A day in the life…

Our Senior Support Worker, Karen, has been with Contact Hostel for over 14 years. Here, she shares an insightful glimpse into her day-to-day role at our charity.

Arriving at Contact

Surprisingly, my day at Contact doesn’t start in the morning as you might expect! One of the brilliant things about Contact Hostel is that we have a Support Worker on-site 24 hours a day—something we consider essential to provide the level of care we pride ourselves on.

I arrive at work at 2 pm and begin with a handover from the Support Worker finishing their shift. With up to nine girls living on-site at any given time, it’s crucial that I’m updated on each resident and their support needs for the day.

Afternoon Responsibilities

No two days are the same at Contact Hostel, but my afternoons often involve catching up on essential paperwork and admin tasks.

We also hold weekly support sessions in the afternoons when the girls return from college. These sessions are an opportunity for residents to discuss any challenges they’re facing and for us to monitor their progress. We focus on areas like mental and emotional health, money management, and self-care/living skills.

Evening

Evenings at Contact are lively once all the girls are back for the day. It’s always lovely to hear about their activities and see what they’re cooking for dinner. In our communal kitchen, each girl has their own fridge and cupboard, so they manage their own meals. However, I’m always on hand to offer advice or guidance—just as I would with my own teenagers at home.

As the evening progresses, the girls might relax in the living room to watch TV, spend time in their rooms, or work in the learning hub. I stay available throughout the evening to assist with anything they might need. This is often a time when they ask for help with tasks like budgeting, homework, or even chatting through personal concerns.

Bedtime

Contact Hostel closes at 11 pm, and I head to bed. Thankfully, nights are usually quiet since we have a curfew that’s mostly adhered to. Occasionally, there’s a nighttime issue to address, but for the most part, I aim to rest well and be ready for a fresh start in the morning.

Start of the Day

The day starts early at Contact Hostel. I get ready first thing and then head down to open up. Mornings are busy with seven girls in our main house—many heading off to college or work. We’re always available to support them with breakfast or any last-minute needs before they leave.

Mid-Morning Tasks

Once the morning rush settles, I focus on housekeeping. Maintaining a clean, tidy and welcoming home is a priority. While the girls are responsible for their own rooms and cleaning up after themselves, we ensure the common areas are spotless. Floors are mopped, bathrooms sparkle and fresh towels are set out. These little touches help make the house feel like home.

Lunchtime Reflections

I usually eat lunch in the communal area with colleagues, and sometimes residents join us. It’s a nice opportunity to catch up in a relaxed setting. We’re a small team, so these moments of connection are important.

End of Shift

After lunch, I wrap up any remaining admin tasks and paperwork before handing over to my colleague. Once my shift ends, I head home to rest and recharge. While the role can be tiring, it’s incredibly rewarding—I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

Support workers like Karen are at the heart of Contact Hostel. If you’d like to donate and help us continue providing this vital service, please click here.