On International Women’s Day we spoke to Amelia, one of our Skills & Volunteering Cymru volunteers, about her volunteering and the dangers faced by homeless women.

“I have unfortunately seen and heard from female clients who’ve been in physical altercations while homeless and it is heartbreaking. I cannot imagine how scary that must be, to feel unsafe and so vulnerable. This International Women’s Day, I will be thinking of all the homeless women in Cardiff and across the world.”

Amelia volunteered because she wanted to give back and interact with the community in which she’s lived for three years.

“As an international student, I have always had a relatively easy transition into life in another country, but I wanted to positively contribute to my new community, said Amelia.

“While spending time with clients, I have gained an understanding of how dangerous it can be to be homeless, especially as a woman. While, I have always had a general understanding of the challenges it brings, spending time with clients at the Huggard Centre has opened my eyes to the struggles so many face everyday.

“This International Women’s Day, I will be thinking of not only the homeless women in my community of Cardiff, but of all the women across the world experiencing homelessness – who are vulnerable and need our support in this unfortunately very dangerous world.”