Discussion
Looking to fill some spare time and to meet different people, so have decided on volunteering. Would like to try and help those less fortunate, unwell, things like that.
Can I get any input or experiences please? Have you done it or thought about it and how did you actually find something to do?
There are plenty advertised online but they are nearly all full time. I can only do weekends and need to be flexible.
Honestly I didn't think it would be so hard to give away my time for free...........
Good ideas for weekend flexible weekend assistance greatly appreciated!!
Can I get any input or experiences please? Have you done it or thought about it and how did you actually find something to do?
There are plenty advertised online but they are nearly all full time. I can only do weekends and need to be flexible.
Honestly I didn't think it would be so hard to give away my time for free...........
Good ideas for weekend flexible weekend assistance greatly appreciated!!
What do you want to do and what are you good at? Meals on Wheels, collecting for charity shops, help out at scouts/cadets/BB/kids sports club/whatever, St Johns Ambulance. If you're nosy you could be an official prison, custody or hospital visitor. Alternatively do it yourself; get an allotment, grow stuff and give it away, pick up litter, do your elderly neighbour's lawnmowing/bins/gutters/shopping. Slightly less altruistically you could join a local sports club(ideally one you like or are good at) and volunteer for a committee position, as it can be a s
tty job and no-one gives you any thanks. Even less altruistically you could join the Army Reserve/RAF reserve/RNR and get paid to not go to war on wednesdays and weekends, or get elected to your local council and make bad decisions and accept bribes(probably better not do that).
tty job and no-one gives you any thanks. Even less altruistically you could join the Army Reserve/RAF reserve/RNR and get paid to not go to war on wednesdays and weekends, or get elected to your local council and make bad decisions and accept bribes(probably better not do that).do-it.org seems to be a central site for volunteer work and the one I currently use.
Wish everyone who could would give an hour a week to help a person/organisation they didn't know - the difference would be off the scale. I've been doing it for a while whilst working full time and raising a family.
It's never going to fit every circumstance and some people genuinely have no time, but finding that spare hour or two a week can't be beyond everybody...
Wish everyone who could would give an hour a week to help a person/organisation they didn't know - the difference would be off the scale. I've been doing it for a while whilst working full time and raising a family.
It's never going to fit every circumstance and some people genuinely have no time, but finding that spare hour or two a week can't be beyond everybody...
I do a session over Winter with homeless and those needing a place to stay. It's seasonal and I tend to do a couple of nights a week.
I found out about it when our banns were being read, the vicar made a mention of the shelter and if anyone would like to donate some food it would be greatly received. I thought I could donate some time as well, so signed up for it.
It's interesting, you meet all manner of people from various walks of life. It's not particularly challenging physically, setting up tables and beds, making food, making sure people have a safe secure place to stop over and general hosting. I've made some new friends in the other volunteers there, and I recognise the guests in town and generally stop for a chat when I see them, just seeing how they are, what they're up to.
I found out about it when our banns were being read, the vicar made a mention of the shelter and if anyone would like to donate some food it would be greatly received. I thought I could donate some time as well, so signed up for it.
It's interesting, you meet all manner of people from various walks of life. It's not particularly challenging physically, setting up tables and beds, making food, making sure people have a safe secure place to stop over and general hosting. I've made some new friends in the other volunteers there, and I recognise the guests in town and generally stop for a chat when I see them, just seeing how they are, what they're up to.
Outside of work, I'm Chairman of a Community Radio station on which I also present a show. We have about 40 volunteer presenters and helpers and is terrific fun. We do a lot of stuff in around the community, supporting fundraising and events and the like.
If there's a Community Radio station near you, give it a look!
If there's a Community Radio station near you, give it a look!
Outside of work, I'm Chairman of a Community Radio station on which I also present a show. We have about 40 volunteer presenters and helpers and is terrific fun. We do a lot of stuff in around the community, supporting fundraising and events and the like.
If there's a Community Radio station near you, give it a look!
If there's a Community Radio station near you, give it a look!
When my Dad retired, he volunteered to drive the mini-bus for Age Concern a couple of afternoons a week. It was a knackered old LDV Sherpa well passed it's sell-by date.
He went about fund raising for a new one. As the worthy laidies of the AC board knew nothing about buses, they asked him to oversee the purchase of the new one. He met with all the suppliers, costing wheelchair ramps, service costs, tax breaks, charity discounts, etc. They landed their first Renault Traffic.
It was such a success, they committed to running 2. Next came a bigger Master. Now with 2 buses to run, need more drivers. Then making routes for the drivers to pick-up the old dears to take them to Tea Dances, market visits or weeks away. He was almost back to working full time and loving it. They got inviting to all the big events, RAF Big Band dances, horse drawn carriage parades, you name it.
He finally retired from driving his little old ladies this year. He's in his mid 80's but still on the board of AC, being asked to Govt meetings about the elderly, pensions, even fireworks night, ect.
All from offering a few hours a week to give something back. I think he's thoroughly enjoyed his retirement.
He went about fund raising for a new one. As the worthy laidies of the AC board knew nothing about buses, they asked him to oversee the purchase of the new one. He met with all the suppliers, costing wheelchair ramps, service costs, tax breaks, charity discounts, etc. They landed their first Renault Traffic.
It was such a success, they committed to running 2. Next came a bigger Master. Now with 2 buses to run, need more drivers. Then making routes for the drivers to pick-up the old dears to take them to Tea Dances, market visits or weeks away. He was almost back to working full time and loving it. They got inviting to all the big events, RAF Big Band dances, horse drawn carriage parades, you name it.
He finally retired from driving his little old ladies this year. He's in his mid 80's but still on the board of AC, being asked to Govt meetings about the elderly, pensions, even fireworks night, ect.
All from offering a few hours a week to give something back. I think he's thoroughly enjoyed his retirement.
I volunteer my time as a crew member for my local RNLI lifeboat station. Its quite commitment but I love it. Family has to be quite understanding when you run out the door at tea time or family film night to go help a complete stranger but its rewarding. Get to learn some great skills and play with some pretty cool toys.
Great responses! Who'd have thought PHers could be so generous and warm-hearted... I thought we were supposed act all "cold-hearted arch-capitalists".
Thanks, there's a bit to go on, here. I did actually do a day at a homeless shelter a while back, but managed to slightly get in the way of another worker's plans and didn't really feel like going back after that.
Thanks, there's a bit to go on, here. I did actually do a day at a homeless shelter a while back, but managed to slightly get in the way of another worker's plans and didn't really feel like going back after that.
Hoofy said:
Have been running tai chi classes for cancer patients for the last 10 years (FOC, obviously).
Out of interest, does this help them? I know this sort of stuff is supposed to have a general benefit to wellbeing, so I'm curious about your experience.Some areas (I know mine does) has a "get people to medical appointments" I expect most of this is during the week.
Here it's organised by the local council. You use your own car but the people you're giving a lift to pay mileage expenses.
http://www.ruralwarwickshire.org.uk/backand4th
You let them know when you're available and they advise you of duties giving you a week or so notice
Here it's organised by the local council. You use your own car but the people you're giving a lift to pay mileage expenses.
http://www.ruralwarwickshire.org.uk/backand4th
You let them know when you're available and they advise you of duties giving you a week or so notice
I do 2 hours voluntary work each week helping inactive people make a positive change to their lives and get out to exercise. I'm a run leader for a local running club and we take people from every level through a couch to 5k program. We are lucky to get a small amount of funding from the Tony Blair sports foundation so we manage to keep the costs per session down to 50p a person. Once people go through the C25k program we have a number of groups that they can progress to in order to make sure they're constantly pushed and challenged. It's pretty impressive to watch folk go from zero to half marathon runners within a number of months.
I've met a lot of really nice folk through it too.
I've met a lot of really nice folk through it too.
I'll probably regret divulging such information, but I'm a Scout leader (Beaver section - still makes me snigger)
I got into it through my son joining up and them not having enough help. I wasn't busy so stuck around and before long I'd gone through the training (pretty decent to be fair) and was a leader.
The reason for my enthusiam is because when I saw other groups, 9 times out of 10 you've got some fat lazy old woman bint running the group who's only interest was drawing pictures or making models.
That wasn't really what it should be like in my eyes (or the Scouts' eyes either to be fair) so I made an effort to give my group at least two outdoor camps a year and ensure they're doing good varied and exciting st and ensure we're out and about as much as possible.
My group is obviously the best because of me. If you've got a bit of get up and go, I'd say it's very rewarding (as well as being the last thing on earth I envisaged me doing) get the odd child in who needs a bit more work, but we get there. The one I'm thinking of threw a titanic mental on camp when I cut his sandwiches into squares not triangles (off the scale OCD) but I got there in the end
Something to consider..plenty of support with it too.
I got into it through my son joining up and them not having enough help. I wasn't busy so stuck around and before long I'd gone through the training (pretty decent to be fair) and was a leader.
The reason for my enthusiam is because when I saw other groups, 9 times out of 10 you've got some fat lazy old woman bint running the group who's only interest was drawing pictures or making models.
That wasn't really what it should be like in my eyes (or the Scouts' eyes either to be fair) so I made an effort to give my group at least two outdoor camps a year and ensure they're doing good varied and exciting s
t and ensure we're out and about as much as possible.My group is obviously the best because of me. If you've got a bit of get up and go, I'd say it's very rewarding (as well as being the last thing on earth I envisaged me doing) get the odd child in who needs a bit more work, but we get there. The one I'm thinking of threw a titanic mental on camp when I cut his sandwiches into squares not triangles (off the scale OCD) but I got there in the end
Something to consider..plenty of support with it too.
I'm a Trustee, Lead Coxswain and also Procurements Officer for an independent lifeboat.
It's really good fun, a great bunch of lads (and now ladies) to work with and very fulfilling work. We rescued a drowning man on Saturday night within 15 minutes of the shift starting.
It does take up a lot of my time, I've put in 428 hours on duty this year so far, and a lot more doing paperwork, emails etc but we have roles for all sorts of people, operational crews who are either on the boat or on foot patrols, non operational crew who include fundraisers, social media people, our treasurer etc and people can commit as much or as little time as they can.
Before this I used to drive minibuses of old and disabled people about for a community transport charity, again I can't recommend it enough, some of the old people had some amazing stories to tell and the little things I could do to liven their days up, like going around the seafront on a sunny day rather than the more usual route through town seemed to make a lot of difference.
As an aside I also met my fiancee at the community transport charity where she was the admin girl so you never know what else you might gain from volunteering. It also looks good on your CV.
It's really good fun, a great bunch of lads (and now ladies) to work with and very fulfilling work. We rescued a drowning man on Saturday night within 15 minutes of the shift starting.
It does take up a lot of my time, I've put in 428 hours on duty this year so far, and a lot more doing paperwork, emails etc but we have roles for all sorts of people, operational crews who are either on the boat or on foot patrols, non operational crew who include fundraisers, social media people, our treasurer etc and people can commit as much or as little time as they can.
Before this I used to drive minibuses of old and disabled people about for a community transport charity, again I can't recommend it enough, some of the old people had some amazing stories to tell and the little things I could do to liven their days up, like going around the seafront on a sunny day rather than the more usual route through town seemed to make a lot of difference.
As an aside I also met my fiancee at the community transport charity where she was the admin girl so you never know what else you might gain from volunteering. It also looks good on your CV.
I volunteer at a not for profit theatre. Normally either front of house or box office. I love it, wanted to work in a theatre since a kid, but didn't end up that way. I work with great people and get to see the shows.
My dog is also a PAT dog, my Mum takes him into a local nursing home/hospice etc one morning a week. He adores all the attention and it is many of the patients highlight of the week and judging by the number of birthday and Christmas cards/presents he gets he is well liked!
My dog is also a PAT dog, my Mum takes him into a local nursing home/hospice etc one morning a week. He adores all the attention and it is many of the patients highlight of the week and judging by the number of birthday and Christmas cards/presents he gets he is well liked!
Pentoman said:
Out of interest, does this help them? I know this sort of stuff is supposed to have a general benefit to wellbeing, so I'm curious about your experience.
As I partner with local hospitals, I only offer classes as a form of relaxation. For this purpose, 99% of attendees find that it works wonders at helping them to de-stress. 
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff