Volunteering

As I have already posted in "Is there life after cancer.....you bet there is" volunteering was the main catalyst in helping me overcome the aftermath of a near death situation and the depression brought on by my many cancer treatm ents,lonliness and aggressive radiotherapy.
Initially I had to dig deep into my own fragile resources to find a beginning........ and then initiate the volunteering myself.
When I was then approached to do this kind of work on a permanent basis, I jumped in with both feet.
Then this snowballed into an area that none of us had pre arranged or expected ........but it led to totally changing my life.......and many others too.
Indeed,yes there followed years of turbulence getting to the main area of my volunteering in our Cancer Centre, but the involvement and hard work involved in getting to that point were therapeutic to say the least.
Counselling then filled my time thereafter and it meant that there was never time to be sorry for myself and I constantly felt needed and truly fulfilled.

The deep hole of loneliness and depression were long forgotten.

I've volunteered for years with mixed feelings. When I was still working I volunteered at Oxfam sorting clothes but tbh I found the hierarchy amongst the staff worse than any paid job.
I wasn't considered experieneced enough to price items...... I had raised 3 children by then!
Then I worked with a disabled charity. That was better because I really felt valued and made new friends.
Now I help at a community garden and love it although I find I get sucked in to do more and more and find it very hard to say no.
How do you retire from voluntary work without moving away?
I feel guilty if I leave others to bear the brunt.

Nanny123 I could not agree more, you are so right.

Also am glad that volunteering turned things around for you, you could have just sat and did nothing but complain, but you did not.. you went out there and made it happen for yourself!! I love people like that, doer's not moaners. I wish I could have you as a real friend not just virtua,l because I love to be around doer's -positive people.

Well done to you x x

I have not had a good experience of volunteering. Firstly applied to a national charity - local branch, for home visits for people who were housebound, went through the CRB as it was then etc. and didn't ever hear anything back. Then a charity for older people asked for befrienders. I applied but locally was told there was no need but they could do with benefit claims assistance. I agreed but ended up assisting people who didn't need or in some cases even want benefits to get them. I then applied to the National Trust locally and they said great, come and do some admin. To be honest I thought nah, think I'll pass on that one.

I understand and believe in DBS check where children are concerned, but many voluntary groups are insisting up on them when not needed. My friend (ex Met Officer ) aged 78 offered to visit males near his home who are living alone. Charity told him sorry you cannot without a DBS check, the letter was very curt. It annoyed him for being very curt, so he said get lost, now he does a great job regularly visiting neighbours and shopping for them when needed he has lots of new friends and loves the visits. He smiles as says nobody can stop him or tell him to get a DBS police clearance. Is he
wrong or right in helping people as a neighbourly gesture?.

Wow! That's great! Volunteering is a great thing to serve in the community. That feels really better to help in the community. It also provides you the opportunity to spend time with new people. Since 2016, my Aunt also contributed in the local volunteering program to help in the community, but after servings to the locals she wished to travel to abroad and help communities overseas. She recently visited in the mission humanitaire (http://www.mission-humanitaire-afrique.org/) program and help the community at overseas which feels good. She told me that she had a very good experience by volunteering overseas.

Just looked at the do-it site. Very good....but a bit slow to load!

Brilliant BB!

Just thought I'd update you all. I heared from the school yesterday and the answer was Yes !

I've just checked out that link.
God it's slow, you get a timer every time you load a new page. Sorry just wingeing
May be useful for you BB

May I suggest you look at this website

www.do-it.org

as it lists loads of volunteer vacancies for many charities.

Sorry - I must have got the wrong end of the stick on payment.
Hoping you find the volunteer work that suits you, BB.

It depends how fit you are BB, Brownies are probably the easiest. I'm sure you'd be a boon with craft stuff or cooking.

I shall be 73 in December NfKdumpling Might I not be a tad too old ?

If you like being around kids BB have you thought of Scouts? There's usually enough help with the little ones but from Cubs and Brownies up many groups are short of adult helpers. It's not essential to go into uniform.

All DBS checks for volunteers are free of charge, as were CRB volunteer checks before them.

I volunteer for several things and have never had to pay for a dbs check.
I would recommend volunteering - there is so much choice. It gets you out and about meeting people and is very interesting.

I've never had to pay for my dbs checks. I've volunteered more or less since the children started school, in a school, court, a rape charity and The Alzheimer's Society. They haven't been necessary in all roles.

Thanks Anya I will look in to that

The CRB has now been replaced by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check....same thing really just under a different name.

BB I've just started volunteer work with the Integrated Disability Service. If you have something similar locally this might be of interest to you. You work with a family who have a child (or children) wth a disability by visiting them at a mutually agreed time, about once a week, and help the mother (usually) by being an extra pair of hands, or offer her an hour or two of respite, or whatever is necessary.

These are usually mums who are exhausted by the demands put on them by their child's disability.

I've never had to pay for a CRB check to volunteer at the grandchildren's school or to work with the Ambulance Service. Do you think your offer to help got overlooked BB ? Schools are usually crying out for volunteers.

I'd pay for the check myself. I don't think I would be turned down as I was the"'designated person for child protection tion' for several years

BBevan - i wonder if it's anything to do with all the obligatory checks and references volunteers have to submit to.
My years of volunteering were up to 20 years ago. At first I was accepted, no questions. But soon after volunteers had to be checked for police records etc. Especially if you wanted to work with children. And you had to pay for a certificate of clean record. It must have put a lot of people off.
OTOH, I know of someone in rural Devon, aged 79, who still goes into a primary school to help with the children with their reading. Having done it at the same school for 20+ years.
Perhaps your school thinks it's too much hassle?

Thank you Anya I wouldn't have minded tidying the library or washing the paint pots. Ah well!

I'm a volunteer at our local museum and also help out with our local woodland management. Keeps me active and give DH a few hours peace too. ?