Volunteering experiences

Worked Oxfam bookshop. Four hour shift, nearly expired with boredom. How much standing chatting to other volunteer can one do once you’d rearranged any shelves or served the trickle of customers

I prefer to volunteer in our village, which I do. Keep it local!

Local litter picking if you don’t want to be involved with formal Agency settings? Our Council will supply and collect full blue bags if left alongside the road.

You obviously picked the wrong thing then, Lucca.

I have volunteered a lot since I had children. Most recently, I have been volunteering with AgeUk's Dementia Service helping in Memory Cafes, with singing for the brain groups and helping deliver Carer Learning courses to people caring for those living with dementia. AgeUk won the contract for the service from the Alzheimer's Society with whom I had previously volunteered.

My main focus is helping carers and they say they gain a lot from the courses. I find it very rewarding.

I volunteer with Good Neighbours, a National group (not sure if it’s just England), they have a website. I do phones one day a week and drives the other three, Fridays off.

I worked on the independent visitor scheme for 7 years.
It’s working with looked after children.
It taught me a lot and I hope my young person who I saw for 7 years benefitted.

Sorry, pressed too quickly.
I enjoy the drives, a lot of the people are lonely and enjoy a chat, could be me one day.

That sounds like most valuable work, kittylester. I take my hat off to you. We have a Memory Café at our Little Theatre in Torquay with which I help, besides being a steward on Front of House during performances or with Props and occasionally acting!

Blodwyn: Local amdram groups always welcome volunteers to help in various capacities (props, set building, painting, wardrobe, serving drinks, etc) backstage, on stage or Front of House. A good way of making new friends of all ages.

I volunteer with the RDA (Riding for the Disabled) . I just love it. Some people have had some experience with horses but some volunteers have not but there is training available. In fact all volunteers regardless of experience are required to do the training anyway. It’s such a joy to see the enjoyment on the faces of the children and disabled adults. I also do a monthly litter pick in our town. A good way of making new friends.

When we first moved to this area 1994, I didn't know where we were finally buying a house, and couldn't do much to the rented house we were in. I read an article in the local paper that Oxfam in Leeds were restyling old garment, and remaking the. from donated fabrics. I volunteered and had a wonderful time making simple skirts and garments that went under the name of No-logo. There were also students from the local art and fashion school. We had a fashion show in The Calls centre, hosted by Richard Whiteley. It really helped me pass the time until we got our own house.

Litter picking sounds good especially as we have a lot of rubbish in the local area.

It is important to think of any specifics that you want first, indoor or out, how far you will travel, how many hours, people, or animals, and any particular skills you have.

Volunteering makes you feel useful, you get to meet new people, and gives purpose if you need it.

Hope you enjoy it.

I used to volunteer in a primary school helping 5 and 6 year olds with their reading. It was lovely. I got to go on some school trips too.

My son is nagging me to volunteer to 'keep me busy' but I have worked for over 40 years, brought up 4 children and fostered one. I also belonged to an am dram group which involved fundraising, costume making etc. Frankly the last thing I want to do is keep busy. I like to get up when I want, read the paper slowly, do the crossword, watch the afternoon rubbish film - just potter about really. I meet up with friends for coffee or dinner now and again. I'm fed up with being told I'm going to turn into a vegetable. I'm limited physically but my mind is plenty busy. Is that a sin?

if you turned into a vegetable, which would you be.
i fancy a carrot. don't know why. seems a bit raffish.
nobody would want to be a turnip, or would they ?
or a pea, quiet and alone, meek and mild.
a brussel sprout has a winning cheekiness, maybe.

Kc55 You are very patient.

kittylester

You obviously picked the wrong thing then, Lucca.

I have volunteered a lot since I had children. Most recently, I have been volunteering with AgeUk's Dementia Service helping in Memory Cafes, with singing for the brain groups and helping deliver Carer Learning courses to people caring for those living with dementia. AgeUk won the contract for the service from the Alzheimer's Society with whom I had previously volunteered.

My main focus is helping carers and they say they gain a lot from the courses. I find it very rewarding.

Yes that’s my point !

I ve volunteered most of my life when I was full time working I used to do some evening volunteering it has always improved my life, greatly.
Since retiring I have volunteered in a charity shop for seven years and absolutely love it I am always busy I get so much pleasure from the work, the customers, and the other workers that it far out ways the time and energy I give, I nearly always work many more hours than I m written up for
It keeps me alive

I'm a ward volunteer at a local large hospital. The patients are all in single rooms and the nursing staff are busy - they pop in to do specific tasks but otherwise the patients are on their own.
Long days and nights for them. It's surprising how far flung families are and most patients have sadly outlived their friends. So we go in and just chat, we're interested to hear people's stories or to provide a sounding board etc, whatever helps.
This project is organised by the Royal Voluntary Service. They offer lots of other volunteer projects.

Kc55

My son is nagging me to volunteer to 'keep me busy' but I have worked for over 40 years, brought up 4 children and fostered one. I also belonged to an am dram group which involved fundraising, costume making etc. Frankly the last thing I want to do is keep busy. I like to get up when I want, read the paper slowly, do the crossword, watch the afternoon rubbish film - just potter about really. I meet up with friends for coffee or dinner now and again. I'm fed up with being told I'm going to turn into a vegetable. I'm limited physically but my mind is plenty busy. Is that a sin?

You are singing my tune Kc55. I also retired after working full time for over 40 years, bringing up 2 children and seeing husband through his stressful job that affected his health. I decided that I would retire when he did (he is only a month older than me) and never work another day. People were certain I would either get a part-time job or become a volunteer. For nearly a year after I retired well meaning friends and ex-colleagues would suggest roles both paid and voluntary for me. Then lots of people I knew volunteered at COVID Jab Clinics, not me. Like you I love doing things in my own time at my own pace. The joy of not having to be somewhere doing something for "someone" is what being retired is about. It's not a sin it is what you have earned the right to do.

I volunteer in a charity shop too - just one morning a week. I love it. I sort and price the clothes and a really good friend of mine works the same shift. The other staff are lovely and I look forward to a chat with them all. I love a bargain and enjoy a good mooch through the rails! When the grandchildren grow up and I am no longer needed to babysit/help with the school run, I will look to do more volunteering, it's very rewarding.

I wouldnt suggest anything. You dont want to volunteer. Perhaps you could send your son some information on volunteering, he seems very keen

Citizens Advice.

When I first retired (aged 70), I volunteered with my local Kosher meals on wheels and did a stint once a week delviering these for the next few years. Did try a local Charity shop, but was unfortunate in starting just as they went through quite an upheaval with the existing volunteers (some having been there for over a decade, resigning on mass, due to the latest Manager there.

Many years ago, when I was at home with young children and a disabled husband and feeling very lonely and cut off from life - I volunteered to become the Hon Secretary of gymnastics for the London region. was handed ver all files and paper work in two large shoe boxes. Did this mainly from home, just occasional meting to attend. Over the next couple of decades this was built up and I became known as running (still on a volunteer basis), one of the most efficient and pro-active sports regions. Small bedroom was turned over completely to become Regional office. Loved it, gave me a sense of being someone else other than someone's Mother or Carer. Also kept me well up to date as computers came in and evolved.

When my children had grown up, and hubbie had left I was able to apply for and obtain a job, purely on the basis of the CV from this volunteer role. I always claim that this role was the main reason I kept a strong mental health during some dreadful personal times - perhaps it even saved my life.

Now - I am the volunteer Secretary to the Residents Association for the block of flats in which I live - which is also our own Maintenance Company.