Feel like crying! What is it with references??

[LavenderFields7]

Been a stay-at-home mum for 10 years, decided to try and return to work - no luck with paid job positions due to zero ability to provide references. Fine. I will do 6 months free voluntary work - nowhere will take me without 2 references 😭 A charity shop rang me today to say they can’t accept my application offering 3 full days free work a week for 6 months because I can’t provide professional references. They didn’t even ask what qualifications I’ve got (hint, I’m ridiculously overqualified for till work). This is the 5th volunteer role I’ve been rejected for. AIBU? Is this normal for volunteer jobs?? Why don’t they make it easier 😢

I don't understand why people are saying volunteer in a school to get a reference? When I volunteered in a school I needed an enhanced DBS (because I would be in a school for a year so the children would get to know me) and two references (which could be personal but from eg a teacher with their job and place of work etc, like a passport check).

And you can't use a friend as a professional reference - they want a reference from an organisational email.

Yeah - and get a few fake phone numbers and a voice modifier and a passion for fraud!