Volunteering... help restore my faith!

[Arlanymor]

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.

I have volunteered for the last 30 years (a few different organisations).
It changed my life, because it led me to a completely new career.
I made good friends.
I learnt so much.
I'm still volunteering, and also about to start a new voluntary role.

Yes, sometimes it can be frustrating, overwhelming, annoying etc, but that's just life.
I don't know what people actually do with their time, if they don't volunteer.

You bought a tear to my eye (several actually), I am so glad he's still here and your generosity as a result honestly keeps the world turning, particularly in health which is chronically underfunded and unappreciated. Also one of my favourite people IRL is called Judie (and spelled that way!) so you kind of live in my heart now. Bless you so much for your kind heart.

I volunteer for Homestart - two hours a week supporting a family with young children who are struggling. It is a brilliant organisation and now my DC are grown up it is lovely to spend time with the little ones!

Give me a little bit to come back to this thread - not because I need to go off and cry a bit at your wonderfulness (but that too to be honest!) but because I am travelling and need to get back home and then out again for Open Mic. But I promise I will come back tonight. And THANK YOU for restoring my faith - let' keep it going!!!

16 years ago an American lass moved to a little Greek island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and said why aren't there any women's groups here? I said because no one has started one! So she said, would you join a group who's ethos is founded on three pillars, friendship, personal growth and community service and I said abso-bloody-lutely!
We convinced others to join us, and 7 months later our group was born. We had twenty members for our inaugural meeting, 16 years later we have raised thousands of euros for various charities, empowered our members had MANY fun events and currently have over a hundred members.
I am so proud of our group and our achievements.. We've definitely brightened this little corner of the world.

I run a Brownie unit have done for years. It is often rewarding, often frustrating and takes up a lot of time. How successful it is often depends on the level of parental support you get. Some parents embrace it and encourage the girls to do things at home related to badges etc, some use it as a cheap way to have an hour and half free if they can be bothered to bring the girls. Some seem to think we are paid to do it. But I love it , have made many good friends through it and lots of the girls still keep in touch.

I volunteer with a charity that helps mums struggling with young children. I just listen and provide a supportive ear. Not much really but it makes me feel better about my hideous corporate job and I've heard some lovely stories about where there lives have gone after my time with them has finished.

I used to volunteer as a cat fosterer. I cared for over 100 cats and 4 sets of kittens were born in my house but COVID ruined everything and the charity was forced to close its doors. I loved it so much my absolute dream if I didn't have to work would be to open a sanctuary for all animals. Sadly I can't foster anymore because I have three cats (one was the last cat in our care before the charity closed, 2 are strays that i somehow acquired)

I used to do this - I was actually quite surprised to find out it’s still running in our area. Maybe I should go back … I was team lead but terribly disruptive, often had to leave while other people were recording as I’d get the giggles.

I love volunteering. I’m a guide leader and I help out with a food waste project. I’m also on the board of a children’s charity. I’m getting so many transferable skills from all of this, especially the board which is helping me with my career aspirations!

I took my DC to volunteer with a community collection for Ukraine a few years ago. We worked for 3 hours sorting clothes, medical supplies, toiletries, sleeping bags etc. DC were only little (7 & 10 maybe?) and it blew their minds that they could be contributing. They worked really hard and were a real help - they were so proud of themselves. It really brought home the value that volunteering can bring to the volunteer.

I am a school governor, it is hard work sometimes but I do enjoy it.

Ps I am very jealous that you live in Swansea, it is one of our favourite areas to visit for a holiday!

I volunteer as a cub leader, I've been doing it 15 years, and I love it.

But what's amazing is how many people in our town do voluntary work.

There's librarians, theatre staff, book shop staff, museum staff, charity shop staff, firefighters, readers at school, scout leaders, guide leaders, Boys Brigade, Army cadets, sea cadets, football coaches, cricket coaches, tennis coaches, school governors, a team who look after parks and gardens, a team who organise several weekend events for the town including parades, Christmas light turn on and food markets, a team who organise a medieval festival, a team who organise a music festival and a cider festival, town councillors, parish councillors, food bank, and no doubt many more that I've forgotten about.

The difference it would make to our town if there were no volunteers is phenomenal. And yet there are still so many people who moan and complain (particularly on Facebook) that there's not enough to do in our town, or there's a lack of facilities. But they are not willing to step up and help to get even more done.

I volunteer in a school for a few hours a week. I’d like to do more, but it’s difficult.

I volunteer with the Samaritans. I love it both for the lovely colleagues ( nicest group of people ever) and the wonderful conversations we have with our callers. It’s such a privilege to engage with someone who has had the courage to call and speak to a stranger.

Some of my branch members are incredible with their generosity with their time.

I volunteered at the local zoo when my daughter was small. It was in the activity centre so face painting, helping kids make badges and colour stuff in. Some small animal care as well. Was there for about a year. Then I joined the pta when my son started school. Finally I became a beaver leader when my son joined beavers and did that until Covid. No volunteering now but am working more now than I did when kids were smaller.

I volunteer at an animal shelter. It's fabulous. I do a mix of jobs there from IT to general maintenance. And there's always at least one dog in the office!

I've done loads over the years. I was brought up with Mum doing a books-on-wheels round - we used to go with her in the school hols, and I was volunteered by mum to help one of her "old ladies" to go through her bills and bank accounts with her, as she couldn't read except in large print, and companies weren't as likely to make adjustments like large print statements back then. But i also had volunteers running my swimming club, my Duke of Edinburgh Award, my sister's guide troop, and loads of jumble sales and the like. So i saw examples of volunteering everywhere, and i knew so many things wouldn't happen without them.

I've taught swimming, done wildlife counts, scrub clearance, building, lots of STEM activities with schools, stewarding at agricultural shows, run a public speaking club. Tomorrow, I'm encouraging kids on an IT summer camp to consider careers in tech (which is helping work achieve their social value goals.) On Saturday, I'm stewarding at an outdoor event. Later in August, I'm volunteering at a museum for a day. Oh, and I'm a regular blood donor (when I'm allowed - currently barrdd for low iron.)

I usually do one-off events than regular, weekly stuff, because that fits in better with the rest of my life currently.

I litter pick in our local area (because the council are dreadful). Also at the local garden - but that is tricky at the moment because my own garden needs most of my physical energy. Monthly as an usher at a community theatre - which is great because I get to see plays for free!
I also mentor young refugees and asylum seekers which is a total joy. Helping them establish themselves, access education and begin to be a useful part of society. It's sometimes tough - my current mentee messages me daily about his laptop password - but the rewards are enormous and make my life better.
My ultimate aim is to teach literacy in prisons, but the requirements need me to spend money on qualifications that I just don't have (the £ that is).
Volunteering is central to my values and soul (I have frequently been called a bleeding heart liberal). To my mind, I live in one of the safest countries in the world and have immense privilege by being able to access food, water, shelter. medication and education.
I know many people in the UK are suffering at the moment - but we have safety nets that are not available in many many other countries.

I volunteer as a scout leader and am a charity trustee.

I get a lot out of both roles and enjoy it. I’ve made great friends too.

The sentiment of this thread as a place to thank others and to hear about their voluntary work is great and well done to everyone who is able to volunteer but I'm sorry OP but this is not ok:

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?

That is just not fair. Volunteering takes up a lot of time and energy which many people don't have. Perhaps they would like to do something but they are working long hours or bringing up a family or caring for elderly relatives.
Some people are struggling to make ends meet and having to take on extra shifts or doing two jobs just to stay afloat.

Often people are giving back to society by the nature of the work they do, through bringing up children and being unpaid carers.

I cannot volunteer because it's just not possible under my current circumstances and there will be plenty of others like me.
It's not ok to say "do FA". Please remember that being able to volunteer is coming from a place of privilege and not everyone is able to.

To finish on a more positive note, yes, it's amazing what volunteers do and how dedicated so many of them are and what they contribute to society.

I volunteer in a local historical building and I love it. Lots of school trips and I've met people from all over the world. I love history and I feel very privileged to be able to volunteer in such a beautiful building

I have been on the PTA at my children's school for the last 6 years and not withstanding the odd gripe from parents and a bit of frustration with the organisation of the school I have loved every minute of it. Love thinking of events to put on, love seeing the kids have fun, have made some really good friends and we have raised a shit load of money and made some real improvements to the school. When my eldest leaves in a couple of years I will be looking for other volunteering opportunities. My dad is nearly 80 and is a trustee of a local charity, he has been volunteering since I was a baby in one form or another so I think I get the need to help from him.

Volunteered for Samaritans as a listening volunteer since 2016. One shift a week, 3 hours. I’ve heard it all, and everything in between. Suicide, abuse, debt, prisoners, mental health in abundance. The weird, the wonderful, and the damn right bonkers. The shit people have to live with never ceases to astound me.

I love it.

I volunteer with Rainbows, help with the PTA and also set up a free baby group after covid to get families back together and support each other. I don't do the baby group anymore as my work hours changed but the local church took it on and it's still going strong, which is brilliant

I'm on the PTA and also help the local Cubs group.
It's been very out of my comfort zone as I'm an introvert but it's been great for meeting new people and building confidence.

My mum has recently retired and she helps at her local school and hospital and is loving it.