Can a 13yo do voluntary work? Help out in an old people's home??

[franch]

A 13yo I know would like to help old people - maybe even just chat or read to people in a home or something. I did this sort of thing as a teenager but expect there are more regulations now. Anyone know how she should approach this?

And if not, is there anything else she could do?

I don't think she will be allowed to until she is 16, because of insurance.

i guess the first thing would be to approach a few local homes and ask?

Thanks - yes she's going to ask. If she's not allowed, is there anything she can do? This is the same 13yo who's had trouble with depression, and I think it's great that she's looking outside herself - it could really boost her painfully low self-esteem if she was able to help others.

could she do some work experience type stuff? I don't even know if she would be allowed.

mm, don't know either. She goes to church regularly with her mum - maybe they'd be able to point her in the direction of something altruistic she could do

I will watch this thread with interest...my dd wants to volunteer to work and help the rspca but I assume she is too young...she is 13 in July.. Good on your dd for wanting to get out there and do something with herself..

what about dog walking (for old people?) I guess that only works if she is ok with dogs..

My 13yo is 14 in a couple of months and she's going to volunteer at our local animal sanctuary. We've had to wait about a year for insurance purposes she has to be 14.
She's mad about animals and dogs in particular, has your 13yo got any hobbies or interests that could give you some ideas.

I helped out at an old people's home as part of a Guides badge (15 years ago!). Could she get involved with something like Guides/Duke of Edinburgh Awards/Cadets that do community work?

I don't think its as old as 16. Some of my Guides do voluntary work and they are only 14 and 15.

Thanks for all the responses. I just looked at the Worldwide Volunteering website - they have an excellent searchable database but it seems you do have to be 14.

Just wonder if there's anything less formal she could do. I'd really hate to dampen her enthusiasm. Not sure if she'd fancy taking on the whole guides thing or whatever

sugarplum - her main interests are literature, drama, dance, languages, art

Im a service manager and for the most part volunteers, even ones who just want to sit and chat to the old people have to be over 18-ridiculous but true!(all to do with the insurance and CRB checks and what not)
But local privately run homes might have more sensible policies-cant hurt to ask..

I think its great she is interested in volunteering though and if she can find somewhere to do it it would be great for the old people too..

try asking the old peoples home directly - they might be happy enough to have her come in as a "visitor", making it less official ifswim?

What about via her school?

I know I was somewhat older, but when I was in the 6th form we were encouraged to do voluntary work for a term. I signed up for a local school for children with moderate learning difficulties. Was one of the best things I've ever done.

Yes that's the kind of thing I think Shrinking

What about the local library? Though again she may have to be 14.

Yes will suggest she asks at school too, thanks Mercy

Should stress this is not my DD - god, the mind boggles at the thought of my two (3y and 19m) in an old people's home

In Guiding you have to be 14 to help at meetings unless you are already a Guide in which case its 12!

There must be something she can do. It just seems so unfair doesn't it. My Guides help at horses stables, local farm, ballet classes, local hospice. Again, I can't guarantee they did it before they were 14, but someone must want help from a 13 year old that keen fgs! I think its rotten that they can't earn a little bit of cash either. I'm sure I had a Saturday job when I was 13.

So much red tape now. Her confidence is so fragile, I am desperate not to dent it by knocking her back when she's come up with such a fab idea