About Open Homes

Open Homes is a homelessness charity with a difference: we work with churches, charities and individuals in Nottingham to shelter and support young people from the moment they are made homeless.

Being homeless is about more than not having a bed for the night: often it’s the culmination of family breakdown and trauma. We educate and empower guests to lift them out of homelessness now and in the future.

Our Christian faith and Jesus’ call to serve is at the heart of everything we do. We are emergency focused, prevention-oriented, compassion-driven and community-centred.

Meet the Team

Trustees

Mike Davies

Chair of Trustees

With decades of leadership in Financial Services and a local monastic community, Mike aims for Open Homes to offer refuge and address systems perpetuating poverty.

Sarah Dickin

A teacher with extensive experience in pastoral care, Sarah’s warmth and wisdom challenge Open Homes to become family for our young guests.

Mark Nightingale

Mark's background in further education, coupled with his hands-on experience as a driver for Nightstop, uniquely positions him to understand the needs of young people.

Ruth Holden

Ruth’s strong background in HR and as a Nightstop host help Open Homes stay person-centered and committed to the wellbeing of our guests and volunteers.

Staff Team

Dawn Randall

Project Lead

Drawing from 20 years in childcare and development, along with volunteering supporting domestic abuse survivors and ‘lived’ experience of homelessness, she advocates for impactful change in her role as Project Lead.

Joe Dickin

Operations Manager

With analytical and problem-solving skills cultivated through his medical training and voluntary work with youth groups at church, he's dedicated to shaping Open Homes policies and procedures to effectively support young people and ensure the day to day operations run smoothly.

Chantelle Magaya

Referral Worker

A current student at Nottingham Trent University studying law, Chantelle brings a sense of justice and compassion to the team. She carries a passion for seeing young people fulfil their potential from her time spent volunteering in youth ministry.

Freya Watson

Referral Worker

Fresh from Nottingham University, she's a compassionate advocate, having played a key role in a University society, pursuing social justice and volunteers in kids ministry. Ideal for offering one-to-one support to young people facing homelessness.

Olivia Pearson-Eve

Referral Worker

With previous experience in volunteer management and co-ordinating social action ministry for Trinity Church Nottingham, Olivia is now working at Open Homes alongside studying for her Counselling degree.

Sarah Rauch

Funding Co-ordinator

As one of our longest serving volunteer hosts, with years of teaching experience and a role as church treasurer, she's adept at organising community initiatives. Her passion drives her to excel at fundraising for community causes.

Thank you

Open Homes couldn’t operate without the prayers and financial support of our local churches, parishes and individual volunteers. Your contributions help us help young people in crisis, keeping them off the streets and supporting them into secure housing.

Volunteer With Us