Discussion
Things you can do is a pretty big list so I’d try to pick an area that you already have an interest or passion for. That way you’re more likely to stick at it.
I’m currently looking to do similar and my first searches are animal charities/shelters. If that doesn’t pan out then I’ll move down my list.
I’m currently looking to do similar and my first searches are animal charities/shelters. If that doesn’t pan out then I’ll move down my list.
I've been a school governor for twenty-odd years. It is a mixture of rewarding work and deeply frustrating and pointless box ticking required by the whims of the local authority and Department for Education.
Properly done, it is a mixture of strategy setting for the school and day-to-day support for the head in recruitment, premises management, budgeting and disciplinary/appeals work. It can take a minimum of time or a couple of evenings a week depending on your appetite and skills and the complexity of the school in question. Mine has a deep involvement in special needs, so there is quite a lot of child protection and other specialist stuff that might not need doing in a bog standard school.
There's a national shortage of governors, especially of people who can add value rather than those who are there ex officio (financial skills, legal, HR, management experience, property).
Properly done, it is a mixture of strategy setting for the school and day-to-day support for the head in recruitment, premises management, budgeting and disciplinary/appeals work. It can take a minimum of time or a couple of evenings a week depending on your appetite and skills and the complexity of the school in question. Mine has a deep involvement in special needs, so there is quite a lot of child protection and other specialist stuff that might not need doing in a bog standard school.
There's a national shortage of governors, especially of people who can add value rather than those who are there ex officio (financial skills, legal, HR, management experience, property).
Insurance Institute.
Really enjoyable and as it's not really related to my Insurance day job, it's given me a shot in the arm and allows me to use my creative side plus hone/learn new skills such as speaking in large groups.
I get to meet new people, there's a fun element including black tie events and I am extremely proud of what I've achieved through this volunteer role.
My colleagues are fed up to the back teeth of me waffling on about it though!
Really enjoyable and as it's not really related to my Insurance day job, it's given me a shot in the arm and allows me to use my creative side plus hone/learn new skills such as speaking in large groups.
I get to meet new people, there's a fun element including black tie events and I am extremely proud of what I've achieved through this volunteer role.
My colleagues are fed up to the back teeth of me waffling on about it though!
My wife signed up to a befriending service, she chats to an elderly person on the phone once a week. Generally stuff, what they’ve both been up to etc, just someone to talk to.
She also takes the kids to a monthly play session in an old people’s home, the elderly residents love it and it gets them up and about.
Here’s an NHS link about befriending options, but if you have local trusts they’re likely to run their own services.
She also takes the kids to a monthly play session in an old people’s home, the elderly residents love it and it gets them up and about.
Here’s an NHS link about befriending options, but if you have local trusts they’re likely to run their own services.
bristolbaron said:
My wife signed up to a befriending service, she chats to an elderly person on the phone once a week. Generally stuff, what they’ve both been up to etc, just someone to talk to.
She also takes the kids to a monthly play session in an old people’s home, the elderly residents love it and it gets them up and about.
Here’s an NHS link about befriending options, but if you have local trusts they’re likely to run their own services.
that sounds like a good option - can you post the link pleaseShe also takes the kids to a monthly play session in an old people’s home, the elderly residents love it and it gets them up and about.
Here’s an NHS link about befriending options, but if you have local trusts they’re likely to run their own services.
hairy vx220 said:
that sounds like a good option - can you post the link please
Oops!https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depre...
Edit - The wife’s just got home, it was independent age that she does the calls through. You apply online, complete a telephone interview and then have online and telephone training before they partner you with someone. She’s not done it long but going well so far.
Edited by bristolbaron on Wednesday 4th December 21:23
ds in my village are always looking for other noisy bbristolbaron said:
My wife signed up to a befriending service, she chats to an elderly person on the phone once a week. Generally stuff, what they’ve both been up to etc, just someone to talk to.
She also takes the kids to a monthly play session in an old people’s home, the elderly residents love it and it gets them up and about.
Here’s an NHS link about befriending options, but if you have local trusts they’re likely to run their own services.
What a lovely thing to do. Especially taking the kids to a home, I bet the oldies love the kids and the kids get spoilt.She also takes the kids to a monthly play session in an old people’s home, the elderly residents love it and it gets them up and about.
Here’s an NHS link about befriending options, but if you have local trusts they’re likely to run their own services.
www.do-it.org provides details of all sorts of volunteering roles. You can select areas of work that you're interested in and also indicate the type of work that you'd like to do.
I've volunteered for the past 5 years for a number of charities - a domestic abuse outreach service, which provides support, mentoring, legal support, refuge and a kids club; a mentoring service for ex-offenders and people on parole/serving suspended sentences - offering support, advice, befriending, mentoring etc; and finally I tried to provide sheltered accommodation for young homeless people who fell outside the remit of local authority housing provision - however, the system was badly organised and the lack of coordination with social services and LA meant that providers (such as myself) got well and truly messed around, so it never happened.
The roles that I have done have been massively rewarding, however, for people going through a difficult time, just an hour or so a week of conversation, a walk in the park, a cuppa somewhere can make a huge difference to their wellbeing. It puts your own issues into perspective too.
I've volunteered for the past 5 years for a number of charities - a domestic abuse outreach service, which provides support, mentoring, legal support, refuge and a kids club; a mentoring service for ex-offenders and people on parole/serving suspended sentences - offering support, advice, befriending, mentoring etc; and finally I tried to provide sheltered accommodation for young homeless people who fell outside the remit of local authority housing provision - however, the system was badly organised and the lack of coordination with social services and LA meant that providers (such as myself) got well and truly messed around, so it never happened.
The roles that I have done have been massively rewarding, however, for people going through a difficult time, just an hour or so a week of conversation, a walk in the park, a cuppa somewhere can make a huge difference to their wellbeing. It puts your own issues into perspective too.
heisthegaffer said:
What a lovely thing to do. Especially taking the kids to a home, I bet the oldies love the kids and the kids get spoilt.
The kids absolutely love it! (3&4) every weekend they ask if they can go and see the elderly. We then have to take them to the grandparents where there’s less cake 
There was a programme about it going back a while, the health benefits for the pensioners is amazing - more active, mentally stimulating and helps with dementia. I hope more homes get on board with it!
bristolbaron said:
The kids absolutely love it! (3&4) every weekend they ask if they can go and see the elderly. We then have to take them to the grandparents where there’s less cake
There was a programme about it going back a while, the health benefits for the pensioners is amazing - more active, mentally stimulating and helps with dementia. I hope more homes get on board with it!
Brilliant. Everyone's a winner. There was a programme about it going back a while, the health benefits for the pensioners is amazing - more active, mentally stimulating and helps with dementia. I hope more homes get on board with it!
bristolbaron said:
hairy vx220 said:
that sounds like a good option - can you post the link please
Oops!https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depre...
Edit - The wife’s just got home, it was independent age that she does the calls through. You apply online, complete a telephone interview and then have online and telephone training before they partner you with someone. She’s not done it long but going well so far.
Edited by bristolbaron on Wednesday 4th December 21:23
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff