Volunteers, Voices & No One Left Outside

The last few weeks have been all about people.

The people who give up evenings, weekends and spare time to support others.
The people standing beside us and helping push for change.
The people and pets at the heart of everything we do.

From Volunteers’ Week celebrations to growing support for our No One Left Outside campaign in Parliament, it has been a reminder that real change is built through community, compassion and people choosing to care.

Celebrating Volunteers’ Week

We’ve just spent the last week celebrating the incredible volunteers who help make Street Paws possible.

Behind every outreach session, donation drop-off, hostel visit and Pet Welcome Pack are people quietly giving their time to support others facing homelessness with their pets.

Throughout Volunteers’ week we highlighted some of the amazing individuals who volunteer with Street Paws across Manchester and the Northeast.

Cat, one of our Pet Champion volunteers in the Northeast, has spent the last year bringing joy into hostel settings through Halloween and Christmas parties for pets and their owners, festive pet photography sessions and local fundraising events to support Street Paws.

In Manchester, volunteers like Emma, Adam and Writtick shared what volunteering means to them and the impact it has had on their own lives as well as the lives of the people and pets they support.

Writtick said:

“Homelessness is a significant issue affecting many lives. When I learned about Street Paws and their mission to support homeless individuals and their pets by helping them find accommodation, receive proper health and veterinary care, and navigate the challenges of homelessness, I wanted to contribute to the incredible work being done by the Street Paws team.

So far, the most fulfilling part of this journey has been witnessing the progress that both people and their pets have made as they work towards stability and safety. For example, it’s always great to hear that someone has been able to find accommodation that houses both them and their pet.”

For many volunteers, Street Paws has become more than simply giving up time. It has become a community.

Some spoke about wanting to feel more connected after moving to a new city. Others shared how volunteering gave them a sense of purpose during difficult periods in their own lives. Many reflected on the kindness they witness every single week. Not only from volunteers and support workers, but from people experiencing homelessness themselves.

Adam said:

“I’ve also been impressed with how Street Paws look after their volunteers, providing support, training and organising social events. They helped me when I wanted to raise money for Street Paws by running the Manchester Marathon. I even received a certificate after my first 10 hours of volunteering. This was an unexpected surprise which made me feel my contributions were valued, and who doesn’t love a certificate? “

One thing that came through in every story was the importance of human connection.

At Street Paws, volunteering often looks like small moments.

A conversation during outreach.
Dropping off pet supplies.
Helping someone access veterinary care.
Giving a dog a new toy.
Checking in on a familiar face during a hostel visit.

But those small moments build trust, consistency and support during incredibly difficult times.

The People Behind the Volunteers

We also took time to thank the people working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Street Paws simply could not function without our Volunteer Coordinator, Liz, whose work helps keep our volunteer programme running day after day.

From organising volunteer training and supporting outreach, to liaising with hostels, delivering donations and giving up weekends to help people and pets, Liz’s dedication helps ensure volunteers feel welcomed, supported and prepared.

We also ended Volunteers’ Week by recognising our trustees.

While much of their work happens quietly in the background, trustees play a vital role in helping guide the charity, shape long-term strategy and support Street Paws as we continue to grow.

Like so many charities, Street Paws relies on people willing to give their time, experience and expertise to something bigger than themselves.

No One Left Outside Support Continues to Grow

This last month also saw growing support for our No One Left Outside campaign.

As conversations around homelessness and pet-inclusive accommodation continue to build nationally, more MPs are lending their voices to the campaign.

Recent coverage highlighted support from both Ian Lavery MP and Greg Smith MP following meetings with Street Paws founder Michelle Southern OBE and campaign supporters.

The campaign continues to focus on one simple message:

No one should ever be forced to choose between a safe place to stay and the animal they love.

Every day, we still see people excluded from accommodation and support services because they have a pet.

For many people facing homelessness, pets are not ‘just animals.’ They are family, emotional support, safety and companionship during some of the hardest periods of a person’s life.

Through our Pet Champion Scheme, Street Paws continues working with hostels and temporary accommodation providers to help create safe, pet-inclusive environments where people and pets can stay together.

The campaign is about changing systems as well as perceptions.

Because pet ownership should never be treated as a barrier to safety, support or housing.

Bringing No One Left Outside to Parliament

One of the most memorable moments from this last month came during Street Paws’ No One Left Outside Parliamentary event.

We were incredibly proud to welcome Big Issue vendors and their dogs to Westminster as invited guests of Street Paws, helping bring the reality of pet ownership and homelessness directly into Parliament.

The dogs arrived wearing Street Paws branded capes proudly displaying ‘No One Left Outside’ and ‘Standing up for people and pets facing homelessness’. 

Not all heroes wear capes, but these ones certainly did.

We want to say a huge thank you to The Big Issue and the vendors who attended for standing alongside us and helping amplify this message where it matters most. Their presence brought real visibility, humanity and emotion into the room in a way statistics alone never could.

The event brought together campaigners, politicians, professionals and supporters to continue pushing conversations around homelessness policy, pet-inclusive support and the barriers people face when they have an animal by their side.

The dogs in attendance became a powerful visual reminder of exactly why the No One Left Outside campaign matters. 

Because for so many people experiencing homelessness, a pet is not 'just a pet.' They are family. A reason to keep going. A source of safety, stability and unconditional love during some of life’s hardest moments.

And nobody should ever be forced to choose between a roof over their head and the animal they love. Thank you for backing our campaign

Looking Ahead

As we move further into summer, our work continues.

Street outreach sessions, hostel visits, veterinary support, volunteer training and campaign work all continue across the country as we work towards a future where homelessness never separates people and their pets.

To every volunteer, supporter, hostel partner, donor, trustee and campaign supporter. Thank you.

Every conversation, every donation, every share, every hostel visit and every act of kindness helps move us closer to a future where no one is left outside.

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