Thinking of volunteering as a route back to work

[IntergalacticHussy]

I've been a SAHM for 5 years. Recently I've been thinking I'd like to volunteer for something worthy maybe one day a week in order to get back into the swing of things and find something I really want to do.

I've had a look on a few volunteering websites and the good news is there seem to be plenty of opportunities (sadly, I suspect a lot of them might be the result of Cameron's big society swindle, putting people out of paid work, but that's another thread) but I'd like to make sure that whatever i do is worth hiring a childminder for dd2 iyswim? What kind of voluntary roles are the most broadly useful in terms of gaining the experience which will help me back into paid work in the future, and which do you think are 'dead ends'?

I'm especially wary as I was in a dead end admin job before I had dd1 and swore to myself i'd never go back. I'd also like to use my degree, although as it's in Philosophy that seems highly unlikely!

any ideas?

how about Scouts? (cubs, Beavers)....you can do a NVQ as a youth leader through them, which would then allow you to work in a youth leader/childcare environment such as holiday clubs. Presume Brownies and Guides would also work.

plus you wouldnt need a childminder.

school governor (evenings) would give you an in into schools for ta/admin jobs. Or indeed allow you to get an "in" into teaching.

I have been a sahm about 4 years and am doing voluntary work with Homestart, a charity which sends in a volunteer to befriend and help vulnerable families with at least on child under 5. Google it to find out where your local one is. I have just completed the volunteer preparation course and will hopefully visit a family soon. There isn't funding for volunteers at my local centre at the moment, so am just waiting around at the moment. They do provide some excellent training, to prepare you for your voluntary work. Hope you find something you enjoy, best of luck!

Have you looked at do-it.org. I think you can type in your postcode and it comes up with a list of voluntary opportunities local to you. You can also select your interests as to what you want to volunteer for. HTH.

that sounds interesting, mamasmissionimpossible, sorry to hear about the funding problem where you are. I did have a look at do-it but to be honest it just left me feeling a bit overwhelmed; i suppose because my interests have always been quite broad.

The things which jumped out at me were an opportunity to work for the red cross in an educational role, (but after enquiring it seems they're really looking for under 25's - boo hoo as i'm nearly 30!) and various art projects, some working with older people, some with families and youngsters. There were quite a few mentoring and counselling type vacancies. Then there were a few research roles in various museums and historical organisations. Am i too old to be so unfocused?

CAB - thats good training