To stop my volunteering shift.

[Yoyokitten]

Hi, some advice please.
I'm 74 and beginning to feel my age, but very lucky really.
I have worked in a local animal charity shop for 2 years, and generally I do enjoy it and have made some good friends.
Lately however I just don't want to go at all.
I know I have no contract so could walk away, but I'm not sure how to word it nicely.
I have been on holiday or the last 3 weeks and have loved it.It's a very active job and so tiring.
Also as i have osteoarthritis in both knees, I have occasional physio.
My latest Xrays showed multiple tears in the meniscus I think it was.They heal in a few weeks but always go again.
Sorry for the long post.
I am due back tomorrow and just don't want to go.
Thanks for reading 🙂

So sorry for the typos !

You do not need to justify in any way stopping volunteering. It would be nice to give them a bit of notice but it’s not like you have a contract.

All you need to say is that you are resigning and give an effective date.

Remind yourself how lucky they are to have had your support for so long already. Think of all the animals they’ve been able to help because of you giving your time for free. And then tell yourself that you matter too.

They’ll be sad to lose you, but you need to tell them that resting on holiday has made you realise just how hard you find the physical nature of the work these days and that, regrettably, you’ve realised that it’s time to stop.

Then enjoy your well-earned rest!

YANBU, there's some good advice on how to resign in this similar post

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4913098-want-to-quit-some-volunteering-how-to-do-it-nicely

You are absolutely not being unreasonable - you have to put your own health and comfort first. I had to stop doing some voluntary work I enjoyed, due to arthritis in my neck, which meant I had to restrict time on a laptop.
Is there some other voluntary work that you would like to do? Many charities need help with office work and the CAB always need staff.

Thank you so much everyone for your lovely messages.
I think one problem is when I arrive at the shop, my work head takes over and i have loads of energy to get me through the day.
As soon as I stop i'm exhausted, but they only see me full of beans.😂

Thank you so much Madrush.
I hadn't thought about it like that, that they have been lucky to have had me for 2 years.
Your suggestion is perfect ,I will say that.
As you can tell from my username, it's a cat charity.😻

Sorry, one more question.
Do you think it would be ok to email the manager today, partly so I can give him a heads up, and also that I can work out how to phrase it properly, rather than face to face and saying the wrong thing.?
I retired 13 years ago so I don't know the etiquette of these things.
Thank you all

Yes, it’s absolutely fine to send an email with your resignation and then talk about it next time you go into the shop. I’m sure they will be sad to see you go but they will understand it’s time to end.

Email, give them notice so that they can plan and cover your shifts, go in today and let them know face to face that you'll be finishing say at the end of next week. You've volunteered many hours, you've been very kind giving your time, but you need to look after your knees. You could still help out occasionally if you wanted to with the parts of the volunteering you enjoyed or if they had an event, but don't feel bad about stopping.
Mad rush phrased it perfectly. 😊

I work in a charity shop and hate the thought that one of our volunteer's health was suffering due to their volunteering. I would email asap so they can cover you but please don't feel bad, you've done so much good in these past 2 years.

I would just email and say that due to ill health you can no longer volunteer. If you enjoy it then you could offer to work reduced hours or ask for accommodations (one of out volunteers uses a chair at the till) etc but it's really not necessary. You need to look after your own health first.

OP, it's great that you've helped out for so long. Just email " I've really enjoyed my time at CatShop. But unfortunately I need to step away from my role. I won't be able to return for any more shifts as from today."

You really don't need to give a reason, unless you want to. Alternatively, you could say you would be prepared to do half a day on the till but only if you could sit down throughout (or whatever you would like to do & would manage safely).

Thanks again for replying.
I feel so much better already, and will email my manager today x 😻.
I love Mumsnet !!

You've done your bit and im sure they are very grateful. Time to have a rest now.

Hi all, a quick update.
All your lovely messages gave me the push to email him today.
He was fantastic and said he was sad but just wanted me to be ok.That he understood and i had to think of myself.
To be honest I felt a bit tearful he was so kind.
Thanks again all 😻

Well done for sending the email. Hope you feel much better about it now. Time to put your feet up!

Thank you so much 🙂

Good outcome!! Look after yourself 😻

Well done for making your own wellbeing a priority. I'm sure they'll miss you, but good to hear that they also just want the best for you. I'm sure you could pop in for a visit every now and then too, if you'd like.

He sounds lovely - glad all went well.