What sort of volunteer work would you/have you got involved with?

[pickingstrawberries]

I'm really interested in involving myself in something that I hope would benefit my community, and the people in it, and I suppose I'm just asking for some ideas and suggestions for what others do or what inspires others?

Thank you :)

Brownies and Guides at the moment. Would like to do something around providing respite care in the future.

I am an instructor with a youth group - for two evening a week and at least one weekend a month I work with 12-20 years olds. Personally I run adventure training (through them I have become a qualified walk leader, kayak instructor and climbing instructor), Duke of Edinburgh, First Aid Training and the organisation of weekend and week long camps away. I am a true volunteer but I have the option as others do in the organisation (The Air Cadets) to be paid for up to 28 days a year by taking on a greater range of 'military' options (I could still be paid for Adventure Traning though).

Voluntary work....I wouldn't do it if you paid me!

Mine have been specially to gain experience in the past I worked with young offenders, I'm about to start training to become a breastfeeding support worker and next year volunteer at a local sexual health charity.
I know someone who volunteers at the brownies and loves it

I'm waiting to start a course with Home Start.

I run a Brownie unit and mostly enjoy it

In the past I've helped at toddler groups (doing the crafts/accounts/setting up) and I used to do a morning in school every week doing whatever I was asked to do.

If I have the time when mine are older and more independent, I think I'd quite like to do Homestart as I really valued the lady who came to me after DC4 was born.

I worked voluntarily for rape crisis for a number of years - I was able to get involved in a wide range of things such as crisis support, staff management, funding bids, youth work and training

I volunteer for a local food bank :)

I help to run a woodcraft folk group. Would never have thought I could do it but it's actually fun though takes up a lot of mental space, more than I would have thought.

I have tutored through the big plus (long time ago now)

I have used home start and would say they are hugely important. As are mh charities like mind. And food banks, or maybe toddler groups in deprived areas, those are the kind of volunteering I would consider in future if I had time

I've done Welfare Rights advice, a buddy role, with people who have HIV, reading in schools and am currently doing Volunteer work with the Red Cross, with Asylum Seekers. I'm considering a buddy role with elderly/disabled people doing "outdoorsy" things.

There are loads of roles within each organisation. Everyone can find something to suit them, any age etc and with the cuts, every Charity is crying out for Volunteers.

It is a great way to get s reference, as well.

I've volunteered at a local animal rescue for a year (one morning a week) and have just moved to volunteering for our local RSPCA branch (which doesn't get charitable support from the RSPCA as it's a franchise - for want of a better word)

I also do ad-hoc bits in the community,.taking animals in and rescuing injured wildlife etc.

I'd like to train as a breastfeeding peer supporter but the course seems quite intense and I have MH illness that would get in the way.

Oh and CAB if you have the relevant skills- they really need help at moment

Having been volunteering with a Rainbow unit, am looking to adopt so it's been good to gain some experience with children plus I have moved recently so it's been helpful getting to know some new people.

I used to volunteer at a local charity fro disabled preschoolers for one afternoon a week. Boy, it was hard work but rewarding. I since became disabled and have considered mentoring. I'd like to work in a charity shop but not physically up to it.

My BFF volunteers at the V&A museum and loves it. Most large not for profit organisations will have whole departments dedicated to volunteers. Councils often do as well.

I always approached it in exactly the same way as a paid job in terms of my commitment. Sadly this isn't always the case.

I volunteer at the local CAB. You get good training and it is interesting challenging work.

Oh, another one, someone has recently started a weekly book club at my MIL's nursing home which she really enjoys as she can't see to read any more.

Working at the food bank
Helper with Riding for the Disabled
Steward/helper at sporting events

Cinnamon trust. Dog walking etc. Lovely to keep ill or elderly owners with their much loved pets.

Now I volunteer at a drop in centre once a week. In the past I worked at a youth group and about 20 years ago I volunteered on a playbus and at Mencap.

Some of my friends volunteer at soup kitchens and others work in charity shops.

I am a magistrate. Would recommend it whole heartedly as interesting, rewarding and stimulating voluntary work. And we really need a broad cross section of society to do it so that the Bench represents the community it serves - the average age of our Bench is 62 which is appalling! At 37 I am one of the very youngest - we need lots more younger people.

Tell me more about being a magistrate :)

Samaritans for 17 years.....loved it

I volunteer for a large museum, working with the public and supporting other volunteers. .

Things I've done in the past: run a toddler group, admin work in a small mh charity

Currently: reading buddy at DCs school, reading with children who need a bit of extra help, really enjoy this as working 1-1 and definitely see progress. Also I'm chair of management committee for my local community centre, as well as chairing meetings I do quite a bit on fundraising and marketing side.