Volunteering shouldn't be this hard, surely?

If you can commit to a rota of hours to volunteer then I’m sure you would have no trouble.

Half in half out whenever it suits you won’t work for most charities as they need to provide a reliable service, and may have a legal obligation to do so - for their governance regarding service management and risk assessment they have to demand you sign a contract to supply a certain cover of hours.

Being bored senseless in your retirement doesn’t qualify you as a volunteer that most charities want.

As a previous poster said, the charities aren’t there for you, you volunteer for them.

Sounds like you need a casual job or a course of study.

Cast your net wider.
Maybe start a craft based online business?

I volunteered at my local primary school. As a teacher myself I felt I could help out hearing readers etc. All the essential but mundane things. But things were not good. I think the staff resented my experience; not that I ever mentioned it myself. I struggled on for two years then Covid hit and I did not return. Sad really

I applied to the Independent Monitoring Board of my local prison. Each board has a limited number of members and are expected to do at least 4 days per month. We offer available days for a rota, which is drawn up every 2 months.
Look out for HMP independent monitoring board , or go to ministry of justice . You are required to be within 25miles of prison as could be called at night ( on your day) in an incident, to observe . Role is to monitor how the prison treats prisoners and staff and try to answer prisoner queries and complaints..all in the interest of fairness and decency for all. We do a yearly report to Minister of justice. Not too onerous and keeps brain ticking if you have retired from a demanding career.

That’s the reason after 7 years I stopped volunteering. Found I was treated as if I was a paid member of staff without the money,

I volunteer with an organisation in Bristol. I work with clients one to one. Once I have been allocated a client I arrange my time directly with them so it is very flexible. I try to keep to a set day & time but I can still take holidays when I like or make alternative arrangements when needed. Keep looking for something that suits you, maybe a befriending /home visit role would work rather than roles that are fixed to a rota.

I volunteer for the National Trust and there are loads of opportunities depending on your interest.I also help out at our local Tourist Information which is volunteer run.

I used to volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau. Very flexible hours amongst their bank of volunteers.

'Volunteering' is quite a competitive field! I'm afraid your desire to help out when you feel like it but with no commitment isn't going to put you top of the list!

My Husband volunteers for the National Trust and they seem very grateful for any time you can offer. I volunteer for our local Hospisce and again they are happy with what you can give. I think a lot of these places are very short of volunteers.

How about your local library? Ours is run by volunteers and we don’t require anything like that sort of commitment

Before Covid I had spent many years offering my professional services to two specialist counselling organizations for one day a week, half a day each. I worked on a paid basis on the other four days for three other organizations. Apart from my annual holidays I prioritized my work both voluntary and paid. Odd days of volunteering do not really work if people are depending on you being there for them. If you are serious about volunteering and not just filling in the hours when you are 'bored silly' perhaps you need to rethink how you want the future to look for you? If you can make the organization more important than you are then go for it. If not then perhaps this is just not the right time for you to consider voluntary work.

Our local library has a register with all the local companies that are looking for volunteers - so many different organizations advertise in it

Fundraising from holding a bucket to writing a funding bid to search for funding to giving talks presenting there is lots as when thing to do .

It costs a lot to recruit and administer volunteers , if you volunteer at a hospital there is a lot of training you have to do for example, which costs and that you have to do so you understand all the policies . If the role is one that needs doing every weekday not just it's a nice extra, the hospital needs to know you can make a commitment, they do get that there will be times when you are away, or unwell, so on top of not being regular you will also be away occasionally because of stuff like that. And so far away I'm not surprised that unless you have a rare skill they would be reluctant to pay the extra expenses. 10 miles @ 50 p a mile each way would be a tenner, at 28 miles away that would be an extra 14 quid, you'd get free parking plus probably a token meal voucher if you were there the whole day.
There is an amazing range of volunteer roles, in an event to present long service awards to volunteers I was sitting next to lady who had volunteered for 30 years helping people who needed help to learn about camouflage make up, for people who needed help, eg because they had vitiligo.
It's got to be the right role for the organisation and for you.
If you can do bookkeeping or accounts there are many organisations that need a treasurer, most of this could be done in your own time, if you were a trustee you would need to commit to some meetings as well. We don't know what you talents are and what sort of volunteering you. But as someone who has volunteered for years and been involved with the administration of volunteers I know a bit about it
There are always adhoc volunteering opportunities, for example locally the rotary club is after volunteers to do a stunt on their Santa sledge at the local supermarket. There are a lot of drop instructions locally and they can always have an extra volunteer for.making tea or washing up. Local historical.or.family history societies often have indexing and transcription projects which again can be done in your own time. Our community bus operates on volunteer drivers and administrators.
Register with your local volunteer services in your own town, the fact that you are willing to travel may mean there is a wider range of places you could go than someone who is reliant on the bus after 9.30

What about phone work from home for The good neighbour scheme

I used to volunteer with WRVS. I took clients to hospital appointments and the elderly for shopping .The shopping was regularly but the Hosp Apps tended to be more random. If you have a local branch it's worth giving them a call. They are very flexible.

You would never be bored if you joined your local u3a. I am on the Committee of ours so very involved with the running of it too, but for ordinary members, there are Speaker meetings, Outings and special Interest groups - eg walking groups, language groups, Philosophy, History, Canasta, Scrabble etc. You can do as much or as little as you like. I never have time to be bored, in fact I wonder now how I ever had time to work!
Good luck with finding something that suits!

Oxfam shop need volunteers. National trust always need volunteers

What governor of school college or NHS Trust a few meeting a year online ( hopefully now) and engagement events if you are free.

Then there is trustee of charities a few meeting a year and interested in charity.

Being a guest / co host/ volunteer at local community radio station. Does not have be all the time but can be if you host a show .

Befriending load of charity need this

Transport of charities ie blind charities need drivers when available.

aonk

I have a friend with the same problem. She now volunteers for a charity which organises transport to hospital appointments etc. Apparently you can block off the days you’re busy on the website and also choose days and times when you’re available. I’m afraid I don’t have any more details. My friend lives quite far from me but I think this service is quite widespread.

I used to do that, and once a month used to spend a whole day on the phone, taking the calls and finding volunteer drivers. But fairly often I couldn’t find anyone willing, and ended up doing it myself.

I only stopped after a few years when the number of people who were frankly taking the P*, using it as a free taxi service, when it was supposed to be for those who genuinely were unable to use public transport (and ours is very good) not to mention one old bloke groping me in the car! - just got a bit too much.

*I mean e.g. people wearing obviously new and expensive clothes, who liked to tell me en route that they regularly ate in this or that restaurant we passed on the way!

OTOH it was so often those who were evidently very far from affluent, who’d try to give me a pound for my petrol. 🙁

I have worked for a charity for many years. We had volunteers and also ‘bank’ volunteers who we could ring at short notice to cover sickness or absence. Maybe that might suit you? They knew they could say no if it wasn’t convenient for them, but it worked well.

Have you got a local Hospice they use Navigators who organise their own time with their patients. I was one for 5 years and it is a lovely job to do in the community.
Do you have a carers group, they too need volunteers and even though they meet on set days, there is lots of work that needs doing in the background.
U3A are always looking for Volunteers
Your community Transport company driving people to and from hospital or other appointments is flexible too as lots have already said. There is so much volunteering out there. The country has come to rely on volunteers, so no it should not be difficult to find organisations who would welcome you with open arms. Good luck in finding something you will really enjoy doing

Funny you say Brexit has stopped your travel. Why?
My family, live in Europe, and us from UK have found travel just as easy, in fact theyre so friendly at Schipol, so organised, it takes no longer than usually 15 mins to get through, quick stamp and smile off we go. Not stopped us. As for volunteering g, you can't usually pick and choose, if you volunteer you make a commitment to certain hours or days. That's why I chose not to. Had enough during my working days.

I should have said it's an infant/primary school.

Age UK do a Befriending Service?

www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/

www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/telephone-friend/

I just hate making phone calls now though which is a shame.