I can't even give my time away for free!

[happy2bhomely]

I'm so fed up! I've been at SAHM for years and have been looking for some voluntary work for a few months now. Not one organisation I've contacted has been back in touch. They have all said that they have plenty of helpers and don't need any more! (I know that's a good thing and I'm being really selfish). I want to apply to study Occupational Therapy in 2012 and was thinking that alongside an access course I could volunteer and get a feel for things. (I haven't mentioned this to anyone because I don't want them to think I'm only doing it to benefit myself!) I want to commit long term to something worthwhile. I've called hospitals and they are inundated with volunteers. I've called care homes and said I'd be happy to cover the cost of a CRB and induction and they've said 'no thanks'. I've called local charities and left messages and no one has called back. I've emailed St john's ambulance and local brownies/scouts type groups. I feel like crap. If I can't even give my time away, what hope have I got of ever being paid for it. I know it's great that so many people are volunteering and that can only be a good thing, but I'm running out of ideas. I honestly thought that, living in London, there would be more opportunities. What am I doing wrong?

Sorry proper link:

www.stjh.org.uk/who_we_are/volunteers.html

Thank you all for your help! Lots of great ideas. Re Access course-I would be applying at LSBU and they are happy to take the k101 ou course that I'm starting in October. I've been told it's the same sort of thing as an access course. I'm going to an open day on Saturday, so will double check and maybe they will have some ideas too.

I'm going to look into homestart. We live in Waltham Forest, so if anyone knows anything local that might help me, please let me know. Thanks all.

defineme absolutely (used to work for them)

we would take anyone who apssed checks and did the training successfully. only qual was you ahd to be a parent (wide definition- adoptive, step etc all OK). And to give a minimum number of hours per week, which varies between schemes.

Experts and specialists were fine; we could use many different talents and a lot of thought was put into matching people well, but trianing was covered.

K course then access will do you fine; I started that way, almost got my MA now. Do check though about teh access- some universities changing entry and for example social work now asks for extra quals.

other thing to look at is th National Autistic Society befriender program.

You will gain a lot of experience volunteering for Homestart because you will come into a range of different problems and lifestyles (viewing your vol work as a stepping stone). Find out how competative getting on to the final course that you want as not all Uni's accept the same qualifications. All social care degrees require a placement not just acedemic work so just check what you are being told as i know of people who have not been given the correct information and have had to start again. Ideally you want qualifications that are transferable just incase you have to change your plans.

Birds got to fly.

I found emailing tutors at universities worked a treat; not only did I get right info, but I looked keen and a year or so later it even helpd me vlag offers fropm 'full' courses.

Good luck