volunteering

[ethandron]

do any/many of you volunteer? as there seem to be quite a number of retired people here, and others who don't work for various reasons, it seems it might be something a fair few do.
in the past i was a volunteer at our local hospital on the mens geriatric ward where i used to shave all the old men, and generally tidy them up and chat to them. more recently i used to dish up the evening meal at our local childrens hospice, for any relatives and staff who were around, and clear up afterwards. currently, i've just started volunteering with the rspb and find this suits me best of all - out in the fresh air, chatting to some really nice people, feeling part of a team.
sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to look to become a volunteer doing something which suits you and which you enjoy. so, what do you do and how did you start?

[Sqad]

You mean.....FOR NOTHING?...No pay?....out of the goodness of your heart?.....to help others........yeah! right................this is a windup....YES?

[ethandron]

no more a wind up than my caravanning is dear ;o)
ps. we pick up our new one on tuesday.

[marval]

I used to work in the Salvation Army charity shop. I am thinkling about doing something now, not sure what.

[Sqad]

marval.....if my whole world collapsed and I became a philanthropist........I would certainly support the Salvation Army for which I have a lot of respect.

Did I tell you about the Songster selling the War Cry in Whitechapel in 1954?

[chelle7272]

I did volunteer admin for local charities when my son was little, which eventually helped me back into work when he began school.
My job is with a charity and I still do volunteer work for some of our partners, supporting a group for vistims of domestic violencem, running the Freedom Programme and also with an amblers group which is great for getting out and seeing some of our local nature and hidden beauty spots.

[ethandron]

my dad had a soft spot for the sally army, said they made the best cup of tea during the war when he was a young soldier. always give them a donation.

[e.crespo]

I volunteer with the elderly, I drive them to hospital, doctor, dentist, optician appointments. It involves escorting them and keeping them company and returning them home. This is only one part of the help our charity performs for our community. I can't recommend doing something like this highly enough, it really helps often forgotten people to get around and remove a lot of the stress for them, we are very different to the official hospital transport providers and there are no alternatives for the other trips, because we are free.

[mrs_overall]

A couple of years ago I volunteered to help out with the local Cubs.
I had to quit for the sake of my nerves

[marval]

I agree Sqad, no I don't know that story about the songster., The shop unfortunately closed down.

[pastafreak]

I don't volunteer,though I work with quite a few in my job as a cook for a local homeless charity. It always amazes me how selfless and giving of their time so many of them are. We do get one or two who seem to want to 'take over'-without always grasping how things are done. But I imagine there are always individuals like that.
As I work just 3 days per week-I am seriously considering doing some volunteer work myself.

[ethandron]

pasta, i've found that as soon as you mention about working with food or having a food hygiene certificate, many places are very keen to snap you up for volunteering to be able to take advantage of this.

[wolf63]

I volunteer in an Oxfam Book shop. I have been there about 5 years and it is good fun. It gives me something to do now that I don't work and the people who volunteer are a good laugh - most of the customers are really nice.

However on days where my brain is ill or out to lunch (the reason that I can't work) putting me on the till is a major mistake. I have quite a few of these days.

[pastafreak]

I agree ethandron...there are a few places near me that do lunch clubs for the elderly-I will look into them.

[ChocolatChip]

I think volunteering, particularly when young is a brillant way to open your eyes to the world and careers.
I have spent a lot of time volunteering at special schools and a respite care centres. At points I have worked 15 hour days, for absolutely no money! And it has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
I am soon hoping to be volunteering for a neurorehabilitation unit, as I hope to become a neuropsychologist.
As a 20 year old, it annoys me greatly the attitude often displayed toward often perfectly fine youngsters trying to find a life for themselves.
A gentleman I once cared with expressed his anger at people who slate young people, as he who has met many who has work for nothing, caring for him. And he admitted that they are some of the best people who have cared for him.

[kat1]

Yes, The Cat Rescue centre.

[Eve]

I used to do loads of voluntary work though working life seems to have taken over. I started helping with ad hoc events such as charity events, fashion shows, jumble sales etc... then volunteered at the local hospice and did some residential stints (was a fair way from home so used to go and stay) for a holiday and respite centre for the severely disabled. Did a few Christmas weeks at the latter and had some amazing experiences there. It was called Winged Fellowship but rebranded to Vitalise now and still going and seeking volunteers if people are looking for ideas. Did some work for the RWVS at one of their contact centres too and helped with a youth camp in Romania.

I did a lot more while at uni as they have a volunteering society and charity society and was involved in both, some with Women's Aid, running workshops for the kids and an away weekend, local deaf club etc... Did a lot of charity collecting and events too - walked the entire 3 miles of the Bridgewater Carnival in fishnets, stockings, hotpants and a basque one year - made a fair bit that night!

I do miss being able to do so much. I was talking to some of the "friends" of my local park recently and they have volunteer days I'm hoping to get involved in.

[LoftyLottie]

I volunteered on the local Hawk and Owl Trust nature reserve, but due to back problems last year just couldn't carry on. :o(.

I do a very small amount of home visiting for animal charities.

All the things I would like t o do require me to be more physically able. I don't want to do anything that involves being in an office or a shop.

Any ideas welcome, please.

[andy-hughes]

I was a Samaritan volunteer for three years.

I had to give it up because of severe illness, which has prevented me from returning, and i miss it every day, and will return if i am able.

[DEN53]

I did volunteer telephone counselling for the Women's Health Organisation for 3 years.

[LoftyLottie]

I have thought of doing that Andy, but think, as a person who is medicated for anxiety/depression problems I might do more harm than good.