Volunteering experiences

Thank you for all your comments. It made interesting reading. I will look into some volunteering options and see what happens next!

many years ago i was a volunteer in a mental hospital, when i say mental it was people who had never really fitted into society, i then went to a club that was on two nights a week for adults with downs syndrome, i loved both of these places, the last place i was in was the salvation army, i did say from the start i did not want to work on the shop floor, i was in the back pricing and steaming clothes. you should find out if there is a volunteer group that sorts volunteers for different places, that is how i found my first two places, it does not have to be charity shops, try looking on google for your local area and see what is there, i hope you find something you enjoy.

Pre Covid I was volunteering at my local hospital and was based in the Cardiology ward. Going around with the tea trolley and chatting to patients. People were so grateful to have someone to chat to as some patients didn’t receive any visitors at all for various reasons. That all stopped when Covid began for obvious reasons. They are now asking for volunteers to return so I intend returning soon but they aren’t allowing Ward volunteers at the moment so I’ll probably be a Pharmacy runner - delivering medicines to the Wards from the Pharmacy or offering patient support to patients in A&E. When watching real life hospital programmes, it always breaks my heart when old folk or anyone for that matter arrive in A&E and they have no-one to support them.
I was also asked if I’d be interested in volunteering in Paediatrics giving support to the parents but I declined that as I’d be in tears over poorly children so didn’t think I’d be a lot if support.

I started volunteering when the Daily Mail started a media campaign for recruiting volunteers. I think they were inundated which made the process quite long and arduous but I stuck at it as it was something I’d been wanting to do for a while but had never really got round to finding out how to volunteer. They are still looking for volunteers and will welcome you with open arms. This is the website i went through if you’re interested helpforce.community/

I'm hoping to cook meals for Meals on Wheels when I retire shortly. I would also like to do something for my local church.

I'm involved in anateur dramatics and used to volunteer for a community theatre nearby. However many of us got fed up of the bossy emails from paid staff constantly ticking off the volunteers for not doing this and that, or for doing the other (usually because of poor or no communication from the theatre staff) so gave that up.

Hi Blodwyn
I hope you find some suitable volunteering opportunity and something you can enjoy.
For some years after I retired from Nursing I worked as a befriender to the elderly in my local community, sometimes visiting them in their home. A cup of tea and a chat was the usual routine with some, others we had a nice walk and a coffee in a cafe on route. I also helped at a lunch club for the elderly where they enjoyed a chat, a game of bingo as well as a fish and chip lunch which we had delivered to the club.
I have always enjoyed working with "the elderly" so it was just a natural area for my to volunteer in.
However for the past three years I have been looking after my DGC for three days a week so that is my new voluntary job and does not leave me any time for other volunteering!

I have been a volunteer with a disability charity for years, helping them to set up and maintain their online presence, social media and moderator of a Perr support forum. My impairments would make anything physical quite difficult, but as a software developer there was still a lot I could do to help.

Citizens Advice here as well. I volunteered there while I was married - then, during the divorce process, I was too emotionally and physically drained to do justice to the clients. It took a couple of years to get the divorce sorted. I then re -applied to the CAB, but I had to retrain for 6 months at the main office, which was an hours drive away, and not being the worlds best driver, I decided not to pursue due to motorway phobia. But I absolutely loved working there. Highly recommend it .....

Citizens Advice. There was online and in person training. You don’t need to know a lot, just where to find the information, but obviously you do acquire a huge amount of knowledge, which is interesting and keeps the brain ticking over. I enjoy using IT to a certain extent, and pre- Covid, I enjoyed the company of other volunteers, paid staff and clients. Most people are very grateful for the help we are able to give.

DH volunteers with RVS and feels it is a positive experience. His line manager is great. As is mine with AgeUk.

I found my RVS job through their website. They were very well organised. I had to be police checked and had to do all sorts of online training modules. They also organise training sessions for us on various practical aspects we become aware of in the course of our ward work. Possibly we're just very lucky with the local manager. I really enjoy being a ward volunteer.

www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/volunteering/opportunity-search/?

henetha I also applied to the NHS for a volunteering job on the information desk at the main door, but like you I gave up because of the unorganised and complicated hoops I had to jump through. Do try the RVS (they have a website) they are always needing help.
Most of these charities need a police cheque, and references which is reasonable.

There are so many excellent suggestions on here that I’m sure will inspire you to investigate the ones which appeal and which are available in your area. You need to consider the areas you’d feel most comfortable with. For example I’ve been a Home Start volunteer and a school governor. Certain charities don’t appeal to me and I’d rather be involved with younger people or children than with the elderly. I’m just saying this as an example of how you could narrow down the options.

I am a volunteer helpline advisor for Age UK. You never know what you will be dealing with. You get good support and training. I would recommend it.

I was teaching full time and volunteered as evening/weekend secretary for the local RSPCA group when I was in London. Eye opening.

When I moved to the NE I volunteered at an animal rescue charity shop, and later, Mind, which was fantastic. Unfortunately the regional management of Mind were ignorant bullies and when our manager left, we all resigned.

I also volunteered at our local primary school, but like Tanith, didn't feel valued. I also used to turn up and the young teacher I was assigned to wouldn't bother to let me know the session was cancelled. She never apologised, so very rude.

My best volunteering experiences have been abroad. I've volunteered in Thailand at an elephant sanctuary, and SA at a primate sanctuary. Very rewarding.

For some years I volunteered for a local-lifts service, which included taking the calls once a month and trying to find drivers, but usually ended up doing them myself.

I did get annoyed now and then, with the people who (judging from expensive, evidently fairly new clothes etc,) could have afforded taxis for what were always short journeys, but seemed to feel entitled to free rides. Or who would point out the odd restaurant on the way, and tell me they often ate there!

But those cases were few, and perhaps unsurprisingly it was always those who were apparently the poorest, who tried to give me a pound for my petrol.

I can’t undertake any regular volunteering now, since 3 little Gdcs do mean I can be needed at any time for one-off emergency childcare - dd does have to travel for work now and then and although he’s very good and capable, it’s an awful lot for SiL to manage while working full time.

I have tried several different things - the Fair Trade shop was incredibly boring, very low footfall. I enjoy committee work so I spent 5 years on one charity board before I moved and am now a Trustee of the local hospice. I am a retired nurse so it suits me but if you have a background and experience in something that you enjoyed/loved maybe stick with that and find something which uses your skills and experience.

I volunteered at a local school to help with the gardening club, lots of forms DBS check done but it was very disappointing the teacher in charge wanted me to do 2 afternoons which fine but I can’t tell you how many times I turned up and the group activity was cancelled because the teacher was in a meeting, off sick, too busy, no one bothered to just let me know and half the time I’d get all the tools out ready and have to go and find why there were no pupils or teachers. Very annoying and no one bothered when I just didn’t turn up.
I hope you find something you’d like to do.

I volunteer one day a week for the RNLI. I help in one of their museums and also work in their adjoining gift shop.
I really enjoy talking to the visitors, and answering questions about our exhibits.

I used to volunteer for the National Trust working in the garden at my local castle.

It was so enjoyable pottering about in the gardens with other volunteers, staff and visitors and chatting about plants over a cup of tea in the gardeners' bothy.

Well then they ruined it! A couple of years ago they insisted we all started doing regular on-line and one whole morning a month classroom training on things like safeguarding.

It was all so depressing and totally out of proportion to my once a fortnight morning of happy, outdoor pulling up weeds that I packed it in.

Now I volunteer with a local group of Wombles who do litter picks, it's fun, easy and sociable.

I tried to volunteer for the NHS a couple of year ago when the Daily Express organised a campaign. But the process was so complicated, so difficult, so badly organised, that after six months of trying I simply gave up.
I would like to be involved in something now, but my options are limited due to age and a chronic back problem.

I volunteer for the RVS (was WRVS) in the Tea Bar in our local hospital Outpatients dept.
But am considering giving it up - our (paid) supervisor keeps organising 'afternoon tea' treats for us at local pubs - paid for from RVS funds to say "thank you". I really hate spending the charity's money. that I have helped raise on frivolous meals out.
I love the work, but the waste of our hard earned cash is frustrating. I won't be attending the 'tea' and will tell her why!

I first started volunteering when my eldest child started school (I was a full time mum.) Computers had just been introduced into classrooms so my son told his teacher I knew all about computers......I didn't but I learned quickly.
From that I also helped with art and craft activities and reading.
I became a dinner lady then a fully paid classroom assistant. Which was handy as by this time, my OH had lost his job. Later I became a support assistant for a disabled pupil.
It gave me the push to get a degree and train as a teacher.
On retirement, I went a bit mad volunteering. Stewarding at a local castle, working with school groups at a nearby museum and helping with outdoor education with the Forestry Commission.
It helped me unwind from a stressful teaching job, giving me the fun stuff of working with children without the awful paperwork. Volunteering also preserved my sanity when faced with caring for various elderly and sick relatives over the past 10 years although, obviously, I had to ease off from some of the jobs I did.

All the voluntary work I was involved in was very flexible. I could choose my days and, in some cases my hours too.
This was important to me as I hate being organised by others, though I quite enjoy being the 'organiser'. After years of being "timetabled" it's a joy to have some freedom.
I'm now 70 and still fit enough to keep volunteering.
Covid curtailed things but I still work at the museum but no longer want to do the school visits. I also still do forestry work but this time, I plant trees and build dead hedges, drink coffee and eat cake.
Sorry for the long post but I hope it helps to show that there's a wealth of volunteering opportunities out there, it's just a case of finding what suits you.

I have been a school governor, and am a school volunteer hearing readers, and a foodbank helper. All of these activities bring me pleasure, and structure to my week.

I agree about the application forms Millie22 . I think it's lazy giving volunteers the same forms as full time employees. I understand references and safeguarding checks though.
I do one day a week in a charity shop and thoroughly enjoy the change of scene and meeting new people. I was lucky in that it was a new shop and I've been there since day one. I feel no pressure in taking time off or asking to change my day to suit me. I am doing them a favour by volunteering in the first place.
DH volunteers with the local air cadets as he enjoys aviation and outdoor pursuits.
You need to do something you enjoy. Never volunteer because you or somebody else thinks you should.