Suggestions needed for involving DS (age 4) to volunteer

[prayfordirection]

DS is the only child. It appears gradually that he does in some way believes he's the centre of the world and has taken things for granted.

We always tried to be very careful not to spoil him. But all in all, being the only child, it's difficult to appreciate the love he was given is precious and he's a lot luckier than others.

I've been always want to bring him with me to volunteer to see the less lucky lives and learn to appreciate the value of "giving" instead of "taking".

I did a bit research. It seems not very obvious to find opportunities for a family with a young child to volunteer. I'm not interested in volunteering abroad. But would love to find something takes a full day or a few hours at weekends, as DH and I both work full-time.

I found National Trust has a page. But when I search for my area, there's nothing suitable for family. We live in Herts and very close to London. Do you know any opportunities to volunteer:

for sea life
for nature/woodland/forest
for homeless people/refugees

This is something I want to do for a long time for myself. If DS could be involved, it would be more practical for family schedule too.

Any good ideas please?

Not exactly volunteering but could you go out at the weekend and buy hot drinks and pasties for rough sleepers, or buy warm clothing/blankets to give out?
Or get him involved in fundraising by helping you to wash cars or bake and sell cakes.
Or visit an elderly person who doesn't get many visitors..... I used to take ds to visit his great grandma in a care home and some of the residents loved to see a little person pottering around.

Sorry, I know these aren't in the areas requested but might he be a bit young for specific projects.

Also, we're in exactly the same position as our ds is 4 and an only child. I think they're all pretty self centred at this age!

flyingpinkduckgirl, great tips. I will start with a few of these easy-reached stuff first.

I also signed up for one of the Beachwatch projects.

www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/volunteers

Thank you. :)

My eldest and I used to Litter pick our local streets from when she was about this age. We used to send photos to the council of what we had collected as part of a campaign to get street cleaners in our little suburb. It worked, and the main streets are picked up by a council team but some more rural pathways aren't so we still do them from time to time... admittedly more in the summer than winter!