Volunteering ops for 13 year old?

[dillonmck]

My dd keeps asking me how she can do some volunteer work. She doesn't know exactly what and doesn't have any strong feelings about a particular need or charity (Ive tried asking all the narrowing down questions). Im not even exactly sure what the driver is for it. I think she just wants to 'do' something maybe as a way of figuring herself out or feeling OK, not sure. She's not in guides or anything & her school doesn't do DofE until year 10. All the formal local ops are 16+. I dont have any links with anything we could attach on to. Any ideas very gratefully received....

I helped in a local nursery for a bit around that age as part of my DOE. Friend did some work in a local vets, grooming and the likes. How about helping an elderly neighbour with some chores or setting up a car boot sale with some friends?

Our local horse riding school also took young volunteers to muck the stables and lead the treks. Maybe if there is a cat and dog home nearby they would be willing?

Animal rescue centres, dog walking, feeding etc? Any local elderly neighbours that could do with help with shopping, gardening etc?

They have to be 1The 6 to help at rescue centres due to insurance unfortunately hippo.

Guiding and scouting are always in need if helpers if you think that would interest her? They both have young groups (rainbows 5-7 yo and beavers 6-8 yo). I did this from about her age and am still involved over 20 years later and love it!

Do you have any elderly neighbours that maybe she could do chores for or any with newborns /young kids! I would adore someone to flick a duster round or the hoover! Or even sit with my 8month old whole I did it!!

Does your town have a volunteer Centre that you could ask in?

Hth

Bloody autocorrect'! They have to be 16 for rescue centres.

She is old enoough to help at Brownies

13 year olds are allowed to work for pay (fat chance at our local but they are allowed to help) at stables. Riding for the disabled is a worthy activity.

When I lived in Croydon there was a local group called Waggy Tails which was a dog training group for teenagers with special needs. Many of the volunteers there were teenagers and it worked (and still does) fabulously. Anything like this in your area?
Or perhaps a social group for teenagers with disabilities, something where there is an advantage in being the same age group, perhaps a PHAB teenage section.
I think as well as looking good on the cv in years to come, this kind of volunteering really does a lot for teenagers' personal development too.

Ask her school PE department if they run tennis leaders. You can do that from 13 and then you can help at mini tennis competitions. If school don't run it, try asking a local tennis club or look on the LTA website for details. You don't have to be a tennis pro! It's basically throwing sponge balls to 4 year olds and match scoring. My 13 year old just did it and really enjoyed being the 'big girl' with all the little kids.

Or there's the Summer Reading Challenge in libraries - she could sign up to be a,challenge champion - helping children with book choices, giving out stickers etc.

Try the library, my one has a 13yrold volunteer.

I second the suggestions for helping at Rainbows, Brownies or Guides. It can be very rewarding and also fun working with kids. And looks great on her CV later if she sticks with it. Plus they're always looking for extra volunteers.