Volunteering... help restore my faith!

I volunteer with the Samaritans. I love it both for the lovely colleagues ( nicest group of people ever) and the wonderful conversations we have with our callers. It’s such a privilege to engage with someone who has had the courage to call and speak to a stranger.

Some of my branch members are incredible with their generosity with their time.

I volunteer in a school for a few hours a week. I’d like to do more, but it’s difficult.

I volunteer as a cub leader, I've been doing it 15 years, and I love it.

But what's amazing is how many people in our town do voluntary work.

There's librarians, theatre staff, book shop staff, museum staff, charity shop staff, firefighters, readers at school, scout leaders, guide leaders, Boys Brigade, Army cadets, sea cadets, football coaches, cricket coaches, tennis coaches, school governors, a team who look after parks and gardens, a team who organise several weekend events for the town including parades, Christmas light turn on and food markets, a team who organise a medieval festival, a team who organise a music festival and a cider festival, town councillors, parish councillors, food bank, and no doubt many more that I've forgotten about.

The difference it would make to our town if there were no volunteers is phenomenal. And yet there are still so many people who moan and complain (particularly on Facebook) that there's not enough to do in our town, or there's a lack of facilities. But they are not willing to step up and help to get even more done.

I took my DC to volunteer with a community collection for Ukraine a few years ago. We worked for 3 hours sorting clothes, medical supplies, toiletries, sleeping bags etc. DC were only little (7 & 10 maybe?) and it blew their minds that they could be contributing. They worked really hard and were a real help - they were so proud of themselves. It really brought home the value that volunteering can bring to the volunteer.

I am a school governor, it is hard work sometimes but I do enjoy it.

Ps I am very jealous that you live in Swansea, it is one of our favourite areas to visit for a holiday!

I love volunteering. I’m a guide leader and I help out with a food waste project. I’m also on the board of a children’s charity. I’m getting so many transferable skills from all of this, especially the board which is helping me with my career aspirations!

I used to do this - I was actually quite surprised to find out it’s still running in our area. Maybe I should go back … I was team lead but terribly disruptive, often had to leave while other people were recording as I’d get the giggles.

I used to volunteer as a cat fosterer. I cared for over 100 cats and 4 sets of kittens were born in my house but COVID ruined everything and the charity was forced to close its doors. I loved it so much my absolute dream if I didn't have to work would be to open a sanctuary for all animals. Sadly I can't foster anymore because I have three cats (one was the last cat in our care before the charity closed, 2 are strays that i somehow acquired)

I volunteer with a charity that helps mums struggling with young children. I just listen and provide a supportive ear. Not much really but it makes me feel better about my hideous corporate job and I've heard some lovely stories about where there lives have gone after my time with them has finished.

I run a Brownie unit have done for years. It is often rewarding, often frustrating and takes up a lot of time. How successful it is often depends on the level of parental support you get. Some parents embrace it and encourage the girls to do things at home related to badges etc, some use it as a cheap way to have an hour and half free if they can be bothered to bring the girls. Some seem to think we are paid to do it. But I love it , have made many good friends through it and lots of the girls still keep in touch.

16 years ago an American lass moved to a little Greek island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and said why aren't there any women's groups here? I said because no one has started one! So she said, would you join a group who's ethos is founded on three pillars, friendship, personal growth and community service and I said abso-bloody-lutely!
We convinced others to join us, and 7 months later our group was born. We had twenty members for our inaugural meeting, 16 years later we have raised thousands of euros for various charities, empowered our members had MANY fun events and currently have over a hundred members.
I am so proud of our group and our achievements.. We've definitely brightened this little corner of the world.

I volunteer for Homestart - two hours a week supporting a family with young children who are struggling. It is a brilliant organisation and now my DC are grown up it is lovely to spend time with the little ones!

I have volunteered for the last 30 years (a few different organisations).
It changed my life, because it led me to a completely new career.
I made good friends.
I learnt so much.
I'm still volunteering, and also about to start a new voluntary role.

Yes, sometimes it can be frustrating, overwhelming, annoying etc, but that's just life.
I don't know what people actually do with their time, if they don't volunteer.

Thank you very much. I do it mainly to pay back for what the hospital did for my husband when he was very ill a few years ago. Thankfully he's still here and fighting fit so we owe them a huge debt.

Nothing special but I read the local newspapers for the blind. Talking News, started when my mum went blind due to diabetes. We read onto memory sticks and they get posted out each week.

I spent 10 years working for a search & rescue team, for the police. Those we searched for were split roughly one third despondents, one third those with some form of dementia, and the final third a mixture of lost, injured, victims of accidents and crimes.

It was challenging, sometimes difficult, and I loved it. I was always inspired by the resilience of my colleagues.

One of my volunteer positions also helped me to secure a part time paid job in the local area too this year.

I volunteer for a local massive choir festival, it takes a year of work to put on and money raised goes to help set up wellbeing choirs.

I volunteered for a local kids clothing bank but it was a bit dodgy and they didn’t necessarily understand the rules of setting up a charity.

I volunteer on and off with the school when I can. But not in PTA - not for me, the personalities etc…

I volunteer to listen to the children read in our infant school, I really enjoy it.
Also how nice a job the council have made along Mumbles front Op . If I lived nearer I’d volunteer to look after the plants.

I'm a hospital volunteer. It didn't start off well, I was in a ward helping with admin and handing out meals. The staff, except for the health care assistants, cleaners and ward manager were hostile. They would ignore me if I spoke to them and refused to help if I asked them something. I have no idea why. I asked to be moved and now I do meet and greet at reception, which is lovely. Today I escorted a bewildered elderly man to his appointment as his son was delayed. It was lovely to gain his trust and chat with him till his son arrived.