Short term volunteering opportunities before Christmas

[AlexaShutUp]

I've recently been made redundant and am on garden leave for the next 10 weeks or so. Obviously, the first priority in this period is to find a new job, but I can't spend all day, every day doing job applications and I really don't want to sit around on my arse doing nothing.

I figured that there should be some voluntary opportunities in the lead-up to Christmas, but am struggling to find anything which doesn't involve a long term commitment, and I don't feel I can give that at present as I'm hoping to find another job asap after the garden leave.

Does anyone have any suggestions of organisations that might need extra help on a short term basis in the run-up to Christmas? I've tried looking on do-it.org but most of the opportunities locally seem to need a longer commitment, which is of course fair enough but no good for me right now.

I live in a medium-sized town btw. Particularly interested in anything that would help children, young people and families or the homeless, but open to all suggestions.

Aren’t hospitals asking for ward volunteers

Possibly Dowser. I will look into that, thank you for the suggestion.

It does seem odd you cant find anything short-term.

The animal rescue I support (with ££ and donations, not time) regularly asks for one-off volunteers - someone to do DIY or maintenance, stewarding at events or staffing a stall. You'd think this time of year they'd have Christmas projects that you could get involved with.

It might be better to contact a few direct and let them know what you can offer (time and skills wise).

Try your local volunteer bureau. There are often one off events or specific projects which can be done short term.

Thanks Display. I thought it would be easy enough at this time of year to find something that I could help out with too, but everything I've seen is asking for a longer commitment. I do understand why, they don't want to invest in inducting and training a volunteer who is going to walk out of the door in a couple of months, and they don't want their clients to build relationships with people who aren't in it for the long haul. Still, I'm sure that there must be practical stuff that I can do which doesn't require any prior knowledge or training.

I think you're probably right that contacting organisations directly is probably the best approach. I do have skills that I could offer, but equally, I'm happy to do quite basic tasks, just whatever they need doing!

Does your local library have a stall selling charity Christmas cards? In my county they are desperate for volunteers in the run up to Christmas

Thank you Liz, I did have a look at the website for our local volunteer bureau, but I'll try actually contacting them tomorrow.

Not sure Perspicacia, will investigate.

Also, you might be able to volunteer in a role connected to the general election, either with a local party if you are political, or as a counter on the night for the returning officer.

Hmm, interesting suggestion Perspicacia, thank you.

I'm very political as it happens, but feeling a little politically homeless right now so don't think I could volunteer for any particular party. However, I'd quite like to volunteer as a counter on the night - presumably I would need to apply via the electoral commission website? Will definitely look into this!

If you drive and have a car then volunteer driver for the NHS might be a possibility. Not sure how long the training takes though.

Not yet, but maybe in a couple of weeks, there might be volunteer roles in homeless shelters that are set up over the Christmas period or when the weather is especially bad. I have volunteered for this but a long time ago when I was 18.

I work in a hospital. We have lots of volunteers, but I was talking to one the other day who told me it had taken months from applying to her first day on the ward. I think because you need a CRB and then an induction and training.

Have your tried charity shops? Many years ago I volunteered at one just for a month during the summer. I'd have thought they'd be busier in the run up to Christmas.

You could also look for part time paid work at a cafe or pub - small independent places tend to like people who can start straight away

If you have children at primary school, the PTA would almost certainly welcome your help at the Christmas fair.

Most places don't take on short term volunteers because it takes time and resources to train someone - not worth it if they then leave in a few weeks. Anything to do with children or vulnerable people will also require a DBS check and that takes time too.

If you have a local Facebook group, you could ask there. Community groups might have more ad hoc opportunities especially if you're happy to do more logistics based stuff like driving/transporting stuff, helping with events (plenty around Xmas), clean up of local green spaces and so on. Or if you have a specific skill that might be sought after by a small organisation that can't necessarily afford to pay for it (for example website set up/updating).

Remember you will have to go through police checks etc for any NHS volunteering or any voluntary role involving kids or vulnerable adults, this in itself could take a good lot of time.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. FWIW, I do have a fairly recent DBS check (enhanced), so hopefully that wouldn't be a problem, though I am aware that some organisations insist on doing their own.

Not really keen on volunteering at a school as I already give quite a lot of time as a school governor and would like to do something a bit different. Also not that keen on charity shops for some reason, though it's a perfectly valid suggestion.

Can't undertake paid work as I'm still on the payroll for my former employer for the next couple of months or so. However, I'd consider volunteer driving or helping out at events. Will have a look for local Facebook pages to see what's happening.

Thanks all for all of your suggestions.

Your local church will probably have volunteer opportunities - at our church we have a food bank/community mini market and drop in cafe and lunch clubs running through the week, all dependent on volunteers. You don't have to be Christian to help out.

Our local night shelter is running now as are a few evening drop in meal places. They were all in church halls and run by the church, so you'd apply to them directly.
I imagine you'd need a DBS for the night shelter.