What should I bring with me?

What you bring will very much depend on the length of your volunteering stay, whether short-term or long-term.

LHA provides volunteers with basic bedding essentials, including bedsheets, pillowcases, pillows, and a duvet, all of which can be changed as often as needed. Storage within the room usually includes a wardrobe and chest of drawers.

For short-term stays, we recommend bringing your personal essentials such as towels, toiletries, clothing, and your “London-ready” gear for all weather conditions. In some non-catered hostels, where cutlery, mugs, or cooking items may not be provided, you may also wish to bring a few small kitchen essentials for basic meal preparation.

As volunteers live in shared accommodation, those who are particularly sensitive to noise may also wish to consider bringing or purchasing earplugs. While we aim to create a comfortable living environment for everyone, sharing a room naturally means that some people may have different sleeping habits, including snoring.

Many of our long-term volunteers are very welcoming and often lend items such as pots, pans, or other useful household essentials to new arrivals where the hostel does not provide them generally. However, if you prefer having your own items or enjoy feeling fully settled, it may be worth planning ahead for those needs before arrival.

Volunteers are also provided with washing powder and laundry credits for the hostel washing machines, allowing them to wash their clothes during their stay.

Some volunteer rooms may also include a safe or fridge for storing personal belongings and food. In non-catered hostels, fridges are usually shared with other residents and volunteers.

Long-term volunteers often arrive with more personal belongings as they are effectively moving into the hostel for a period of time. However, it is important to be mindful that storage space is limited and rooms are shared. Volunteers are expected to ensure there is fair and equal space for everyone sharing the room. Where volunteers bring a large number of belongings, they may be encouraged to review the storage available after moving in, and some choose to downsize their items over time to make shared living more comfortable for everyone.