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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Volunteering... help restore my faith!

89 replies

Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:21

Off the back of a different thread where someone was whinging about being well-off but not AS well-off as others...

Can you tell me your lovely volunteering stories please? Firstly so I can tell you how marvellous you are, because volunteers make the world go around, and secondly because I think there are so many people who do FA in terms of giving back and maybe we can encourage a few more people to get involved?

My story - I work for a charity and speak to volunteers daily - in fact one lady yesterday brought me to (good) tears talking about her experience of joining her group post-COVID. Outside of work, I am a trustee of a local charity and give about 8 hours a week to the cause. I have made new friends, done new things I would have never done before through my volunteering, and made a little bit of a difference in my corner of the world. I am nowhere near the level of some uber volunteers, not remotely, but I do my small part to help.

OP posts:
LifeboatCrew · 31/07/2025 17:23

Clue’s in the name 👆🤣

Daleksatemyshed · 31/07/2025 17:30

Not marvellous at all but volunteer with a litter picking group. Some people bring their DC so hopefully they won't grow up to throw litter around like a lot of adults

PlayDateOutside · 31/07/2025 17:31

A couple of years ago I moved to a new area & only knew a couple of people

I joined several volunteer groups & met lots of new people !

Some of the volunteering has been slightly outside my comfort zone, but I have persevered.
I have received lots of positive feedback.
So I am proud of myself.

I am infact volunteering tonight

A different volunteer group on Friday

A different volunteer group on Saturday

The possibilities are endless !

I have definitely made a difference to my community

Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:31

LifeboatCrew · 31/07/2025 17:23

Clue’s in the name 👆🤣

Love this! I live in Swansea and regularly donate to our Mumbles lifeboaters - brilliant stuff. In case no one told you today - you are fabulous and selfless.

OP posts:
Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:32

Daleksatemyshed · 31/07/2025 17:30

Not marvellous at all but volunteer with a litter picking group. Some people bring their DC so hopefully they won't grow up to throw litter around like a lot of adults

Totally marvellous - it's about setting the example but also about caring for the place you live in. I think you're marvellous and you can't convince me otherwise!

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Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:33

PlayDateOutside · 31/07/2025 17:31

A couple of years ago I moved to a new area & only knew a couple of people

I joined several volunteer groups & met lots of new people !

Some of the volunteering has been slightly outside my comfort zone, but I have persevered.
I have received lots of positive feedback.
So I am proud of myself.

I am infact volunteering tonight

A different volunteer group on Friday

A different volunteer group on Saturday

The possibilities are endless !

I have definitely made a difference to my community

Superstar!!!! So good to hear and as you say, it can be a bit scary to start with. But you are one of the people who keep the cogs of community turning. You really and truly do - I hope you know and feel that you are valued. Giving back is honestly one of the purest, truest and most genuine things anyone can do. I think you are FAB!

OP posts:
Barrenfieldoffucks · 31/07/2025 17:35

I used to volunteer at our local food bank. Sadly not the most comfortable fur to not being religious. 🙄

Now with our local food pantry, and love it.

PlayDateOutside · 31/07/2025 17:36

However I hear lots of people saying we should have this group or that group in our area.

Nobody wants to start x group & spend many hours running the group

Eg

No scout group in area
Nobody wants to commit to running the group

Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:47

Barrenfieldoffucks · 31/07/2025 17:35

I used to volunteer at our local food bank. Sadly not the most comfortable fur to not being religious. 🙄

Now with our local food pantry, and love it.

There are definitely conflicts involved in that area of volunteering. I did food share (Welsh scheme - not sure if it's the same in England?) the last two Fridays and we had some cultural hurdles to deal with. Glad you are enjoying your change and just remember that you are brilliant!

OP posts:
tonybennscat · 31/07/2025 17:48

I volunteer in an old garden that is slowly being restored. It’s magical seeing it coming to life, it’s brilliant being outdoors in all kinds of weather and I’m pretty much a beginner gardener - I’m learning so much from the other volunteers.

I did try my hand at being a digital volunteer, helping people get online but the organisation needed someone every week and due to personal circumstances I couldn’t commit to that at the time.

Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:49

PlayDateOutside · 31/07/2025 17:36

However I hear lots of people saying we should have this group or that group in our area.

Nobody wants to start x group & spend many hours running the group

Eg

No scout group in area
Nobody wants to commit to running the group

Always the way - I've lived in four different countries and it's the same everywhere. Unpaid time is unpaid time, right? But I think that until people volunteer they don't appreciate the social impact and value that literally you can't put a price on.

OP posts:
Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:51

tonybennscat · 31/07/2025 17:48

I volunteer in an old garden that is slowly being restored. It’s magical seeing it coming to life, it’s brilliant being outdoors in all kinds of weather and I’m pretty much a beginner gardener - I’m learning so much from the other volunteers.

I did try my hand at being a digital volunteer, helping people get online but the organisation needed someone every week and due to personal circumstances I couldn’t commit to that at the time.

That sounds fabulous! Totally magical as you say and there's also something that is so good for the soul when you get your hands literally dirty isn't there? Don't ever beat yourself up for not being able to do everything, please, because you're doing fabulous work already. You're also a roughty-toughty resilient person doing what you do in all weathers - not a fair weather gardener! FAB!

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 31/07/2025 17:53

I used to volunteer at the primary school PTA - although for some bizarre reason Mumsnet seems to hate PTAs 🤔

MsMartini · 31/07/2025 17:54

I've volunteered for a national museum since 2012, and for a few other things related to schools or museum learning.

I've loved it - learned loads, discovered I can deliver sessions to the public (which after years of working on a laptop at home was a surprise!), done lots of different roles and training courses, met some truly extraordinary people, been part of some nationally significant events. I've now got a casual paid job in another museum as a result.

I love working with children - either with their families or in school groups - and hope that we are sparking curiosity, interest and engagement for their futures.

Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:55

Needmorelego · 31/07/2025 17:53

I used to volunteer at the primary school PTA - although for some bizarre reason Mumsnet seems to hate PTAs 🤔

That's an incredible thing to do because you get all the slings and arrows! I think it's awesome, I have a friend who is a governor at a local school and they get all manner of nonsense but they will keep on until their child leaves. You're brilliant for doing it - lots of people like to moan, but do they do anything about it?!!!

OP posts:
Judiezones · 31/07/2025 17:56

I'm a hospital volunteer. It didn't start off well, I was in a ward helping with admin and handing out meals. The staff, except for the health care assistants, cleaners and ward manager were hostile. They would ignore me if I spoke to them and refused to help if I asked them something. I have no idea why. I asked to be moved and now I do meet and greet at reception, which is lovely. Today I escorted a bewildered elderly man to his appointment as his son was delayed. It was lovely to gain his trust and chat with him till his son arrived.

Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:57

MsMartini · 31/07/2025 17:54

I've volunteered for a national museum since 2012, and for a few other things related to schools or museum learning.

I've loved it - learned loads, discovered I can deliver sessions to the public (which after years of working on a laptop at home was a surprise!), done lots of different roles and training courses, met some truly extraordinary people, been part of some nationally significant events. I've now got a casual paid job in another museum as a result.

I love working with children - either with their families or in school groups - and hope that we are sparking curiosity, interest and engagement for their futures.

Oh my word - you're such a champ and I love how things have progressed for you. Also there is something to be said for the fact that people do stuff for the love of it and the passion shows through if you are interacting with the general public. I love that you love it! (If you're in Wales tell me and I will pop along!!) What a great post and thanks so much for all you do and for sharing. Makes my heart full!

OP posts:
ForeveraBluebird · 31/07/2025 17:58

I volunteer to listen to the children read in our infant school, I really enjoy it.
Also how nice a job the council have made along Mumbles front Op . If I lived nearer I’d volunteer to look after the plants.

Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:59

Judiezones · 31/07/2025 17:56

I'm a hospital volunteer. It didn't start off well, I was in a ward helping with admin and handing out meals. The staff, except for the health care assistants, cleaners and ward manager were hostile. They would ignore me if I spoke to them and refused to help if I asked them something. I have no idea why. I asked to be moved and now I do meet and greet at reception, which is lovely. Today I escorted a bewildered elderly man to his appointment as his son was delayed. It was lovely to gain his trust and chat with him till his son arrived.

You have just brought a lump to my throat - I worked in the NHS for a decade and met loads of lovely volunteers - the difference you make to people in pain, people who are confused and uncertain, people who find it hard to even make it over the threshold. Honestly you are worth your weight in gold. Sending you a big internet cwtch.

OP posts:
YesItsMeYesItsMe · 31/07/2025 18:00

I volunteer for a local massive choir festival, it takes a year of work to put on and money raised goes to help set up wellbeing choirs.

I volunteered for a local kids clothing bank but it was a bit dodgy and they didn’t necessarily understand the rules of setting up a charity.

I volunteer on and off with the school when I can. But not in PTA - not for me, the personalities etc…

PlayDateOutside · 31/07/2025 18:00

One of my volunteer positions also helped me to secure a part time paid job in the local area too this year.

Meadowfinch · 31/07/2025 18:01

I spent 10 years working for a search & rescue team, for the police. Those we searched for were split roughly one third despondents, one third those with some form of dementia, and the final third a mixture of lost, injured, victims of accidents and crimes.

It was challenging, sometimes difficult, and I loved it. I was always inspired by the resilience of my colleagues.

plinkityplink · 31/07/2025 18:02

Nothing special but I read the local newspapers for the blind. Talking News, started when my mum went blind due to diabetes. We read onto memory sticks and they get posted out each week.

Original poster
Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 18:02

ForeveraBluebird · 31/07/2025 17:58

I volunteer to listen to the children read in our infant school, I really enjoy it.
Also how nice a job the council have made along Mumbles front Op . If I lived nearer I’d volunteer to look after the plants.

Hello neighbour! It looks fab to be fair doesn't it? I'm in the Marina... I may aspire one day to be in Mumbles, but I do cat sit there sometimes! That's so fabulous, I was only speaking to someone today about the value of reading and of stories - really cannot be overestimated enough. I love that you love it - who knows we may cross paths someday! (Maybe we both need to email Rob Stewart to check on his plans for the plants!!) Sending cwtches!

OP posts:
Judiezones · 31/07/2025 18:02

Arlanymor · 31/07/2025 17:59

You have just brought a lump to my throat - I worked in the NHS for a decade and met loads of lovely volunteers - the difference you make to people in pain, people who are confused and uncertain, people who find it hard to even make it over the threshold. Honestly you are worth your weight in gold. Sending you a big internet cwtch.

Show quote history

Thank you very much. I do it mainly to pay back for what the hospital did for my husband when he was very ill a few years ago. Thankfully he's still here and fighting fit so we owe them a huge debt.