Advice from those who volunteer

[contributingsomething]

I wish to volunteer my time but have no clue doing what and where I could be useful.

I would like to support woman's aid in my local area but they have no vacancies.

Anyone have experience or advice that could help me please?

Would you consider mentoring?

What sort of environment would you like to be in. What do you enjoy and feel comfortable with. Do you have experience or skills in any particular area
There will be a local volunteering site which you can google. Think about how much time you csn offer

Where would I find out about mentoring?

I am a nurse with 20 years experience in mental health, specialist area for the last 5.

I have maybe four hours weekly possibly more, I work but part time and have two children.

I feel like I should be giving something back to society, I was helped by woman's aid several years ago so would ideally like that but as I said they have no vacancies.

There are other charities like Refuge, Shelter, St Mungo and Crisis. Do you want to use your nursing experience or maybe do something different like art therapy, community gardening or advocacy.

Would you consider Childline? I used to volunteer there 4 hours / week and it was hugely rewarding and also very flexible around family life, work etc.

There is likely to be a volunteer centre near you where they would help you find a suitable role, based on your interests & availability etc.

Schools are about to need a load of volunteer covid testers

I've done quite a bit with the Salvation Army. Not just for women but a lot of those they help are vulnerable women.

Assuming you are in UK, this website may be helpful

do-it.org/opportunities/search

I have volunteered with the Samaritans although they tend to be quite oversubscribed, women's aid will be the same - a lot of 'big name' charities will attract plenty of volunteers.

My advice would be to look at smaller, more local charities. DH volunteers with a homeless shelter in our city run by a local
Christian charity (he isn't a Christian, so don't let faith charities put you off if you're not that way inclined) and they are always looking for volunteers. He does a four hour shift in the shelter once a week.

I would look at places that don't get a lot of funding especially because you could really do some good.

Depends what sort of thing you'd like to do really. I've been looking at home start which supports families and you can just do a couple of hours a week. If you want to use nursing maybe something teaching first aid skills like with British heart foundation or with your specialism being mental health something with mind.

Agree with looking for more local charities - go and ask at your local Children's Centre, or as the HVs or the school if they know any. So we have a charity called The Lantern Project near us that does similar work to Women's Aid but people wouldn't know to search for it. People involved with family welfare (such as HVs or CCs) would be likely to know of the smaller ones. Barnardo's are another thought, along with local Women's refuges, which, for understandable reasons don't advertise their existence.

What (approximate) area are you ?

www.inspiringgovernance.org/volunteers/

See if there's a CVS (Community Voluntary Service) centre in your town (or a nearby one).

The organisation I work with has an office in our local CVS building, as do many other local small charities. And the reception area has lots of information and posters about smaller charities that might need volunteers. The staff there can offer a bunch of leaflets and phone numbers that you could follow up.

We'd bite your hand off. We always need volunteers. The smaller less well known local groups are likely to be the most responsive to you.

Have you thought about being a school governor? There's always a shortage and with your MH experience you'd be really welcomed