Duke of Edinburgh

[Underconstruction]

DD1 is struggling to find a voluntary role for her DofE bronze because she is 13 (young in the school year) and too young for almost every voluntary role we can find. The local library takes her age group, but is fully subscribed, presumably by all the other stranded 13 year olds. I've looked at other DofE threads, but they are mostly by parents desperate to prise reluctant teens off the sofa and out of the door ... this teen (clearly a changeling, though I did eat a lot of banana sandwiches with a sweet old lady before dropping out of DofE and returning to my sofa) Does anyone have any good ideas/suggestions as to organisations willing to keep her busy for an hour a week?

[Justgivemesomepeace]

Is she sporty? Could she coach a young sports team? Could she help at messy church, or a youth group? Mine worked on the school farm for hers. She worked on the garden centre bit learning to grow plants.

[Ohyesiam]

My dd helps run the cub group that is attached to her scout group for d of e. She is 13, august birthday, and it's just right for her.

[Chopchopbusybusy]

Helping at brownies or rainbows. Charity shop. She may be considered too young for the till but she could maybe sort donations. Food bank.

[GoldenMalicious]

DS's school are setting up a mentoring scheme, where the older kids can mentor younger ones in their strongest subjects. They've been told that they can use this to count towards the volunteering section of DofE. Otherwise, we were similarly stuck for ideas.

[Snagz]

Most people I know when I did it did a form of Guides etc or sports coaching.

[Leeds2]

My DD helped at an animal rescue place. Not sure how old she was, possibly 14. Her friends typically helped at Rainbows/Brownies, or in charity shops.
A friend's son helped at a food bank. I'm not sure how old he was, but his mum volunteered at the same time so that might have made a difference.

[MoodyMumOfOne]

How about at her old primary school? My Dd volunteered at brownies (others have already given this as a suggestion) but some of her friends helped at primary after school clubs, art club etc that they themselves used to do. If really stuck, do you have a friend who has younger children that she could play/help with for an hour a week for the specified time frame? That sort of thing would be accepted I'm sure.

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

DS did his in the school library rather than the public one - is that an option? I sympathise - it’s a real challenge when they’re at Bronze level. DS wanted to work at one of the local animal rescues but not a chance at his age - they all wanted 18 year olds

The primary school suggestion is a good one - some of ours have done that too.

[didyoureally]

My DS and other kids I know have volunteered with Brownies, Rainbows, Cubs etc and most have stayed on for Silver D of E too. We tried with a local animal charity but they would only accept him if I accompanied him so I imagine the same would apply for other charities.

[Caulk]

Marshalling for park run? Contact local church about some befriending? Community litter picking?

[LadyWire]

She can help at Rainbows, Brownies or Guides at 13.

[Rhubardandcustard]

Food bank, riding for the disabled, dog shelters, church halls - help at a fete/good as new stalls, any charities near by they could always do with an extra pair of hands.

[BrioAmio]

I was young for my year and I think I did Riding for the Disabled for my volunteering, I was allowed to do everything with the horses until such point as the rider getting on and at that point an adult had to lead the horse but we were allowed to be the helper that walked next to the rider.

[FlippingBottleFlippers]

My son helped the PTA at his former primary school, he easily racked up hours manning stalls at fundraisers, helping set up rooms for events, bag packing etc. I’d imagine most PTAs would be grateful for helping hand and he enjoyed giving something back to his old school.

[lljkk]

I think DD got her participation in the school musical to count for her volunteer work. Because it raises a lot of money for the school & is good for morale, etc. Rehearsals take up 4-6 hours every Saturday for 6 months & she's only in the Ensemble, ought to count for SOMETHING.

[WaxOnFeckOff]

It doesn't need to be an organisation, just someone who isn't a family member to sign it off. Could she help a neighbour with some child activities such as crafts or something? An elderly neighbour with some shopping or tidying? One of the boys in my son's group gave some lessons in using a PC/the internet to residents at a care home.

[bubby64]

Both my DS worked at an animal rescue place. It was a faff getting them there each Saturday morning, but at least it was done.

[AuntieStella]

Parkrun.

They have a programme for DofEd volunteers, in the volunteer roles which deliver the event, and they definitely take 13 yos.

www.parkrun.org.uk

Find your local one from the map under 'events' and email the organisers office for more info.

[Lexilooo]

Listening to the younger children at school read (ones who need extra help)

[Lexilooo]

There is a charity which need volunteers to read magazines onto audio files for partially sighted people. Can't remember their name but I know people who have volunteered and received the magazines. You do it at home so age shouldn't be an issue.