Do you volunteer? If not, why not?

Volunteering doesn’t just have to be for a charity. Be active in your community, help out at the village jumble, give your time to chat at the coffee morning, help someone to the library, think of others. Just as important.

After I retired, I volunteered at an infants' school helping 6 and 7 year olds with their reading. It was delightful. I got to help out on school trips so got to go to theatres, adventure parks etc. I also got to watch school plays and concerts. I only gave up as it was a bit of a distance away and I don't drive. DH could no longer take me so I gave it up. I may do something again.

When my children were young I did a lot of volunteering(Samaritans and Feed the Children) but now I have far more family commitments to daughter and grandchildren.I would love to work in a charity shop but cannot make a regular commitment.That was the good thing with Feed the Children.It was a local charity and you could go to the depot at any time to help with the packing.Unfortunately it has now had to close down as it became too expensive to send goods abroad.

I volunteer on a helpline working from home. I can do it at times to suit me, so works well. I hope I help people and make their day easier.

As I am not able to go onto our WI Committee due to family commitments, I volunteer for various jobs no one else has picked up. EG I have set up at a local Primary School The Box Project providing sanitary items for girls from impoverished families. Now the Government is taking over we will stand back if this transpires.

I have run 2 fund-raisers with a Beetle Drive and handbag and Scarf sale.

It takes time, energy and help from friends and DH.

I volunteered with the Samaritans for about 4 years until I moved from Kent to Essex. I met some lovely people and hope that I made a difference.
I now volunteer one morning a week at our local hospital. I work behind the scenes helping out with admin. Doing this has really opened my eyes to the problems in the NHS.

All I do at the moment is a bit of litter picking when the group meets, and I'm on the committee of our local history group, if that counts. At home I knit for our premature baby units and assemble jigsaws for a local jigsaw festival, which raises money for local charities.

Helping with the grandsons takes priority for us at the moment though and we also like to make time for ourselves now that we're retired. I was planning to volunteer literacy support in primary schools when we're not needed so much, but we have another grandson on the way, so I'm not sure when that will be!

We lived in a town where volunteering was the norm. I enjoyed volunteering alongside part time work, it was all interesting and included advocacy, adult literacy, children’s groups and 1:1 support. I learned something from all of them and made some good friends. I also spent some years working as a (paid) Volunteer Coordinator and experienced volunteering from an organisational perspective. We have moved to an area where there are fewer opportunities. I did a few years with a children’s group until family circumstances changed and family needs clashed with the opening hours of the group. I’m trying to dip my toes back in but am struggling to find something that fits with physical limitations and has flexibility. I’ll persevere with the search as I miss being part of an organisation and the stimulation.

Volunteered for 30 years. Had enough.

Mr.Gravy and I have volunteered most of our lives. Unfortunately we are now committed to GC duties so that takes priority.

I volunteer for a morning, one day a week, in a charity shop; really enjoy it and it doesn't impinge on my free time as it's only a morning. Also, it appeals to my bargain hunting instincts - I've bought some really lovely things since I've been there!

I've just started volunteering in a charity shop and I love it. I get to meet all sorts of people and help a good cause too. I don't feel it is too much of a commitment as the shop can run without me.

I volunteer once a month at our church playgroup and it’s me who does the story and songs for the children at the end ( I was a nursery nurse in my first career)I also make cakes for them twice a month.

I belong to a knitting group in a centre that supports learning disability adults and do this once a week. The finished children’s jumpers go to Romanian orphanages. Some of the adults come to our church and are very welcome. They swapped to us when a previous church didn’t welcome them and refused to shake hands with them during the sharing of the peace( and they had the cheek to say they were Christians!) sorry that just made me cross. I help the lady sitting by me to find her place in the hymn book and service sheet and take her up to the altar with me for communion as she is scared to go on her own.

I also help prepare church for Sunday service on a Friday and am on the rota for reading the lesson. I enjoy them all. I work 1.5 days a week paid work so have something going on most days

I've got an interview with the RVS next week. They're looking for ward volunteers. Not sure exactly what's involved but I'm keen to find out.

I’ve volunteered for many things over the years but I don’t now, unless you call organising a book group volunteering.

I did sign up to volunteer with older people but it all took so long. Even after almost a year I still hadn’t had the necessary training. Then other things arose and as I was disillusioned with the charity, I decided to withdraw.

I would love to do something but it all involves a commitment ie. a certain number of hours on a certain day. I would feel guilty about letting people down if I couldn't do it one week, (DGC emergency or doctor visit etc.) It would be fine if I could do it as and when I wanted to but I understand that wouldn't work.

I think probably the commitment aspect puts a lot of people off and also ( me currently) health issues. Still able to do some low key things - writing to persecuted Christians e,g,
Would really like to do some primary tutoring but not via agency etc and of course wouldn't want paying but can't see a way to find someone who'd benefit. Can't really advertise!
Husband walks 2 lots of dogs for 2 people via Cinnamon Trust which he loves and does volunteer driving once a month.

I did fora while ...in small library but found it really boring, ditto charity bookshop, just not enough to do and I hate standing around bored ! I’d love to do something useful though

Have volunteered for different charities on and off over the years Kitty and made some good friends along the way as a nice bonus.Currently not doing any because caring for DGC has taken prominence, and certain health problems.