What volunteering do you do?

[Katisha]

People on here often advise volunteering in a general way - so specifically what sort of thing do you do, if you volunteer, did you need particular skills already, and is it rewarding? I'm looking for inspiration as I might stop work in the next year or so.

I don't do anything currently, but am waiting to start something.

In the past I've done bucket shaking/raising awareness for a children's medical charity - I enjoyed that, a charity that have supported our family.

Homestart volunteering - I did 4 years and enjoyed helping out at family groups and working with families 1-1. By far the most rewarding thing I've ever done, would recommend it to anyone. I did it after a period of being a SAHM and I'd lost a lot of confidence. In the end I'd made some lovely friends, built up my confidence and landed myself a job on the back of it!

I'd honestly say everyone should try (if they can) to do some sort of volunteering. It's equally about doing something for yourself as much as it is about the organisation you are volunteering for.

I scan bar codes at park run

When I first retired, I volunteered for a Cats' Protection League centre. My role was to socialise the cats that were waiting to be rehomed. At different times I had to sit quietly near a timid cat, read aloud (!) to a nervous cat, wear protective gauntlets when shut in with a frightened, hostile cat and get other cats used to being stroked. I went in weekly and it was great to go in and find that a previously terrified cat had been able to be socialised and had been rehomed.
My next volunteering role was on a ward for people with dementia . I would introduce myself and ask if they wanted to chat. I could stay with them as long as they wanted. Sometimes conversations took an unusual turn, as in the man who, when I asked what he used to do for a living, told me he was a thief! I got a lot out of both those roles and would reccomend them to anyone wanting to start volunteering.

I forgot to say that I used to volunteer at a cat's protection centre, I've been on the school fundraising committee and in lockdown I called an old lady once a week for a bit of a chat and when restrictions eased I used to visit her. I would like to volunteer for the NSPCC one day as a counsellor and cuddle preemie babies in hospital (if that's still an option, I'm not sure) x

I used to volunteer at citizen advice bureau and a law centre while at uni.
Wish I had the time to still volunteer
I'd love to either work with animals or help with homelessness

Coach, official and mentor at large sports club.
Parkrun Marshall when main sport allows.

I'm a school governor for a secondary school. Yes, it's rewarding. Several evening meetings a year, occasional visits during the school day, lots of document scrutiny, participation on interview panels, exclusion panels, pay committee, etc. Invitations to events like shows, concerts, prize giving. You have to strike the right balance between support and challenge, which may be easier in some schools than in others, depending on relationships.

I'm chair of an art group and deliver leaflets and newsletters for the community group