Showers, soup and support for the homeless

So what better place to hold a Pop Up Shop for the Homeless, complete with hot food, a warming wash, and clothing, food and hygiene product stalls.

The event, held at the Lydiard Street South campus on Tuesday, was attended by a large crowd needing a helping hand.

Federation University leadership and volunteering coordinator Naomi Biggs said they had held a successful Pop Up Bookshop, in collaboration with Pop Up Shop organiser Sarah Britten, earlier in the year.

“This building has got showers and a kitchen and it was just the perfect spot,” Ms Biggs said.

“We wanted to do it for the community but also to give our students the chance to volunteer.”

Ms Britten said the Pop Up Shops for the Homeless had “snowballed” in Ballarat since she first saw the event advertised on Facebook in 2014.

They now hold four a year, with plans to make them more regular, and have between 40 and 50 volunteers.

“It’s for anyone in need, anyone who is experiencing homelessness. You don’t need to show up anything, no healthcare card or anything like that,” Ms Britten said.

They are just growing bigger and bigger each time.”

Federation University masters of social work student Ankita said she just wanted to help out.

“I like doing this – it makes me very happy,” she said.