Volunteering...
Discussion
I have some spare time - not a lot, maybe a couple of evenings per week and the occasional Sunday.
I would like to spend some of this time doing some volunteering work in the local area, however, I don't know where to start.
I live in the Brighton area. Any advice on where to look? I've found many websites for overseas full-time volunteer work, but not much for UK only.
ETA: I work in a school for my day job, and therefore am fully CRB Cleared etc.
I would like to spend some of this time doing some volunteering work in the local area, however, I don't know where to start.
I live in the Brighton area. Any advice on where to look? I've found many websites for overseas full-time volunteer work, but not much for UK only.
ETA: I work in a school for my day job, and therefore am fully CRB Cleared etc.
Edited by Merlot on Saturday 2nd January 17:09
Good for you, I don't but a close friend does, and gets much benefit out of giving up her own time.
Have a look here:
www.do-it.org.uk/
www.volunteering.org.uk/
http://vinspired.com/ (but is for 16-25 y/olds)
Have a look here:
www.do-it.org.uk/
www.volunteering.org.uk/
http://vinspired.com/ (but is for 16-25 y/olds)
You probably have a local volunteer hub as we do in Lincoln which has vacancies for various roles, but ultimatly it depends what you enjoy doing and want to do. I have done a lot of volunteering in the past and it has lead me into some great jobs. I also managed a team volunteers for a local access centre who did anything from help in the cafe, run art classes, organise local events in the park we were based, teach and support people with learning computers and maths in English.
I would also like to be a LIVES volunteer or for CAB but I just don't have the time now.
I also did a bit volunteering for Womens Aid, and set up and ran a preschool on voluntary basis when my lad was young.
You can do a lot of things so I would start with what you fancy doing first and start from there.
Really is a rewarding thing to do you can gain valuable skills and experience and also meet some great people.
I would also like to be a LIVES volunteer or for CAB but I just don't have the time now.
I also did a bit volunteering for Womens Aid, and set up and ran a preschool on voluntary basis when my lad was young.
You can do a lot of things so I would start with what you fancy doing first and start from there.
Really is a rewarding thing to do you can gain valuable skills and experience and also meet some great people.
Do you have a particualr skill? Or do you have a particular interest? My son did some volunteering for a charity, Scope, and whilst those he worked with were all well intentioned, there was a certain lack of expertise in vital areas.
You can help out with such organisations as the Salvation Army without having to go to church or even be religious. Whilst you might think they just play music at Christmas and rattle collecting tins, the work they do for those no one else gives a damn about is tremendous. When a policeman I had to deal with people who there was no real welfare help for. After exhausting all the state and church supposedly caring organisations I've always found the Sally Ann willing to help.
I take my hat off to them.
You can help out with such organisations as the Salvation Army without having to go to church or even be religious. Whilst you might think they just play music at Christmas and rattle collecting tins, the work they do for those no one else gives a damn about is tremendous. When a policeman I had to deal with people who there was no real welfare help for. After exhausting all the state and church supposedly caring organisations I've always found the Sally Ann willing to help.
I take my hat off to them.
I live in Brighton and am going to do some volunteering after Feb 
I searched before and found some pretty good websites that are local. Not sure if it is still there but Community Base was on Queens Rd (near station) and was a central hub of info.
I found loads of interesting things, stuff like helping out at the gardens in Stanmer Park among others. It's bedtime for me now but I was planning on doing some searching tomorrow so could post or pm anything I find if you like?
I searched before and found some pretty good websites that are local. Not sure if it is still there but Community Base was on Queens Rd (near station) and was a central hub of info.
I found loads of interesting things, stuff like helping out at the gardens in Stanmer Park among others. It's bedtime for me now but I was planning on doing some searching tomorrow so could post or pm anything I find if you like?
FastLaneGirl said:
I live in Brighton and am going to do some volunteering after Feb
I searched before and found some pretty good websites that are local. Not sure if it is still there but Community Base was on Queens Rd (near station) and was a central hub of info.
I found loads of interesting things, stuff like helping out at the gardens in Stanmer Park among others. It's bedtime for me now but I was planning on doing some searching tomorrow so could post or pm anything I find if you like?
That would be very kind of you if you could let me know any information you find. Cheers.I searched before and found some pretty good websites that are local. Not sure if it is still there but Community Base was on Queens Rd (near station) and was a central hub of info.
I found loads of interesting things, stuff like helping out at the gardens in Stanmer Park among others. It's bedtime for me now but I was planning on doing some searching tomorrow so could post or pm anything I find if you like?
Depends what you like doing. I volunteer with my local canal society, to keep the derelict canal I grew up near in a presentable, and ultimately restorable state. We're just waiting now for an old building to come down, and we can refill another 500 yard section of canal with water.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Bolton_%26...
Its all shovelling and cutting down trees, but its good fun and tiring work. Better than going to a gym.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Bolton_%26...
Its all shovelling and cutting down trees, but its good fun and tiring work. Better than going to a gym.
^ This.
You can either serve as a civilian instructor at most of the cadet forces (e.g. in the Air Training Corps you could help teach fieldcraft, radio communications, IT, aviation-related stuff) or you could join the volunteer reserves and get some training of your own before passing on knowledge. You would get paid, but would require additional weekends due to training commitments and you would be liable to be called up if WW3 started (just after they've mobilised the BB and the Brownies ).
You can either serve as a civilian instructor at most of the cadet forces (e.g. in the Air Training Corps you could help teach fieldcraft, radio communications, IT, aviation-related stuff) or you could join the volunteer reserves and get some training of your own before passing on knowledge. You would get paid, but would require additional weekends due to training commitments and you would be liable to be called up if WW3 started (just after they've mobilised the BB and the Brownies
).Annoyingly you need a fresh CRB with every different organisation that you work for.
One of my previous employers had a bank of volunteers with such a diverese range of skills. From classical musicians and accountants to computer programmers, all of whom gave their time to help adults with learning disabilities (which obviously required an enhanced CRB check).
It was extremely beneficial and worthwhile - both for the volunteers who stayed in work, when out of work... and also the organisation which was able to offer a more varied range activities than it would otherwise have been able to do.
Good for you.
One of my previous employers had a bank of volunteers with such a diverese range of skills. From classical musicians and accountants to computer programmers, all of whom gave their time to help adults with learning disabilities (which obviously required an enhanced CRB check).
It was extremely beneficial and worthwhile - both for the volunteers who stayed in work, when out of work... and also the organisation which was able to offer a more varied range activities than it would otherwise have been able to do.
Good for you.
parakitaMol. said:
Annoyingly you need a fresh CRB with every different organisation that you work for.
One of my previous employers had a bank of volunteers with such a diverese range of skills. From classical musicians and accountants to computer programmers, all of whom gave their time to help adults with learning disabilities (which obviously required an enhanced CRB check).
It was extremely beneficial and worthwhile - both for the volunteers who stayed in work, when out of work... and also the organisation which was able to offer a more varied range activities than it would otherwise have been able to do.
Good for you.
I 'work' for 3 volunteer organisations and the last 2 accepted the CRB arranged by the first.One of my previous employers had a bank of volunteers with such a diverese range of skills. From classical musicians and accountants to computer programmers, all of whom gave their time to help adults with learning disabilities (which obviously required an enhanced CRB check).
It was extremely beneficial and worthwhile - both for the volunteers who stayed in work, when out of work... and also the organisation which was able to offer a more varied range activities than it would otherwise have been able to do.
Good for you.
Glosphil said:
parakitaMol. said:
Annoyingly you need a fresh CRB with every different organisation that you work for.
One of my previous employers had a bank of volunteers with such a diverese range of skills. From classical musicians and accountants to computer programmers, all of whom gave their time to help adults with learning disabilities (which obviously required an enhanced CRB check).
It was extremely beneficial and worthwhile - both for the volunteers who stayed in work, when out of work... and also the organisation which was able to offer a more varied range activities than it would otherwise have been able to do.
Good for you.
I 'work' for 3 volunteer organisations and the last 2 accepted the CRB arranged by the first.One of my previous employers had a bank of volunteers with such a diverese range of skills. From classical musicians and accountants to computer programmers, all of whom gave their time to help adults with learning disabilities (which obviously required an enhanced CRB check).
It was extremely beneficial and worthwhile - both for the volunteers who stayed in work, when out of work... and also the organisation which was able to offer a more varied range activities than it would otherwise have been able to do.
Good for you.
I've worked in a full-time capacity for a university and two charities (marketing not working directly in contact with those groups) and each time I've been required to undergo a new check.
It would be useful and more cost effective for the organisations concerned if this wasn't the case, however it's not really much of a problem to me either way.
This was the site I used last time, good search with various options such as location or type of activity or the times you are available: http://www.communitybase.org/volunteersearch/
Good luck in your search
If you don't mind I'll drop you a PM as interested to hear what you're looking at doing
Good luck in your search
If you don't mind I'll drop you a PM as interested to hear what you're looking at doing aveyheks said:
I was going to do one of those in Dec when I had some time off but it was tricky to fit in and didn't end up doing it. But it still sounds interesting. Anyway done one, can tell us what it's like?Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff