'Flexible' volunteering

adidas

Hello all

Wanted some ideas for volunteering. I have found it hard to find something that suits my time commitments. I work shifts so it's difficult to commit to a particular time/day every week, but would be able to do 3 weeks out of 4 (may have to alternate days). I usually work in the day Mon to Fri.

I want to do something along the lines of moneysaving/something to help less well off, altho not sure about soup kitchens. I know that CAB is tricky to get into and would definitely require me to have days off in the week

Anyone got any ideas? I'm in the South Wales area.

Savvy_Sue

Male or female?

We send out a blank rota and invite people to offer when they're available. Some people do one shift a month, others one a week - you want to find somewhere offering that kind of scheme near where you live!

kingfisherblue

My daughter works shifts, but still volunteers as a Rainbow and Brownie guider. On the evenings that she is working, we arrange the programme so that it doesn't need her to be there.

I also volunteer. As well as Guiding, I am on the management board of a community centre near me. It is in a deprived area, so by helping to keep the centre open and provide opportunities, it helps local people. In my role, I attend a monthly meeting, for which dates are given every twelve months. I also cover reception occasionally, but those who work Monday to Friday don't do this. I also seek funding at times, but there are others on the board who do this more frequently due to their experience and talents. Our treasurer obviously deals with finances, and the secretary has responsibility for paperwork, minutes, etc.

Maybe this sort of role would be suitable?

You might have a local volunteer bureau that could tell you what opportunities are available in your area - check with your local council. Whatever you decide to do, good luck

mumcoll

What about helping out in the food banks? They are opening up in most towns. The Housing Association I work for has just advertised volunteering opportunities for our 'food bank'.

paddyrg

Our local charity shop is always looking for volunteer PAT testers - it's a job out back testing donated electrical goods. Free training provided. Hours as an when you can - just pop in, do a load, get on with your day/week. About as flexible as your mood takes you.

Paully232000

What about volunteering at a hospice. I know the one near to us has about 400 or so people on its volunteering book, some only do a few days a year and some do weekly work. All sorts of things like regularly driving to helping out with fundraising events once or twice a year

lazer

paddyrg wrote: »

Our local charity shop is always looking for volunteer PAT testers - it's a job out back testing donated electrical goods. Free training provided. Hours as an when you can - just pop in, do a load, get on with your day/week. About as flexible as your mood takes you.

You need to be qualified to be able to do this - and personally I wouldn't trust someone who had completed the 2 day (or whateer the short course is) training. Most people who do PAT testing are qualified electricians also.

Missme

lazer wrote: »

You need to be qualified to be able to do this - and personally I wouldn't trust someone who had completed the 2 day (or whateer the short course is) training. Most people who do PAT testing are qualified electricians also.

But they don't have to be qualified electricians. It's a specefic stand-alone qualification. You may not trust such but some do.

Stiltonian

The charity shop where I volunteer are always looking for extra people, and they are very flexible. I do every Sunday, but if I'm ever at a loose end, I just pop in, there is always something wants doing. I'm sure most charity shops operate the same way.

adidas

Thanks everyone. I'm female Sue. The blank rota sounds like a good idea and would suit me really well. What sort of volunteering is that? A few of those ideas sounds interesting. The food bank one sounds good. I haven't been in touch with the volunteer bureau yet but that sounds like a good idea!

Fluff15

Have you looked at do-it.org? Lots of organisations post their volunteering opportunities on there, and you can search by interest, distance from home and availability. They're really good, I have volunteered in a position found on there before!