Dobbsy first came to WoW over two years ago. In the early days, he would burst through the front doors almost always yelling ‘Where’s my bacon and eggs, I want bacon and eggs’, and everyone would be uneasy. However, when our initial team of kitchen volunteers left, one was fortunate enough to find employment, Dobbsy didn’t hesitate to step in, and he quickly became an important offsider to our new kitchen volunteer.

During that time, Dobbsy was still very charismatic within the Hub, but he turned up every day and worked hard in the kitchen. At that time, he was homeless himself. We had a small amount of money available, and we offered to pay him as we needed a cleaner – he refused to get paid, but he did the cleaning anyway. He continued to work in the kitchen and attend every day, and yes, he was still loud.

When we relocated, Dobbsy ensured that he would help wherever possible, whether that be packing, cleaning, moving, unpacking to help set up within our new location. At our new premises, Dobbsy has been critical to our operations. He provides informal security – encouraging troublemakers to leave – completes gardening or yard work when required as well as aiding with clients upstairs in respite.

He manages WoW’s laundry, making sure the towels, sheets, etc., are washed and dried, and he taste tests the pies to ensure they are tasty and don’t go to waste. He’s still loud, at times. But he has over the time particularly since we moved, become less loud, both in frequency and volume.

Dobbsy’s journey epitomises what WoW is all about – he’s the first to say that WoW gives people a safe space, a place to belong, and gain a sense of purpose, and we’ve watched Dobbsy do just that. The people who come to WoW have formed a community – they look out for each other and support each other. Dobbsy is an integral part of that community – if we need to locate someone, Dobbsy is always our first point of contact to find a client. On the occasional day that Dobbsy isn’t at WoW, his presence is missed.