Volunteering with a baby

[Plantlady10]

I would really like start doing some volunteering, but i have a 5 month old baby - are there any volunteering opportunities that would allow a tag-along baby, or is this a mad idea and something I'm going to have to wait a few years for?

Personally, unless it's a baby based group, I think you'd struggle with a 5 month baby in tow. Also may be a safeguarding risk that they aren't willing to allow,

What sort of places would you want to volunteer?

NCT always need volunteers.. for sales, events, walk and talks… babies welcomed!

I volunteer at our local children’s clothing exchange. They have a load of toys for the toddlers to play with while the babies are in slings or on mats whilst we sort the clothes into quality and age. It’s quite a nice way to spend a few hours a week!

You could train as a health walk leader (both babies and dogs can go along to those) - enquire with the leisure/health/wellbeing bit of your council

NCT are always looking for volunteers. Find your local branch on Facebook and find out what they've got going on.

Maybe visiting elderly who live alone. I've seen this done where they have babies/toddlers visita care home. Not sure what the rules are now with covid. Maybe volunteering at a toddler group. The one's I used to go to all the parents helped. The older children loved getting the toys out and tidying up.

I went back to volunteering at rainbows and brownies when DD was 4months and she came along with me for a bit until DH sorted out wfh on brownies night. You just wouldn't be counted in the ratios. Dd either chilled in the pram or in the carrier.

If you didn't want to attend a meeting (and exposure to a lot of germs 🤣), brownie groups are always looking for volunteers to help with admin - answering emails, helping with chasing subs, helping with accounts etc. That could be done from home with just the odd visit to a meeting if it's something you could help with.