The decision to volunteer- anyone kind enough to talk me through it?

[ItsOKIHaveaBook]

Feeling very pressurised to volunteer. I am in my 30s, single and have no dependents.

I know I ought to do my bit but I'm also worried about taking it home to my parents. Mum is late 60s and Dad early 70s.

Am I right in thinking that I would need 14 days after any shift before I could go and see them, all being well?

I also am dreading being left with the children who need 1-1 TA support and a strong routine get through the day. I know that sounds uncaring and mean :(

In what way are you being pressurised to volunteer? What do you do for a living?

Are you a teacher? Or TA? We have been told we are to come in unless self isolating, vulnerable category or are ill. Considered key workers so kids will be at their schools. I expect a rota will be set once we see how many kids in school. Schools are not closed to staff- if you don’t want to go in then you can expect it to be unpaid leave.

Teacher. Our schools are closed to staff and it is a voluntary decision.

Yes I think you should volunteer, and Skype your parents. That's what I will be doing.

If you don’t live with your parents you shouldn’t be seeing them anyway.

We’re all dreading it, but that’s not a reason not to do it, all it is doing is making your colleagues do more of it.

All our staff are doing one week in three on a rota basis. This works because everyone (except the 2 pregnant members of staff) is taking a turn.

My school is open because it is a special school and all pupils have EHCPs. I have two children at home and parents who are over 75. I won't be seeing my parents unless they become ill. They understand that. I fully support my school being open, vulnerable children and their families need the school to be open and I will be there to teach and am not complaining about it. We all need to do what we can and not be selfish.

I won't be seeing my parents unless they become ill

It is entirely possible that I have seen my parents for the last time. If we are in lockdown, I will not be able to travel to them if they are ill, as they live far away. If they are in hospital dying, infection control will mean I cannot visit them there. New rules on church funerals mean that my brothers and any surviving parent will have to choose who attends the (graveside) service, as no ceremony can be held in church.

I have (mostly) come to terms with this. I rage, occasionally.

If you don’t live with your parents you shouldn’t be seeing them anyway.
Agree. I'm similar to OP. I don't expect to go to my parent's house for a few months. Avoid unnecessary contact for everyone's protection.
(I'm also a teacher. Terrified of this virus, but I expect I'll be expected in even when most are off. Currently we're all expected in on Monday, even though this will be more staff than pupils)

Yes of course you should volunteer. You’re being paid aren’t you?

These are unprecedented times.

I'm on mat leave and have volunteered. You shouldn't be seeing your parents regardless.

My DS is a teacher and his partner an A&E nurse. He is volunteering. His school is working rotas plus lessons via internet. I haven't seen him since half term and as we are oldies I don't know when I'll see him next. We were meant to be on holiday together during May half term, just a pipe dream now. I just hope we all get through this.

I am volunteering and I live with elderly parents. I will be living in a bedroom essentially.

Unless you live in the same household as your parents you should be staying well away, regardless of if you're working.

Yes, I do think you should be one of the volunteers.

However, I'm starting to wonder about the sense of a rota, whereby all your available staff are exposed and could therefore all be unwell at the same time.

I understand why a rota sharing shifts out seems fair but wouldn't it be better to have blocks of staff working with isolated staff waiting to take over at the end of say, 14 days?

My parents are a couple of hours away and my in-laws a 10 min walk. We will only be seeing them if we see them outside and 2 m away. My parents may meet us somewhere open eg Nat trust or beach and stay 2 m apart. That's

I'm socially isolating as a part time teacher so working from home on curriculum and sending ideas into school.

I haven't heard about the volunteering, is that nhs? I was talking to a clinicial psych who said she may be used to change bed pans at some point. At the mo likely to be organising counselling.

I'm processing the fact I might have seen them for the last time. I've not fully processed it yet.

Mum is a busy hermit at the best of times so I think she's currently delighted with not seeing anyone! I think she's stockpiled canvases.

I haven’t heard of any schools using volunteering as a means to staff during term time. Why is that?

@fedup21 to have as few staff in as possible. We've asked for volunteers (large secondary expecting 50 kids). Credit to our young staff with no kids they've all stepped up. They have priority for the paid Easter sessions too.

For those asking about the rota, our school (and I think most others) are doing it in blocks. They have divided the staff into three groups who each work a week in school and then have two weeks out of school. Whilst out of school, they are preparing the online work for the non-keyworker children who are all at home.

@fedup21 What confuses you about this?

@fedup21 What confuses you about this?

I’m not confused, I’m just surprised. All the teachers I know have been rotad. The heads’ are saying that you are getting paid so you need to work (unless there are medical reasons).

They aren’t staffing the school by saying ‘who would like to work?’.

Staff at home are setting work. Having our staff WFH with children is keeping about 100 children out of primary school. Which helps in a different way.

@fedup21 Teachers are being paid to work. They are working safely from their home. How else do you think children are continuing to learn?

It makes an awful lot more sense to ask who would like to volunteer , than forcing teachers into a babysitting role whilst they continue to try to teach children as well as deal with all their own personal health matters etc.
There will be many non permanent teachers who will be happy to get paid and won’t have the same responsibilities as permanent teachers do towards their classes.

@Hercwasonaroll Makes perfect sense and doesn’t put needless pressure on staff who are going over and above already.