It feels brilliant to be of use again.

Well done. I'm glad you are enjoying it. Yes it's lovely. After retirement, I volunteered in a primary school helping 5 and 6 year olds with their reading. It was delightful.

Kate949
Its that feeling of being useful, worthwhile isnt it.

Well done Serendipity, that will help a lot of people. I’m pleased to be able to give informal legal advice to people who can’t afford to, or are afraid to, see a solicitor. When I qualified there was a little tea party given by the Law Society and we were all told it was our duty to use our qualification to help people. I have tried to do that.

Brilliant Serendipity22 that will be really appreciated. You’ll find it gratifying as well as helping with the class. I too volunteer, I enjoy it, as well as it getting me out of the house other people have interesting backgrounds.

Yes it is Serendipity. I got to go on school trips too. A theatre trip, Cadbury World etc. Hard work keeping track of the little dears but lovely.

Well done serendipity glad you have found something tht makes you feel and does good for others.

Thank you so much Germanshepherd Jaxjacky and Kate1949

Its what i am put on the planet for ( thats how i view my whole life) to help others....

I am so happy that i think i will have a Baileys tonight.... WHAT THE HECK !

( I know Baileys isn't red, but this is the only symbol hahaha )

Have two!

Volunteering is so rewarding you will be much appreciated by those you help Serendipity. Well done and thank you.

For a few years I taught 50+ to use their laptops. The library services provided free courses: 2 hours a week for 6 weeks. I remember one couple being over the moon when they learnt how to skype their daughter in New Zealand.

I'm currently waiting to hear from Cornwall Mind as I've offered my time to help with a craft group for those with mental health problems.

The hardest volunteering I did was after I retired. For four years I was a school governor and at the end of my first year, I became the Chair of Governors. Many evenings receiving training and lots of meetings ,as well as going into the school to meet staff, children and parents. Again, very worthwhile but stressful as I and two other governors were interviewed by Ofsted during an inspection. We had to very knowledgeable about progress and management in the school. I was also on the panel interviewing prospective candidates for the headship.

I volunteer on an online Support Group for a rare health condition which I have myself, and I'm now an admin.

I'm lucky because I've been able to keep doing it all through the pandemic and I find it very rewarding. I've made online friends all over the world, and I think it has kept me sane during lockdowns. I can do as much or as little as I like during the day, so if I'm having a flare up and am not well myself, it doesn't matter.

Ooooooo well, why on earth not! Germanshepherd ( sip sip )

Thank you muse

FANTASTIC Sparklefizz so rewarding.

Mr HB does a lot of volunteering in his retirement. He strongly feels that while he is sound in mind and body he should give to the community. He does a mixture of people and wildlife but finds it all rewarding.

Hats off to you Mr HB

GSM I doubt that offering professional advice - be it medical or legal - is a responsible way to ‘help’ anyone, even ‘informally’ (whatever that means) and however well intentioned you are. Someone taking your legal advice rather than speaking to a solicitor should be reassured that you hold a current Practising Certificate and Indemnity Insurance, for your own sake as well as themselves.

I’m a solicitor of over 40 years’ experience Grandmafrench, but as I have now retired the advice I give has to be purely informal. It doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m talking about and can’t give some informal assistance to people within my field of knowledge. I really don’t need your advice regarding insurance thank you and find your post quite insulting.

Personally speaking, my view is everyone needs help in their lives at some point and for someone to offer that help be it solve the problem, point them in the right direction or offer suggestions, then i think that is immensely beneficial to someone who is struggling and unsure.

Thanks Serendipity. I don’t know what grandmafrench thinks I get up to but she makes me feel like the legal profession’s equivalent of a back street abortionist and has soured a nice thread.

GSM I agree with you - sometimes we only need advice on what to do and where to go to get the help we need, and if you can provide that to people unable to afford huge solicitors bills then good on you. You are probably aware, for instance, of how people can get financial help with legal costs, and what sort of legal help people need for their particular problem. All things I now nothing about and would be grateful for someone to point me in the right direction if I ever needed it.

GSM you contributions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks AreWeThereYet. That’s exactly what people often need. Talking something over and identifying the real issues (not always what people think they are) and suggesting a way forward, which may or may not mean they then have to go to a law firm to progress matters, does help people and give them the confidence to phone a local solicitor if necessary. And some people receive a letter or notice that they don’t understand or perhaps can’t read properly, and need it explained. I’m pleased if anyone who knows my background feels that they can ask for my advice without embarrassment. Of course I can’t for instance do their conveyancing or prepare their will or represent them in court but having a chat and pointing them in the right direction, maybe helping them to fill in some forms, can in my experience lift burdens which have come to take over their lives.

Thanks MacCavity.?

Don't know how 'useful' I am but certainly glad to be back out in the community again and approaching what was my normality. Hallelujah!

Saying hello to someone in the street is helpful, believe me.