To feel gutted and a bit that they've turned down my offer to volunteer?

[Cheeseoncrumpets]

Im fully prepared to be told that I'm being stupid, but here goes.

I had a little seasonal job over the summer, which I really loved. Actually its probably one of the best jobs I've ever had. They are an organisation that requires the help of a lot of volunteers and I enjoyed it so much that when I finished I offered to volunteer for them, and it would be fairly easy for me to fit it in around my regular job.

They seemed really keen, said they'd love to have me etc and that they'd get back in touch. That was nearly three weeks ago and Ive not heard anything since.

Maybe they don't need any extra help, and that's fine but why not just say that in the beginning? They always seem to be crying out for volunteers as well.

Or maybe they just thought I was shit and didn't like me? I was thinking of messaging them and asking if they still needed any help, but I don't want to be seen as too pushy and desperate.

Am I being silly and oversensitive?

Email them, it's likely your request just got lost. It's not uncommon in a large organisation.

Give them a nudge for god's sake.

I mean this kindly, in life, if you don't push,you don't get. People are very rarely thinking about you! None of us are that important to other people :)

Just for clarification, I definitely applied through the proper channels. They have a Facebook page, and advise anyone interested in volunteering to message them directly that way, which I did. They replied to me within about two minutes! It was all very positive, and they definitely knew who I was. It was my line manager who answered as she signed off with her name.

Obviously now reading this thread I can see there's probably more to it. Yes, I know for a fact that they are a very busy organisation. Its very possible that they are busy with other stuff and yes, they may have forgtten about me all together.

summer time it is slower. Worked for two charities it too around three months all told. We had applications crb checks, training courses to fit into. It is much more formal than when I started.

Follow up. It's an admin thing - not personal.
How lovely to have found something you love doing!

i dont think its pushy at all.its shows your keen.this wouldnt be your 10th message so there is no problems.
plaes also get lots of open volunteer interest parties too.often people dont actually mean it.or cant do it in the end so this would confirm you are interested.

I volunteer for an organisation that sounds a bit similar. I had to chase up my application more than once. Please try not to take it personally, it's very unlikely to mean they didn't like you. The organisation I help with is not particularly well managed in many ways but they do have an large number of volunteers whose own wishes they have to try and accommodate. I have come to recognise that it must be very difficult to organise and manage a lot of volunteers. I suggest making contact again and being specific about what you could do to help, and when you are available.

Please contact them again OP, in the place I work the volunteer manager is rushed off her feet doing one and a half people's work, has been on holiday for a week and is not due back for another two. Sometimes it is just a perfect storm of no ones making that slows everything up.

And I am sure that you are a genuine volunteer, unlike some of the people who take up a lot of her time but really have not thought it through eg the woman who says she wants to volunteer, but will need the organisation to provide her with a dedicated personal assistant because her disabilities mean she can't fulfill the role. The same woman incidentally who turns up unannounced and flounces when told no one is available to help her because they are delivering training all day. Or the guy who phoned last week who said he needed to volunteer urgently because he was making an application to medical school and needed to show relevant volunteering experience on the application , I asked him how long he intended to volunteer and he said in a puzzled tone, " well just until my application goes in at the end of October" . I didn't bother sending him an application form.

I found it really difficult to volunteer for some jobs- training courses, application forms, referees, interviews. I had though some organisations like food banks would need volunteers, but it seems not. There were some things I did that were r e a l l y boring too.

OK, well Ive taken all of your advice and I messaged them again. To cut a long story short I start next week!!

Thank you all for giving me the kick up the backside I needed to get back in touch with them, as I'd still be sitting wallowing in the belief that they didnt want me otherwise!

Oh well done Cheeseoncrumpets. They must have valued the work you have already done for them and are really pleased to have you back .

Foxy, unfortunately a lot of places do ask for application forms,interviews, references etc before offering volunteering jobs. But not all places do, I have previously volunteered at a local Community Gardening Group where all you needed to do was to turn up, and it was interesting work and I learned things. Maybe there's something similar near to you.

Och well done enjoy

Yes for my volunteering thing i needed to go on a training course get references have a full disclosure it was thorough (sp) that is for sure, but you can find things that isn't so time consuming

Yes, they've told me that the only reason I'm able to start ASAP is because Ive already been interviewed by them, they've had references for me and Ive already done the mandatory training.

Oh that's lovely, Cheese. Brilliant. Enjoy!

Good work. Proud of you!!

Great!

Glad to hear that you’ve been accepted now.