To ask about volunteering

[Blueseawhale]

I’m not sure what to do. I’m good with animals, children, elderly people. I don’t know where to start. How can I find out who would need volunteers in my local area. I’ve googled relevant searches but am overwhelmed with information and forms. Would it be better to decide what I should volunteer with specifically and contact the relevant organisation?

I have a wide range of skills, can drive, have enhanced DBS. Which area do you think is in need the most?

what do you volunteer with and why?

Scouts are crying out for volunteers. Google your area and scouts and they'll have info on volunteering to get you started.

If you’re good with animals and elderly people cinnamon trust could be a good fit?
Age U.K. are ALWAYS looking for “friends” who go round and have a cuppa with an isolated elderly person a couple of times a week

You may have a Volunteer Bureau in the area, part funded by the local council, which coordinate opportunities for local charities and events. If nothing comes up by google ask at library or council office.

Most in need? 100% elderly people

Many people love children and animals but older generation is not so popular. If you like and can get on with them you are in a minority.

There is also a HUGE shortage of care workers at the moment, so you can literally pick your hours if you wanted to earn some money - even in a part-time capacity. Although well done you for wanting to volunteer.
Age UK (and local groups) sometimes offer a befriending service but due to shortage of volunteers really struggle to see those needing support as often as they want it.

Yes, this is what I want to do, I’ll Google Age concern.

Have you looked on the doit.life website? You can set the distance filter to find volunteer jobs near you.

Hi Op

I used to do all kinds of volunteering opportunities such as fundraising, getting official infor on a survey for evalution feedback essential requirement for funding stream sources

I have done nature conservation in woodlands in a place nearby the nearest city from where I live too

Also done checking up no cheating funny business going on whilst there were adding up points for a election at County Political wards level,
Ect

All opportunities helped to give my self esteem a boost somewhat/or more than that,

Also helped with making teas and coffess helping put stuff out a bit for a Spiritualism evening night

Helping to clear away too

I enjoy interacting with people obviously prefer only ones who are lovely to be around

Makes life a bit more interesting,

Also get an opportunity for an insight potential that may lead on to something good,
For e.g it could give you a foot in the door jobwise /careerwise

Ect @Blueseawhale

I used to volunteer for reengage - a charity for older people to take them to a monthly tea party hosted by another volunteer, it was really lovely and I really enjoyed it

I volunteer at my local community centre
I am not very clever so I cannot use the till or run the bar or prepare food
BUT I can help out on the quiz nights once a month which helps setting up tables, making tea and coffee, collecting the fish and chips over the road, folding raffle tickets, clearing rubbish up etc
if I go to any events there I helps clear the tables and chairs etc away
I am there over Easter bank holiday helping out at the events they have on
basically I just do as I am told lol

Cinnamon Trust ticks several of OP's boxes (elderly & animals).
Lots of animal rescue places that open to the public could use someone like OP, especially as they get many child visitors.

If you wanted to do animal volunteering alongside age concern you could apply to be a small animal fosterer? Rescues are crying out for fosterers at the moment, they'll give you all the equipment and it's relatively flexible in that you don't have to commit to set hours just have to make sure animals are regularly cleaned and cared for. I've been doing it for 3 years, it's great.

Obviously I have no idea how clever you are or not, but your contribution to community events such as you describe is priceless.
Communities literally rely on people like you to keep their hearts pumping.
Thank you for everything you do ❤️

If you have a local Home-Start you can support a family with young children, really lovely thing to do.

I'd maybe think about what your 'wide range of skills' are and where they could be used. I went on a website that lists loads of volunteering roles and there were several things I could do, but nothing really jumped out at me. Then I saw an ad by the nspcc for their schools service, delivering workshops and assemblies to primary school children. As I have experience in presenting and volunteering in schools, I felt that was a good fit for me.
There are many wonderful and useful volunteering roles you could do, but if there are some specific skills you have that others might not, then try and utilise them. Those roles are harder to fill usually