Where can we volunteer over Xmas with the kids?

[Roopachoo]

Full acknowledgement that my primary school aged child & toddler may be more of a hindrance than a help. But really want to find a place where we can regularly devote a bit of our time to regularly starting with this Christmas. Please give me your pearls of wisdom. We live in north London so anywhere within under an hours journey would be ideal.

Most places are heavily oversubscribed for help on Christmas day.

Really not the best time to start. Why not make it a family new year resolution and between Christmas and New Year do some reading up/asking around. Think you will be limited in what is available if you want to get the children involved so start your search with that as the main criteria.

When I was in primary in other country, we regularly went into town to clear up the mess on the street.
Maybe you can do something like that as family? Good for community, great learning for kids not throw rubbish on the street.

"Mayor of London - Team London" lists volunteering opportunities.

You could volunteer at a pre-school baby and toddler group and take your toddler. Lots of people do this. Help with the teas and coffees, be on the management committee, help clear things away.

Is there a local old person's home you could all visit? (I would avoid a hospice). Very many elderly people do not get any visits. Also the elderly in the community like visits too. There may be a group that organises this and has a register of who could do with a friendly visit. It may even be someone in your road.

Also, what about listening to reading in your school-age child's school, or being a Governor. I think your children are very youg to help in any meaningful way but you could help lots of other children by being a Governor or helping in school. This sets a good example to your children.

Lots of Churches are aware of volunteering opportunities in the community. You could ask there.

you've left it really late, and any where you go now you'll be tripping up over the other once a year volunteers.

I think doing something regularly is of far more value and you will establish a relationship with those you come into contact with. Spend Christmas researching what you want to do!

Thank you for all of your advice- I suspected we were too late for Christmas but some wonderful ideas. Just feeling like some balance with all the excess would be great for DD... and I know a concern is how to engage younger kids in a meaningful way. She is really not going to be of any help in a soup kitchen! I just want her to be aware of how fortunate we are. Saying that we live on the border of a very deprived area of London so I will try the local churches.

Bojorojo- my Dad just stepped down from role as chair of governors after almost 23 years in an inner-city school (nobody else ever put themselves forward!), and you are right, it really opened up our eyes to the problems and inequalities which so many children faced. Would you recommend visiting a lonely elder in the community with my child? I had thought about the reading in a school, but would like to involve DD in some way.