Do you volunteer?

Does your area have a "Ring & Ride" or "Link Scheme" which involves driving people to hospitals/doctors' surgeries/ shops or sometimes doing things for older people. Worthwhile and you meet such interesting people on your drives! It's called Community Voluntary Action here but VIP in some places. And you can say no when something else is in your calendar which is great too.

when my husband died we had been married 55 years so I knew I had to do something or vegetate and I did 2 things first I volunterd at local Red Cross shop and 2nd asked my son to take me to buy a computer which I had always been interested in using one. that was 8 years ago I am still doing both and enjoy it all. I am 82 years young and enjoying life so my message is do something posative and enjoy it all

I used to volunteer at or local neighbourhood centre, making tea and coffee for people who dropped in for a chat. Many were domestic violence victims, and it really bothered me. I wanted to go and bash up their violent husbands. My husband was on the emergency housing committee, and would try to help some of them get the chance to escape. He too found it hard to remain objective. Eventually I went to work full time when our youngest started school, and we stopped volunteering.

Now I would like to teach ESL to refugees, but as a carer for my husband, it just isn't feasible. Instead I'm selfish, and go to a writers' group once a week instead.

pumpfix - "mock SATS"!! That is so bad.

I know its not your field though.

I have been a volunteer reader at a local junior school for the last 3 years. I thoroughly enjoy it and feel it is a very worthwhile way of spending some of my free time doing. I am sometimes asked to help the children with making things like masks or helping them with their paintings, and also helping some of the slower children with mock SATS exams, some of them need a bit of motivation to get through the papers. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, you choose how often you go in but you will need a CRB check before you start, which takes about 4-6 weeks to come through.

I was brought up in a "volunteering" family & have volunteered for most of my life (although very little the last 10 years when elderly parents took all of my spare time).
I'd agree that volunteering is whatever you decide, although I am much more the "pushing trolley" volunteer than the "IT" kind as I prefer people contact
Settling in to a new phase of my life at the moment, and looking around to see what to do (as discussed on the "big society" thread.

There is more about volunteering on the Big Society thread

Hi I retired two years ago and was a teacher in a secondary school and also head of house, I decided to volunteer as a Governor in my local primary school. I can go in when I want to listen to reading or help out in other ways, I do find this rewarding. I am also on a panel for young offenders which is very interesting. I went to our local Volunteering office and did a 8 week course (one night a week) about volunteering then groups who want volunteers came in to do a pitch and you could ask questions of the ones you found interesting. My friend is an appropriate adult and she is called in when a young person in arrested and does not have their parents there, to ensure that they get their rights. Lots of interesting things to do that keeps your brain active, that is what I wanted. Hope this helps

If you volunteer at Oxfam whatever your ability you would certainly be encouraged to use the skills you have and that could include IT work . Jobless people are likewise encouraged through Oxfam to improve their computer skills within the demands of the particular store. If you contact the head Office at Oxford you can easily get more information.

Interesting stereotype of volunteers there Getmehrt

Magistrates and special constables are volunteers. Also trustees of charities. And the people who actually give the advice in CAB.

Lots of schools are desperate for governors. Or for people to come in and listen to kids read.

Find something you like doing! No point serving in Oxfam if you would rather be creating a database or helping jobless people with their computer skills. Good luck.

I am volunteering 2 days a week at the Citizens Advice Bureau, they always need volunteers in lots of different roles. I am working as a PA to the manager.

Some local authorities have volunteering web sites that you can have a look on and see whats needed and by whom....good luck getmehrt..sure you will be welcomed with open arms.

Try some of the charities like Red Cross, Sue Ryder, Age UK etc - they usually offer ways of using volunteer's skills.
I'm sure they'd be only to glad to use your abilities. Good luck!