I'd like to volunteer

clarkey1000

After a couple of years of moving around with my job I am now finally living & working in the same place for a couple of years and as I'm settled I'd like to do some volunteering outside of work to make my life a little more interesting.

My husband currently does stuff with the scouts but I think I'd rather do stuff with adults (children terrify me!! - although I am going to go along with him one night in the future and see what it's all about).

A friend of mine in the forces volunteers on a early response ambulance service which really interests me but unfortunately I can't find anything similar where I live.

Aside from the Ambulance thing I mentioned above I have also been looking for possible work with the homeless again without much luck. Whilst browsing I've seen that there are charities in my area dealing with mental heath, drug abuse, hospices and many more, but with the risk of sounding a bit pathetic I'm not sure I'm cut out for them.

Basically I'm looking for voluntary work but am worried I won't be able to cut it with the more mentally challenging options there are around.

So, if anyone can suggest any options or indeed enlighten me further on the kind of options that I have so far discounted then I would be very grateful.

I can only volunteer in the evenings after work (although I think I can take a couple of days a year off through work schemes) and I live near Huntingdon in Cambridge, I'm female and 27 years old.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Jo

SamMoffatt28

Hi Jo,
Try this website, they advertise all kinds of voluntary work in all areas. You can sign up to their newsletter too which will keep you informed on whats available where. http://www.do-it.org.uk/

I worked for Age Concern in their local office this summer and another independant charity in my local area. I am very please to have been able to support four clients in applying for attendance allowance and successfully got their claims through. They are all £60 per week better off because of my help. I hope to continue to do voluntary work once I find out what days / hours I will be at Uni (I start this semester). I have also just signed up to support the NSPCC. Voluntary work is very rewarding and is always very much welcomed. Training will be provided as well if there is something you want to do but have little or no experience of.

Well done for making such a great selfless decision and good luck, I hope you enjoy it!

Sam
xxx

Cat72

HiI was intereasted in volunteering but when I contacted some of the bigger companies there was nothing in my area. Instead I went to my local volunteering centre and they offered me loads of really intereasting volunteering positions which suited me much better.Here is a list of areas and you can find your local branch http://www.volunteering.org.uk/Local+and+Regional/findoutaboutvolunteeringinyourarea.htm I now have been volunteering for a few months and find it very rewarding.

Mazda

Jo
I am a voluntary services co-ordinator for a hospice, we rely very much on volunteers to help us care for patients and their families, our volunteers help with all sorts of roles from driving, reception work, gardening, shopping etc.

If you don't fancy hospice volunteering try searching https://www.do-it.org for your area and also your local volunteer centre would be able to advise what local opportunities are available.

Good luck.

DrFluffy

Write to places directly too - I volunteered at my local hospice for a couple of years - one or two evenings a week. Was a fantastic experience.

DrFluffy

For any under 25 year olds reading this who would also like to volunteer - don't forget the Millennium Volunteers... www.millenniumvolunteers.gov.uk

GiveItBack

> but with the risk of sounding a bit pathetic I'm not sure I'm cut out for them.

Don't worry! Not everyone can do every type of work - there's loadsa stuff I couldn't do, and it's better I don't. work to your strengths!

clarkey1000

Thanks everyone,

I've just had a quick look at the sites you mentioned & they look really promising. Unfortunately I need to start work now so I'll have more of a look at lunch time & let you know how I get on.

jockettuk

i lived in peterborough. and i was a volunteer for a few things over the years..i worked through the peterborough voluntery service .. mabey contact them and see if they can put you in touch with anyone your end.. also st johns ambulance has its HQ in huntingdon and they have young adults and older adults and they do evenings.. you could volunteer to be the person injured etc ..

Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service



3 Lincoln Court, Lincoln Rd, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 2RP
Tel: 01733 342683

Dee140157

Hi
I know you sound worried about volunteering at the hospice, but it is really not as bad as you might fear. I have volunteered at my local one for about a year and a half. There are four basic qualities needed, the ability to listen, the ability to talk, the ability to make a cup of tea/coffee and above all the ability to be a friendly face, remembering that all who walk through the door,be they patient or visitor are scared, worried, nervous etc. I work on reception and we mainly check that patients can receive visitors and make copious amounts of tea and coffee.
I would suggest that you ask if you can shadow a team in the evening for a shift to see what happens. You may be very surprised at how much you could gain from it. I know how valuable the volunteers are as they were always there to talk to me when my husband was a patient and the care they showed me after was invaluable.

clarkey1000

Thanks for all the responses & good advice. Here's a quick update..

I've sent off for some information about a local First Response Charity called Magpas which sounds quite interesting although I'll need some first aid training I think!

I've also just spoken to a lady at my local volunteer centre who is sending me some info about a local scheme that's just starting up called "Welcome Home From Hospital" which matches local volunteers with people just discharged from hospital who require support.

I did look into local hospices but there aren't any in my area which is a shame as from what people had written here I had overcome my initial reservations and was thinking it might actually be something I could do.

I'll still look around for a few more days because I want to make sure that I get involved with something that I can give the right amount of time to but hopefully I'll be able to report back soon with what decision I have made.:)