Please tell me about any voluntary work you have done that has been both sociable and mentally stimulating.

[alwaysandnever]

Post-covid restrictions, my job is likely to remain working from home. I work 4 days per week and have teenage children who are just a few years off flying the nest.

I don't mind working from home but would like some connection with the outside world on a weekly basis, and to feel like I am doing something useful. My job has always been a bit stand-alone so lacks face-to-face social interactions. I like learning new things and spending time with knowledgeable people. I guess I am looking for something that fosters a sense of camaraderie and coming together for a shared goal. Does anyone volunteer in a role which ticks all these boxes?

I could probably offer half a day or one or two evenings per week.

@MajorTomBola

Volunteer advisor at a Citizens Advice Bureau? Problem solving, helping people, being part of a small team, lots to learn, and the chance to get involved with social policy projects.

I've long thought about doing this but whenever I have looked there have not been vacancies for advisers in my town. However, now that I don't have any commute, it would be fine to drive to another town if they have vacancies. Hmmmm, I will give that some thought. Thank you.

"Cab isn't for the faint-hearted, governments treat like an arm of the Civil Service for form-filling to help vulnerable people. Do learn loads & very interesting tho.

I need to get out of the house too but very aware of getting sucked into charity politics."

Yes - good points also. My interest in CAB went back to thinking about a career change and using and gaining specific skills. I might be past that now and perhaps I should endeavour to do something that is unlike anything I do in my paid job. Perhaps the more outdoorsy/'doing something practical' roles will be less draining in the charity politics sense.

I was on the board of trustees and the organising committee of a local volunteer run playground. Very sociable, including lots of outdoor activity, we all had a lot in common and we achieved a lot.

Most local parks have a Friends Of group, which would probably meet your target requirements.

This is all very helpful. I'm someone who is indecisive on the basis that if I make a decision it closes all the other doors of opportunity. Hearing the viewpoints of others is helping me to see what is more important to me.

I volunteered for Childline for a few years - until a move made it impossible to carry on.

It was so valuable to me in so many ways that it felt less like giving and more like receiving, iyswim.

The group I trained with, stayed on a similar shift and we all became such close friends - it's hard not to when training and dealing with hard subject matter.

Independent Monitoring Board. We visit prisons and make sure the inmates are treated with respect, sort out problems etc. You apply for a particular prison.
It’s a really rewarding volunteer job.

I worked for the education team at my local county museum, learned a lot more about Roman history by running schools workshops on our marvellous mosaics!

Have a look at do-it.org/opportunities/search?page=1&sort=distance&order=asc&working_from_home
Which might give you ideas?

Citizen Advice is great. I did hardly any form filling but met lots of different people and in some cases made a big difference to them. I would definitely do it again if I didnt need to earn money.

I run a local The Hygiene Bank.

I'm also a member of a Research Advisory Group at an acute Trust. A member of a Patient and Carer Network and I keep on eye on Voice and Involve for bits and pieces of ad hoc volunteering. Nearly forgot, I'm also a Community Engagement Volunteer with my local Healthwatch too.

I volunteer at my local hospice. They have all sorts of roles and will try to find one that fits your skills and requirements - I do admin in the fundraising department. It can be really routine and a bit boring because they tend to ask volunteers to do the mundane stuff so the trained staff are free to do the more skilled tasks but I can deal with it for four hours twice a week. As they've got to know me they've given me more interesting tasks. I enjoy the office environment and the interaction with the other people, paid and volunteer.

A lot of the volunteers are elderly and are being very cautious about wanting to continue their volunteer roles so the hospice is really keen to find new volunteers.

IME yes hospice volunteers do tend to be elderly. That means that they’re in need of help at the moment, (and it can provide very rewarding volunteering opportunities without the political stress of some other situations) but it also means that it may not achieve what you’re looking for in terms of enlarging your social circle. Do you want to make local friends on your wave-length to hang out with generally, or are you content just to have a couple of hours social interaction with nice people and leave it at that?

St John ambulance.
I was a volunteer for years, got amazing training, worked with a wide variety of people, occasion had to really think on my feet. I know I made a difference to peoples lives and I know someone is walking around alive today because of my actions (cpr / defib) who might not have survived. Hugely rewarding and when I return to live in the uk I will go back to them.

(Plus I got to see lots of events for free, like football matches and concerts. Although of course they are often disturbed!)

I did voluntary work in a Social Supermarket as part of getting well again after a breakdown. I absolutely loved it, I could be as involved with the public as I wanted or could opt to do a more background job on days I was struggling.

I've done a couple of days volunteering with my local wildlife trust. It was outdoors and in a small group with a bit of chatter but not much. There were regulars there who obviously were doing in weekly or more often and knew each other and also a lot about wildlife (names of birds or trees for example). But they were very friendly to me as a one off visitor and participant.

Citizens Advice Bureau is very mentally stimulating and can be sociable. A lot of it has now gone on line I understand.

My first thought was CAB, but there will be local charities who are looking for Trustees: try here. I have been a trustee of a community development charity for 8 years and it has been very rewarding.

PTA, Board of NHS Trust, animal checker at a community farm, small business mentor, transport for a wildlife rescue, French club at dc school
I’ve done all of these and really enjoyed them but the animal ones were probably the most fun and The PTA was the most sociable (no horror stories)

I volunteered at a Hospice day unit. I did a bit of everything, mainly Reception and Office, helped with some of the fundraising admin. It was really enjoyable. Plus there was cake.

I was in Guiding but have left (for a variety of reasons). I might go back as parent helper if DD wants to join but she's currently happy in Beavers (DS is in Cubs) and I feel I've done my time (organising sleepovers? not going to happen any more!) so won't be a Scout leader. I'm also concerned about safeguarding in both movements with the whole trans children can sleep in whichever tent they want thing (I'm firmly asking awkward questions on behalf of my DCs as a parent but worried about being hauled over the coals if I ask as a volunteer).

I volunteered with the homeless when I was a student and I am thinking of going back to that - a local group is currently doing street work (so it's vaguely socially distanced) and I might look into that.

I prefer something hands on/dynamic so I don't think a helpline or popping round for a chat with the elderly would be for me.

Oh yes we have also been cat cuddlers and occasional dog walkers at the local animal rescue. Mainly for the DCs.

Apply to become a magistrate.

www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/apply-to-be-a-magistrate
Absolutely amazing work and so fulfilling. Can meet really interesting people and a real community.

I was also coming on to say St John Ambulance. Their vaccination volunteering programme is currently not accepting new applications but they have a wide range of roles, very professional training etc. I'm a few weeks off finishing my training as a volunteer vaccinator.

I’m a magistrate. I find it very rewarding and mentally stimulating. It’s obviously less social at the moment as we are doing most sittings by phone or video but that won’t be forever. Minimum requirement is 13 days per year (most people do more but it’s up to you) but you may well find your employer will give you paid time off. The appointment process can take a long time but there is a good website if you google becoming a magistrate.

What a great thread ! I don't have any more to add to the ideas above but the OP's query is just what I want to know too, what might I be able to do more of when I can do less of paid work.