Who does any volunteering?

Who does any volunteering?

Author
Discussion

sideways sid

1,371 posts

214 months

Monday 27th June 2016
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I've done a few Dream Rides to raise money for children's charities with the Sporting Bears.

I recommend it for PHers.

www.sportingbears.co.uk

Billyray911

1,072 posts

203 months

Monday 27th June 2016
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After having a rescue dog from the dogs trust,I volunteered to do home visits for them in my local area.When I applied to take on a dog,they didn't have anybody to visit me and do the same,so I asked if this was a role that they would like me to do.
I get a fairly regular amount of visits to do and if it helps a little...

Jordan210

4,503 posts

182 months

Monday 27th June 2016
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I volunteer at Prostate Cancer UK. Do once a week in there offices.

Working on a number of projects at the moment. All ways something different to do and the people are great.

Bungleaio

6,324 posts

201 months

Monday 27th June 2016
quotequote all
I volunteer for http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/

Once a month I pick up a lady and we go to a tea party at someones house. Their is about 10 elderly people that go, the same each time. The venue changes each month to a different persons house. Each tea party is completely different as you never know what they are going to come out with next.

To qualify to be part of the group the person has to be over 75 and live alone, there are a couple of people in the group that the only time they leave their house during the month is to either go to the doctors or these parties.

It's only one sunday afternoon a month so nothing like some of you guys on here.

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

182 months

Monday 27th June 2016
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Spent just over 7 years volunteering with the ATC as a Civilian Instructor (left a few months ago). After 7 years as a Cadet I just carried on as a member of staff. Spent over half my life there but felt other aspects of my life needed to take priority.

Still do a little with my local Scout troop (1 night a week with the Cubs) but I shall be stopping that when they stop for summer.

I spent years as a Cub/Scout/Cadet and felt I should pass what I'd learnt back on to the next batch coming through. It was hard work at times but also great fun and rewarding. Now though I have personal projects that need to be dealt with (a motorhome, Landrover and the house) and now she's finished uni I can spend a bit more time with the girlfriend as I'm not out at the weekends.

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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Bungleaio said:
I volunteer for http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/

Once a month I pick up a lady and we go to a tea party at someones house. Their is about 10 elderly people that go, the same each time. The venue changes each month to a different persons house. Each tea party is completely different as you never know what they are going to come out with next.

To qualify to be part of the group the person has to be over 75 and live alone, there are a couple of people in the group that the only time they leave their house during the month is to either go to the doctors or these parties.

It's only one sunday afternoon a month so nothing like some of you guys on here.
Good on you for doing it.

Shame it isn't more frequent.

227bhp

10,203 posts

127 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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Hoofy said:
Bungleaio said:
I volunteer for http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/

Once a month I pick up a lady and we go to a tea party at someones house. Their is about 10 elderly people that go, the same each time. The venue changes each month to a different persons house. Each tea party is completely different as you never know what they are going to come out with next.

To qualify to be part of the group the person has to be over 75 and live alone, there are a couple of people in the group that the only time they leave their house during the month is to either go to the doctors or these parties.

It's only one sunday afternoon a month so nothing like some of you guys on here.
Good on you for doing it.

Shame it isn't more frequent.
Yes it is, you should be doing two a day.
At least.

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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227bhp said:
Yes it is, you should be doing two a day.
At least.
Only two a day? That's not very community-minded of you.

Original Poster

5,429 posts

175 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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I volunteer for Victim Support in North Hampshire.

Really enjoy it.

markmullen

15,877 posts

233 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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It's worth noting the other benefits of volunteering people might not have thought of:

  • The people you meet. I spend a huge amount of time with my crew, to the point that due to the floods in York I spent much more time with them over Christmas than my own folks. We're like a big family, always looking out for one another, and great friends.
  • How good it looks on your CV. Employers are more and more looking for more rounded individuals with interests outside of work, volunteering looks great and also gives you something extra to talk about in an interview, eg I was asked about the last time I handled a conflict, I referred to the week before where I'd had to intervene in a domestic when the female tried to settle the argument by jumping in to a flooded river.
  • The experiences it gives you, I'd been blue lighted through my own city in a 16 vehicle convoy where members of the public were applauding us as we came through, gone down white water rafting courses without a raft, evacuated a whole bunch of worried old folk from a flooded care home, all sorts of stuff which I'll remember for a long time.
  • The training you get. I've got first aid training and certificates which come in useful in day to day life outside of my volunteering, navigation and search skills and abilities which will stay with me for a long time. Great management experience which can be transferred to any job or role outside of my volunteering.


There are so many different and varied volunteering roles out there, no matter what you do or enjoy there will be an organisation who would be delighted to have you for as much time as you want to spare, whether it be an hour a month or the much bigger amounts of time some on this thread donate.


Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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The only benefit I'm interested in is that people who are not as lucky as me benefit from what I do!

Pulse

10,922 posts

217 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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Hoofy said:
The only benefit I'm interested in is that people who are not as lucky as me benefit from what I do!
Same here, but Mark's right to highlight the other benefits from volunteering.

In my workplace, it's almost expected that you volunteer; especially in order to get ahead. That doesn't mean I volunteer because of that, but it's a good side benefit.

The main thing I've had as a side benefit is the bit about the skills you can then apply elsewhere. I've learned a lot about myself, how I conduct myself, and other management things - all have been useful in my personal and professional life.

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
Pulse said:
Hoofy said:
The only benefit I'm interested in is that people who are not as lucky as me benefit from what I do!
Same here, but Mark's right to highlight the other benefits from volunteering.

In my workplace, it's almost expected that you volunteer; especially in order to get ahead. That doesn't mean I volunteer because of that, but it's a good side benefit.

The main thing I've had as a side benefit is the bit about the skills you can then apply elsewhere. I've learned a lot about myself, how I conduct myself, and other management things - all have been useful in my personal and professional life.
I suppose if it encourages some people...

I admit I have got a cup of coffee or two out of it over the years.

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

250 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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I am not working at the moment as I'm undertaking a house renovation, even though I am busier with that than a full time job - I hated not doing 'anything' meaningful.

So I have begun visiting a local school with my dog (registered PAT dog) to help children who are struggling with reading (the Read To Dogs scheme run by Pets As Therapy). It is really rewarding and I really enjoy it.

Not really volunteering but I also started an appeal to help street dogs and cats in Spain (which has a horrendous problem with cruelty, neglect, abandonment and complete lack of interest generally or indeed money) and the first van full of unwanted bedding/towels, toys, food and medication is heading down to Spain in the next month. I am delighted with the response which started via friends but has grown wider and I have had donations from all over Surrey via a Facebook page.

I am a real advocate of volunteering, for many reasons - and the roles available are as diverse as paid employment. smile

Pulse

10,922 posts

217 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
Hoofy said:
I suppose if it encourages some people...

I admit I have got a cup of coffee or two out of it over the years.
The cups of tea and great people are what make you come back! smile

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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LeftmostAardvark said:
I'm heavily involved in a motorcycle-based organisation which started in USA and we've recently brought to the UK which empowers victims of child abuse. It takes a lot of time and effort but is very rewarding.
Is this BACA?

if so I applaud you. I found the founding members interesting thesis behind it.

"Chief’s thesis was that a child who has been abused by an adult can benefit psychologically from the presence of even more intimidating adults that they know are on their side."


Matt UK

17,649 posts

199 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
sideways sid said:
I've done a few Dream Rides to raise money for children's charities with the Sporting Bears.

I recommend it for PHers.

www.sportingbears.co.uk
I'm interested in this - do you need to change / notify your insurance? Are the donations classed as 'reward'? I hope not.

Ranger 6

7,042 posts

248 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
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GOG440 said:
Ranger 6 said:
Rally Marshal/Official. We're getting very short of 'new blood' coming into the sport which with the new safety requirements could affect events.
I do some Marshalling too (when work doesnt get in the way)
I dont count my self as new blood though as I am mid 40s lol

Are you yorkshire based? I am sure I have heard that call sign before.
I'm not physically based in Yorkshire but my home club is Trackrod in Leeds. Their call signs are all Ranger ''something' so would be quite well heard over the airwaves.

wst

3,494 posts

160 months

Wednesday 29th June 2016
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Bit of a range of stuff - I spent a year in the workshop and 2 (or 3?) in ground crew for the Shuttleworth Collection. I've held the tail down on their Sea Hurricane doing a preflight power check, I've catapulted an ancient aircraft into the sky with a long bit of elastic, I got to fiddle with the guts of a Merlin engine and I've held a bit of scaffold pole up while a variety of planes flew under some bunting that was tied to the top (limbo).

Since those heady days of doing lots of volunteering I've gone to slightly less knackering/time consuming pursuits. I help out at the local model club on "junior slot car" mornings at the weekend.

LeftmostAardvark

1,434 posts

163 months

Wednesday 29th June 2016
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Vandenberg said:
Is this BACA?

if so I applaud you. I found the founding members interesting thesis behind it.

"Chief’s thesis was that a child who has been abused by an adult can benefit psychologically from the presence of even more intimidating adults that they know are on their side."
Yes, there was a peer reviewed paper that was recently published which showed a massive impact. Anecdotally, it seems to have an enormous impact on kids and their families.