Please spare a couple of hours a week for a good cause

SamMoffatt28

Hi everyone, I hope this thread is allowed.

I just want to appeal to everyones good nature and ask if you can spare a few hours a week then please help a charity by doing some voluntary work. There is a stigma attached to voluntary work as people think its only for retired people or only in charity shops but you couldn't be more wrong!!

I am 29 years old and I volunteer 2 afternoons a week at my local Age Concern office. I began by doing general office duties, but have more recently been helping clients with filling out benefit forms. I did not have any previous experience but with the encouragement, training and support from the outreach worker, I have been very successful.
I just found out this week that an elderly couple I went to help with their attendance allowance forms both received their higher rate and are now £120-00 per week better off! I am so pleased for them and I have been rewarded by knowing that 2 hours of my time has really helped to improve the lives of an elderly couple that were struggling physically and financially.

There are many opportunities available in many varied charities, and the rewards although not financial are very satisfying. If you only help one person with the generosity of your time is that not worth it? It certainly is to me. Contact your local Volunteer information bureau or have a look on this http://www.do-it.org/ website!

Edit: Because I have mentioned Age Concern I just wanted to add that they are a registrered charity (Registered Charity No.504906).More details can be found here http://www.ageconcernlancs.org.uk/

MrsTinks

And there is always the possibility of "taking your work home" in the shape of a foster dog or cat (or rabbit, pony you name it!) if you want something that will work round your daily work life. I usually end up with a variety of emergency fosters from dogs to little ickle kittens (all of which I want to keep!!!) and knowing I helped save their lives by freeing up a rescue kennel for a deathrow pound dog feels great

Failing that how about joining St John? Learn first aid and get to go to great concerts! (How's that for an MSE charity idea!). I must have saved well over a thousand £ on concert tickets in the last 5 years when I have seen Robbie Williams (3 times) Eminem, OzFest, AC/DC and so on Not to mention learning some vital first aid skills

Avogirly

tine wrote:

And there is always the possibility of "taking your work home" in the shape of a foster dog or cat (or rabbit, pony you name it!) if you want something that will work round your daily work life. I usually end up with a variety of emergency fosters from dogs to little ickle kittens (all of which I want to keep!!!) and knowing I helped save their lives by freeing up a rescue kennel for a deathrow pound dog feels great

Failing that how about joining St John? Learn first aid and get to go to great concerts! (How's that for an MSE charity idea!). I must have saved well over a thousand £ on concert tickets in the last 5 years when I have seen Robbie Williams (3 times) Eminem, OzFest, AC/DC and so on Not to mention learning some vital first aid skills

WOW! How incredibly rewarding. How do you go about doing that?

SamMoffatt28

Avogirly wrote:

WOW! How incredibly rewarding. How do you go about doing that?

Dont forget that the main purpose of volunteering is to help others, not for personal gain, although there often are some nice perks

Yolanda_2

If you want to help with the vounteering towards 'fostering animals' contact the RSPCA. I know in Oxford they are crying out for animal carers. They provide the food, accommodation and you supply the love and time in caring for its training and its poos.

Tondella

The guiding association is crying out for volunteers. After reading an article about the shortage of guide leaders i started volunteering at my local (inner city london) branch. It is wonderfully rewarding, a great way to pass on your knowledge and skills, and indulge in some creative and fun activities. The girls are fantastic, so open minded, full of life and a breath of fresh air for someone like me who hangs around with adults all day at work. You can volunteer by going to the GA website http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/new/ and entering your details.

djtonyb

Can I just echo Tondella's message.

I have been a Brown Owl for 18 years(I'm only 35).

It is very rewarding and is looked on very favourably on a CV