Guilt tripped at volunteer position?

ryouga

Well I was researching charity work a while back and found somewhere that would suit me perfect, I did some research and found they were in press for treating paid staff badly including firing them and the jobcentre sending them back to do same job unpaid.

I gave up on it but my care worker said to apply and the press was "making stuff up" I apply and get called in and despite putting down I only wanted to do 4 hours a week they expected me to work 9 hours a day every day not even offering travel expenses and when I declined kept on getting pressured into it saying they are giving me a opportunity oh and they wanted me to walk straight out of office and start on the spot.

Right now I can't work full time anyway as recovering from a broken leg so can't walk much which is why I only wanted a few hours a week, the charity kept not accepting no for a answer telling me they need workers and how wonderful it is to do charity work and give back to community, eventually I said I only wanted part time work and could at a push do around 10-12 hours and they said they would get back to me.

I'm thinking I was guilt tripped by them but wanted other peoples point of view.

IAmWales

Could your care worker speak to them and clarify? I'm finding the 9 hours a day everyday etc difficult to believe. Could you have misinterpreted what they said?

ryouga

No they said the words full time, 8-5 monday to friday, and I know they have full time unpaid workers they used to get them through the work program and they also used to get a lot of students but applicants have dropped as many of the young student age people get apprentice jobs then study at college after.

dawyldthing

Swap to a different shop

ryouga

It's not shop work it involves electronic repair and working in warehouse.

Fireflyaway

Is this a work program via the job centre? If so, most positions are anywhere between 20-25 hours a week for up to 6 weeks. The idea is to give you the experience of being in a full time job. Getting there on time, team work, learning new skills etc. You can also get a reference at the end to help find paid work. It can really help put something extra on your CV.
If its not this and just a volunteer role on the side, it sounds a lot of hours. Volunteers shouldn't be used to the extreme (to save on labour costs or carry out jobs they are not trained for). There is a point where volunteering becomes exploitation!
Don't feel pressurized. Volunteering is just that. You are willingly giving your time unpaid and it should benefit you are well as the organisation.

ryouga

Yes its volunteer work not work program, I am on esa and dla so wanted to do something to pass my time and look good on cv and since I have been building and repairing computers for 20 years unpaid for friends and family I thought it good to do something like that.

And they were in the press for firing quite a few members of staff who were paid and local jobcentre sending back the now unemployed staff to the charity for the same skilled role unpaid so seems like a charity that likes free labour.

getmore4less

Yes its volunteer work

I am available for X hours on these days.

If you do take it on those condition don't get bullied into doing more.

I get the feeling you need thick skin for this one.