Does anyone do Volunteering?

[EvianBaby]

working on my own most of the time and living on my own with nobody I know very nearby I get a little isolated so I was thinking about maybe doing some volunteering to get myself out there a bit and maybe meet some new people in my area.

I've found a website that gives you lists of organisations looking for volunteers in your area and gives the types of work they need doing but there are literally hundreds, if not thousands and I really have no idea of what sort of thing to go for. I was thinking something working with young people might be a good starting point.

I just wondered if anyone here has worked as a volunteer for anything? What did you get out of it? Are there any tips you can give?

[EvianBaby]

I did say I hadn't ruled it out but still being (relatively) young, I'd rather work with people closer to my own age.

[chaptazbru]

Fair enough.

[sherrardk]

Have you thought about getting a job in a pub? It's almost like going out except you don't spend any money and you will get to meet people of your age.

[EvianBaby]

Yeah, did that for years Sher. I got fed up in the end with the 'having' to go and do it, not just because I wanted to. I did meet my ex through that though. Hhhhmmm, maybe that wasn't such a good thing.

Although now I live in a town the customers would be different.

[craft1948]

Evian I trained as a youth worker when I was 22 (it was a 2 year course). I always remember the psychologist, who was running a workshop, saying to me "Because you are young you may think you'll have something in common with the youngsters you are going to be working with, you won't"

[EvianBaby]

Looks like it's the dogs then!

[cassa333]

EB, Although you found so many options on the searches you have done you can start to narrow it down a bit.

You can put in your prefered location/area, age of people you want to work with, type of organisation etc and narrow it down that way.

I volunteered for BHF shop at one time but didn't like the way that 'head office' treated the manager so left. Otherwise I volunteer for a charity that has no paid employees and everyone is a volunteer.

In my opinion, these are the ones that need help. They are mostly run by people that have no particular ability, just a good heart and good intentions.

In the end it will come down to your commitment to the charity, the time you are able to give and your skills that you can take to it.

Good luck and well done for making volunteering an option.

[gsr600]

CRB checks £44 ish - thats a great help.
good luck.

[Johnysid]

Depending upon your age join Rotary or Rotaract. Rotary does a vast amount of local charity work as well as little things like the global eradication of polio (thanks to a matching grant from the generous Mr Bill Gates). Anyone can join and women are welcome nowadays and run many clubs. Search for "rotary" and your town's name to find a local club and phone the secretary.

[tamborine]

Doing an evening course in college would make you more diverse friends....learn a language

[boxtops]

evian, go to your library or look in your local paper - our council runs quite frequent courses on volunteering, OH went on one a while back when he was between jobs. It doesn't obligate you to the role but it means you have a better idea of what volunteering means from the "employment" perspective. Good idea - our charity shops are always looking for volunteers. I volunteer with two local youth groups, it's stimulating and rewarding.

[Eve.]

I have done all sorts from residentials with the severely disabled for holidays and respite (was Winged Fellowship, now Vitalise), in the day unit of a local hospice, Women's Aid, RWVS Contact Centres, local deaf club (I learnt some sign language too), student tutoring a blind girl in mainstream school (and helping out with other children with learning difficulties) and more ad hoc stuff like helping out at events and lots of charity work from collecting to helping run or help generally at events.

I did some BTCV work as well doing day events helping with conservation work such as clearing areas, dry stone walling etc...

I did a couple of days work at a place which helps people who have been homeless or had drug problems, just come out of jail etc... get back on their feet with training and life skills so something like that could be possible.

There are so many possibilities - do you have a large local park where they have volunteers who help keep it nice (my local one does and has sessions at least once a month).

Some places have local volunteer bureaus - you could try and find one of them?

Why not see if you could organise something yourself? See if you could find something that needs doing and see if there is any way of organising it such as clearing an area of litter or getting it tidied up, or fundraising for a local project by running events (could be very social) and maybe something where others can volunteer their time such as doing up a local centre which needs painting and sprucing up so better for the community to use (baby/toddler groups, scouts, brownies, guides, Weightwatchers, village meetings etc..., mind you could be a minefield these days with the compensation culture and such but the council may be able to advise and possibly know about grants and such.

[Eve.]

The Princes Trust may need volunteers too or have ideas as to projects that might need them due to the work they do.

[peewack]

EvianBaby, depends on how old you are and what your interest are, as well -of course- where you live. There are lots of things you can volunteer for, people are always looking for help of sorts... give those of your area a helping hand by letting them know you are available... or at least contemplating helping. No use someone from London getting in touch with you if you live in Galsgow, is it?