New FAQS added and please suggest any new topics or questions
FAQs UPDATED
Training night and Koolamurt and Meeting point walkthrough videos
Hi everybody
Please see links below for videos from the 2025 training night information session:
Evening Shift: https://youtu.be/bmVHvvvcNsM
Bus Shift: https://youtu.be/9z7yngSI5Vg
Overnight Shift: https://youtu.be/FrDLGAmmBhk
Morning Shift: https://youtu.be/2h1FQDD2MMs
Kitchen Shift: https://youtu.be/nW1XYY5-yDk
Main Presentation: https://youtu.be/1UrMT7Ibcwo
Meeting point walk through: https://youtu.be/-ZKVkr7_6w8
There is also a walkthrough guide video through Koolamurt from volunteer arrival at the camp to guest arrival with lots of information and explanations. Please note the time code sections in the description if you need specific information:
Koolamurt Walk Through: https://youtu.be/o2tJ0WlcZhQ
Also a meeting point walk through video but please note the location of the green tub is now on the left hand side of the Shelter Shed storage room on top of the filing cabinet. From Monday 16 June a dedicated phone for use at meeting point and sending guest lists to Koolamurt will also be plugged in at the top of the filing cabinet (and to returned there at the end of each shift).
Meeting point walk through: https://youtu.be/-ZKVkr7_6w8
Great information for all volunteers new and returning to watch and familiarise yourself with.
Please also see attached document which has information for all meeting point and evening shift volunteers.
Thanks so much.
Volunteer coordination team
Alongsider Training and General information
To our wonderful volunteers
Thanks again for stepping forward to volunteer at the Bendigo Winter Night Shelter (BWNS) for 2025.
A few more things we needed to let you know about.
1. Alongsider Training – Virtual Training 17 June, 16 July & 21 August
We let you know at our Training night that we have affiliated with Stable One. Stable One provide resources for a network of night shelters.
One of the resources they are providing free to our volunteers is a 3 part series of virtual training sessions. These sessions are called “Alongsider Training”. The sessions will help you learn how to get alongside the vulnerable, the disenfranchised, the difficult and the different from a Christian perspective and using community work principles.
The three sessions are held virtually 7.30pm – 9pm on Tuesday 17 June, Wednesday 16 July and Thursday 21 August. The sessions are free for you as a BWNS volunteer. But you need to book in advance at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1404761
Please note that these three sessions:
(a) are optional for volunteers. Just an added resource we are providing.
(b) are each different and build on each other so ideally you would attend all three sessions.
(c ) may use some Christian terms and language. However volunteers of all faith backgrounds will be able to learn from the core messages.
2. BWNS Training Material
Please note that if you have forgotten the information at the training nights, or weren’t able to attend the training nights, there is lots of information in Elevanto
(a) look in Roles / Team for a detailed breakdown of the requirements for each shift
(b) look in Resources / Guides for the 2025 Volunteer Handbook, videos from the training nights and a Koolamurt site familiarisation video
3. Elvanto – Please, Please accept your shift in the system
Some volunteers are turning up for their shifts without having first agreed to accept the shift in the Elvanto system. This creates confusion for us as we do not know if you are turning up or not.
Please ensure you click on the ‘accept shift’ or ‘reject shift’ as soon as you can when a shift is offered to you.
Some mobile phones don’t seem to allow you to accept a shift by SMS text. You just need to then go into the Elvanto app on your phone or laptop to accept or reject the shift.
4. More guests
We have averaged 7 guests per night for our first week of operation. This is just under the average number of 8 guests per night we hosted in 2023 over the whole of winter (the last time we operated).
We are expecting in the coming weeks that we may get more guests – potentially in the mid teens.
5. More volunteers
We currently have 270 volunteers registered. This is tremendously good news and a wonderful community support – particularly if we decide to extend the Shelter into some of September.
But it may mean you will be rostered less across the winter then you were hoping.
Thanks again for volunteering.
Daryl Lynch – Volunteer Co-ordinator
Andrew Weightman – Project Co-ordinator
Chris Dalton - Chairperson
What a powerful moment to celebrate!
What a powerful moment to celebrate!
The Shelter is now open — and with it, the doors of hope, safety, and dignity have swung wide for those in our community doing it tough. Every bed offered, every warm meal shared, and every kind word spoken is a living symbol of what compassion in action looks like.
To our phenomenal Board, dedicated Operations Team, and extraordinary Volunteers — thank you. Your tireless efforts, your servant hearts, and your willingness to show up day after day are transforming lives. You are the hands and feet of hope — and the impact you’re making is deep, real, and lasting.
Together, we’re not just offering a place to rest. We’re restoring humanity, building connection, and lighting the way forward for those who need it most.
Thank you for standing in the gap.
Let’s keep going — there’s more hope to give, and more lives to reach.
With gratitude,
Daryl
Volunteer Coordinator
Welcome to 2025
We are currently updating all information in Elvanto so please be patient and have another look soon!