I've recently started volunteering with a local second hand shop. I had a five minute induction last week, had my first "shift" towards the end of the week.
The work isn't too strenuous, mainly involves folding and steaming clothing and then tagging it. I can't use my initiative because I've been told nothing about how the shop runs - I got given 3 black bags of clothing last week, told to take the tags off every single one and then put the same coloured tags straight back on but without pricing them.. Everything I do I have to ask "Shall I.. Do you need.. Would you like.." .. In the end they sent me home early as they said there was nothing else for me to do (was supposed to do 4 hours, I did 3)
The charity's website said they have a policy of paying all basic expenses for volunteers. I travel in 8 miles, paying £6 a day, asked the management about this. They said as I won't work "full time" I'm not entitled. They said I can't work more than I am (max 2 or 3 mornings a week) as they've too many employees and volunteers.
£6 a day, i.e. £20 a week for 3 shifts, is a lot of money for me as I have no income other than DLA and need to cough up over 1k by September for rent.. plus other expenses e.g. clothes, toiletries..
I spoke to my no-nonsense, child of the war gran last weekend who pointed out that if I'm going to bother travelling it should be for a paid job that I'd get something out of.
I'm a bit worried about work experience - however, I want to work as a holistic health type therapist or something (not sure how better to label it) and am kind of wondering what sort of w/e I am getting out of this - apart from maybe having a referee who can vouch for me being willing to work!!
(To put this all in context, I'm 22, haven't done any paid work since 16 despite endless applications/speculative letters, went direct from school to uni and then during uni ended up with MH issues/family issues so never been able to work..)
I have done a bit of voluntary work as it is although mainly with teens and children - worked with lower years at secondary school when I was in sixth year, have done two formal school placements, worked with Girlguiding for 6 years and have worked with teenagers online for a year (counselling them on sexual health and relationships).. I also have a "management" role in a uni society.
But surely if when I graduate uni next summer, and start searching for a job any prospective employer won't take on someone who hasn't been employed for years??
What would you do, would you quit?
AIBU to phone them up and say that I've changed my mind? Think I'll feel a right cow for letting them down :( and wont ever be able to show face in the shop again but maybe it's what I need to do?
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33 replies
littlemissshittingit · 14/07/2013 20:41
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