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Original poster

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

121 replies

pickingstrawberries · 22/07/2015 13:00

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 :)

OP posts:

WeePoppy · 22/07/2015 13:59

I don't have time to volunteer nowadays but I was a serial volunteer for years. I particularly enjoyed working with teens, doing conservation work and helping at Riding for the Disabled Association.

JennyOnAPlate · 22/07/2015 14:03

Guides, PTA and reading volunteer at DC's school.

The5DayChicken · 22/07/2015 14:07

I volunteer at our local children's centre. It helps keep community-serving services open while the government is removing funding. There are 5 different groups at our centre that are exclusively volunteer-run and volunteers also supplement the paid staff in other areas.

Sparklingbrook · 22/07/2015 14:07

Hospices always want volunteers, everything from Admin to Reception or Fundraising etc.

BornToFolk · 22/07/2015 14:13

Very interesting thread! I'm currently a parent governor at DS's school but I'm thinking of giving it up from September and doing some different kind of volunteering instead so this has given me lots of food for thought.

101handbags · 22/07/2015 14:28

I work in City & used to do volunteering in a local primary school reading with children who needed a bit of extra help, I loved it. I went a couple of lunchtimes a week. It was arranged through the charity Volunteer Reading Help (now Beanstalk).

DorotheaHomeAlone · 22/07/2015 14:35

Samaritans. Really amazing training and very rewarding work. It's quite a big commitment though. 2 day shifts and one overnight per month.

OvertiredandConfused · 22/07/2015 14:35

School governor and parish councillor are the main things I've done on a semi formal basis. I also do a lot in my church.

slicedfinger · 22/07/2015 14:37

I'm a Beanstalk volunteer, reading with 7 year olds two days a week. I love love love it.

AnnPerkins · 22/07/2015 14:38

I'm a school governor and used to be secretary of the village pre-school.

theblairbitchproject · 22/07/2015 14:38

Place marking

chairmeoh · 22/07/2015 14:38

I've been a receptionist at Relate, PTA chair., ad-hoc fundraising roles, cooking pre-walk meals for Moonwalk, marshalling fun runs, posting donation envelopes and collecting them one week later, befriender for older people.
Have a look at do-it trust. They have a brilliant database that lists voluntary roles by location, interest, commitment levels etc.

overthemill · 22/07/2015 14:38

Years ago was volunteer literacy tutor, have helped out at schools, am a 'good neighbour' in my village.

I want to volunteer with Guides or Brownies locally as they are in danger of folding. I would like to volunteer at CAB. And I also want to help out at Foodbank.

A friend is an older persons advocate in a nearby city- she says that is very rewarding.

Sadly with a very sick child I can do none of the above , but one day...

101handbags · 22/07/2015 14:41

slicedfinger I would love to go back but unfortunately the new school I was placed with wanted 3 lunchtimes a week (I was doing 2 in the previous school) and that just wasn't possible with my full-time job. It's a shame really as I always felt you could get a lot done in 2 sessions a week. It's a great thing to do.

budgiegirl · 22/07/2015 14:52

Cub leader and school govemor, DH is a kids cricket and football coach

muminhants1 · 22/07/2015 14:53

In the past I have been a school governor, running coach, helped at school fetes and the like, marshaled and helped in other ways at running events, written news reports for, and volunteered at my local parkrun, edited my running club newsletter, helped to organise a ball when I was a trainee solicitor, and volunteered at a law centre. I also used to organise pitches and referees for my son's football team's home matches. I've also written lots of articles for various magazines without payment.

There is a wide range of things you can do.

overthemill · 22/07/2015 14:55

Oh yes, school governer (twice) and on loads of committees, lottery boards etc plus NED on Health things. I always forget those are volunteering

SheGotAllDaMoves · 22/07/2015 14:57

Too much. DH goes potty .

In the past I have worked in a law centre, a needle exchange, an adult literacy class. I was a class helper in a primary school for several years (and my DC didn't even attend).

I am now a school governor (in a school my DC don't attend) and do lots of school visits for the Oxbridge widening participation scheme.

Coffeemarkone · 22/07/2015 14:58

Volunteer at a charity bookshop.
I would like to teach English overseas to girls and women in eg Kenya but have to wait for kids to turn 18.

Canyouforgiveher · 22/07/2015 15:00

I've done samaritans, teaching literacy, and reading to a child program. DH ran a volunteer sport activity/training for children for years. Also delivered meals on wheels.

HarrietSchulenberg · 22/07/2015 15:11

I've volunteered with environmental/conservation projects, schools and with a community intetest arts company. All good fun, and some of it led me to paid work .

GoringBit · 22/07/2015 15:16

In the past, I've done voluntary work with Samaritans, Childline, Newham Compact (mentoring GCSE students) and been a School Governor. All have been challenging and rewarding.

Having changed area, I'm going to work with the Independent Monitoring Board at a local prison, and am probably going to be involved with the local Credit Union. I'd love to be a magistrate, but I'm not sure I have the right skills for that... one day, maybe...

OverwhelmingEvidence · 22/07/2015 15:22

I've volunteered in the following ways:

Weekend kitchen help in a hospice
BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)
Summer Holiday Scheme for Children (from disadvantaged backgrounds)
Swimming club admin/recorder/sender etc
Then various one-off events e.g. PTA that kind of stuff
D of E Supervisor
Assistant Guide Leader

LarrytheCucumber · 22/07/2015 16:19

Apart from church things I have done admin with an autism charity, heard readers at DGC's school, been a school governor and am currently doing admin at another charity. Also trained for an advice line but wasn't very good at it because my mind kept going blank.
Make sure you choose something where there will be someone who supervises volunteers especially if you work for a charity. I left the autism charity (small one locally) because I would turn up and they would say 'Oh, we forgot you were coming.' or 'Oh there isn't really anything to do this week.' which is very annoying when you have set time aside and driven 20 minutes to get there.
Current charity is much better and the volunteer co-ordinator is a paid member of staff.

hstar1995 · 22/07/2015 16:26

I currently volunteer in a local women's refuge. It's so rewarding in that you really feel you make a difference to someone's life. It can be tough at times but in the end its worth it . If you can, perhaps consider volunteering at a refuge. Due to the recent cuts, I'm sure they'd be glad of the help, and its a valuable experience. It certainly broadened my mind

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