done an evening and more.
“It has been a huge success for us, we’re so grateful for all the offers of help.”
One of the recent volunteers has written a brief account of their experience so far:
As with most of us, I have a scroll through my phone to see the latest trends. Maybe fashion or what is going on in news blogs, I saw a volunteering opportunity to feed those that are less fortunate, and my heart was there instantly.
I contacted Fiona and arranged my first evening of assistance. I felt nervous stepping into the building but once I was in, all hands were on deck from sandwich making, heating soup to filling meal bags and flasks of tea and coffee.
I shouted a quick hello to everyone who were so incredibly friendly.
I understood time was of the essence so immediately got to work helping to make sandwiches. Everyone would ask if a helping hand was needed and though it was all hands to the pump, to get outside on time to deliver, the team were one of the most amazing, friendly, determined and caring people I have met.
This was one of the most rewarding experiences knowing we had helped people in need and I have certainly committed to volunteering my help on a regular basis.
One thing I admire is the team leader will never leave volunteers alone; wellbeing is a priority.
Please volunteer, it is so so rewarding knowing you have made a difference.
All volunteers who sign up to help with Nightwatch’s vital work are given support and training and work in a friendly atmosphere with others who share the benefit of their experience.
But from Inside Croydon Towers, thank you to all those readers who have come forward, and thank you to those who will come forward.
- Nightwatch is still seeking more helpers. Anyone wanting to volunteer should get in contact with Fiona Satiro at Fiona@croydonnightwatch.org.uk
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Nightwatch have been providing an invaluable service for the homeless for decades. Well done to them, and well done to Inside Croydon for supporting them.