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 :)

I'm governor at a primary school

Dd DH and I all volunteer at a local animal rescue cleaning out rabbits and taking dogs for a walk.

I've done something for most of DC's clubs.

When I was younger, prior to nursing I was a hospital volunteer. I worked in out patient tea bars, the hospital library ,and an orthopaedics ward where I ran errands ,made beds ,and helped bed rest people wash their hair etc .

When children were smallish and just at school I worked in a day centre for the elderly serving up lunches and doing the lambeth walk - oy !

I run a Brownie unit. It's exhausting great fun!

I volunteer as a pro bono legal advisor for a welsh parenting charity (FNF / Both Parents Matter ) it's great to be able to helpums , dads and grand parents who can't afford legal advice and no longer qualify for legal aid. As trite as it sounds I really enjoy giving something back.

I've volunteered at the CAB and taught adult literacy in the past.

I am currently a magistrate and have been for 20 years. Not sure how much longer that will last Gove has sent out a consultation document for his proposal to close 91 magistrates courts across the country. Courts and magistrates may very quickly become a thing of the past.

Samaritan for about three years loved it whilst I did it, from listening to being on the committee , had to stop due to different work commitments. I miss it , but not at 3 am if I am very honest. Want to go back to it but have to retrain entirely and at the moment I can't commit the time. BUT it is SO rewarding.

Volunteered at nursery/play school when children were young, later helped with beavers, Cubs and scouts, also PTFA
Family support volunteer, did a stint at night line too
Family group meeting project volunteer
16 years ago I became a volunteer advocate (now I manage the charity!)
Currently I volunteer with a CIC who support adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

I used to volunteer in a care home for the elderly. Just go in sit with them and have a chat. Read to ones who still enjoyed newspapers/magazines/books but were unable to do so themselves now. Join in to help with activities. Would go on days out with them to either push them in wheelchairs or assist ones who could walk but needed someone with them
I found it very rewarding and am mow employed there as a carer

DidgeDoolittle - having just read the consultation, It seems only the underused courts will close.

Certainly the one near me that they are proposing closing has not had criminal cases listed for the last year. The cases have been moved to a larger court, it seems a fair bit of this has happened in the last couple of years.

I know there are less court cases recently which explains why most areas are not recruiting magistrates and why competition is so hard to get in, but I don't read the consultation as the work going away? Or do you think I'm being naive?

I volunteered as a 'feeder' at my local hospital. It involved helping elderly people on the ward to eat, because no one else had the time, and it meant that some people were not eating simply because they couldn't take the lids off of the yogurts, or because the trays were put out of their reach.

I only lasted a month. I just couldn't face going again. It was awful and I reported 3 members of staff in my time there which was received with a shrug.

It has made me terrified of the thought of being trapped on a hospital ward in my own old age.

CAB.
Teaching English to refugees.
Reading with kids in the primary school
Running a club at the primary school and general helping out

(Not superwoman - this has been over a long period)

Tried to be a magistrate but they were over subscribed in my area and didn't need anyone.

I love volunteering. It gives me new skills and I meet new people and I believe that everyone contributes to society in whatever way they can. When I had no time but earnt good money I paid high taxes and gave to charity. Now I have time but no money. Volunteering is the answer.

I have done the money envelope thing for mencap,volunteered at a project for young women who had been sexually abused,helped on a holiday for people with physical disabilities,helped at a summer playscheme and helped at various fundraisers.
I'm not sure I was a good fit for any of them tbh.

I would like to get involved in a community project -like a community run garden or shop.

I was a Beaver Scout Leader for 7 years and then ADC Beavers for a year.
Helped in DCs' primaryschool with reading/spellings etc for about 4 years.
Currently help from time to time at DS2's athletic club - marshalling, scoring for home meetings, registrations etc.
Also volunteer as a steward at a London theatre.

I am a charity trustee, this is the second charity board I've been on. We also foster homeless dogs and give a holiday home to a child from the Chernobyl affected area.

Things I have done:
First Aider, Lifeguard, Swimming Teacher, Gardening & scrub clearance, wildlife survey, Museum, Books on Wheels (that was actually mostly helping/covering my mother, who got into it through the WRVS - she also did Meals on Wheels and Prison Teas. She was also the secretary for various local organisations over the years. And receptionist for Relate.)
Helping organise local fete.
STEM ambassador (science, tech, engineering, maths - I'm mostly on the tech side) - helping organise events, speaking at careers fairs, that sort of thing.

You need to look at the sort of thing you're interested in, and the time you have available. Some volunteering will require particular skills, experience or qualifications. Some will need a regular commitment, e.g. same day every week; others will be a lot of involvement for a single event, then a lot less active for a while.

I volunteer with the NCT and have organised lots of fundraising events for the local branch...Nearly new sales, seasonal parties and am now the branch coordinator.

I also do the accounts for a small charity for a rare genetic disorder and am on the management committee of my son's nursery.

When dc were small I only worked pt so did quite a lot of helping in school on my days off. I was also a school governor.

I now work full time so can't do as much volunteering. I do volunteer for the library - I take books to two people who are housebound. It's lovely as I get to chat with them as well as deliver books.

I also volunteer from time to time at fundraising events for a local charity. I probably only do that about 6 times a year though.

We just had two boys from the Chernobyl contamination zone come and stay with us for a month via the Chernobyl Link charity. It was very rewarding and I think our kids got as much out of it as they did. We'll definitely do it again.

I used to be a CFR - community first responder. You get sent out to ambulance calls in your area to treat the patient until the paramedics arrive.

I'm about to start volunteering at a local wildlife rescue.

Sorry - completely forgot about this thread, but pleased to see people are interested in being magistrates!

It's a common misconception that it's a "proper job" - I think we miss out on lots of people who would be great magistrates because not enough people are aware of the role. You need no formal qualifications, but you have to go through quite a rigorous interview procedure (I am on the interviewing panel for my Bench and have just finished our latest recruitment exercise). We look for common sense, ability to process information and pick out relevant factors, social awareness and good judgement. In an ideal world a Bench would have a total cross-section of people on it so that it properly represents the community it serves.

The minimum time commitment is 13 days a year although most do more than that. You get expenses paid - I started doing it when my youngest was 1 and my childcare expenses were reimbursed for the days I was sitting.

Every single criminal offence that is prosecuted starts off in the magistrates' court with about 97% being dealt with there and the remaining number sent off to the Crown Court. Even with the serious cases such as murder, rape etc it will be the magistrates who will decide at first hearing whether the Defendant is remanded in custody or given bail prior to trial. You need to be able to make decisions and be comfortable with the idea of, for example, sending someone to prison.

I really enjoy it and whilst there are some days which are more difficult than others, I do feel I am doing an important job and making a difference.

Hope this helps!

I looked into magistrate volunteering a few years ago, but can't really do it with my disabled son.

I'd like to become an advocate for adults with learning disablities - but again can't do much at the moment - will do if I end up with more time.

I might look into outdoor volunteering as well - love being outdoors

Interesting thread - thanks OP!

Witty, the court I sit at has three court rooms that are fully listed everyday. We have a fourth court room that sits four full days for family and one day for youth. Gove wants to close it.

I helped to run Rainbows years ago, also youth groups non uniformed and volunteer at a uniformed youth group but not as often as I would like too now.

I am currently a home start volunteer too, I can recommend this. Excellent support , expenses paid.
A wonderful worthwhile role, homestart carefully place you with a family that you will be suited to, also keep in mind hours that will suit you..The training is quite good too.