Volunteering - how do I go about it?

Have a look on here... http://www.do-it.org.uk/

Either for ideas that are near you, or if you really aren't sure the details of your local volunteering centre should be on there- if you get in touch with them, you can meet up with them for a chat and to talk through what you are interseted in, and they'll find you something good!

I second www.do-it.org.uk but if you do find somehing you would like to do, contact the organisation directly (if you can) rather than through the contact system as I've never found it to be very reliable (although it may have changed!)

It's a great site for inspiration, even if it just sets of a little light when you see something you might like to do and you can look into individual organisations.

I hope you find something soon!

Age concern? I work in a centre for the elderly and we have volunteers who do all kinds of things to help us out. They take lunch orders, serve tea and coffee and serve lunch. Most of our volunteers work one morning or afternoon a week.

We appreciate volunteers so much, if it wasn't for them we wouldn't be able to do our work ?

Thanks all, have registered with the do it org but not much in my area only collection people and I dont particularly want to do that but will keep checking.

Sleepy - wouldnt mind that with Age Concern, I think I would quite like helping the elderly. Will have a look

Special constable? or is that a bit too hands on?

IS this any help? http://www.volunteering-wales.net/index.html (going by your profile location)

There are so many different things you can do within a charity, pick one close to your heart and I'm sure you'll find somehting. In a well established charity, there is collecting/shops, ad-hoc volunteering/fundraising, behind the scenes, people facing (working with the people the charity supports). There really is lots of scope. Smaller oppprtunities can include volunteering in residential homes/schools/community schemes directly. Do you have a "skill" that you would like to use? Knitting, hairdressing, crafts, good reader, good typist/organiser, baker...?

To maybe give you an idea, in the past, I have worked with:

Radio Lollipop, a radio station for children in hospital. I started as a ward volunteer and within months was involved with fundraiser and also presented a show at one point. I ended up as "Honorary Fundraiser" (poncy title ?) on the management team, where I was in charge of organising all fundraising events and beneficiaries. I was starting to work nationally when I had to leave, I still miss it dreadfully.

Marie Curie, as a volunteer receptionist at first (the only post available, so not my thing!) and then as a fundraiser, mainly being involved with fundraising events. I was offered a (paid) permanent role but my health wasn't up to it.

Church things, including fundraising committies, drama group, cross faith group, Lourdes groups (going out to Lourdes for a week to work in a hospital) and representing our diocese nationally.

I love volunteering, I can't rate it highly enough. It's amazing how quickly you can move up the ranks if you want to and that is such a good thing to have on your cv and for your own confidence. It's wonderful to feel valued. I've never actually had a paid job. ?

I need to find something to do but my health has been so unpredictable for the last couple of years that I've not wanted to take on something as I have a dreadful fear of letting people down (which I'm getting help with at the moment! ?) I am knitting premature baby clothes at the moment so at least I feel like I'm doing something.

No thats a bit too energetic compared to what I am looking for ?

Thanks Mrs Magic - will have a look at the link. You have been really busy with your volunteering havent you? And I bet you have been really appreciated for it as well. Well done to you

Sorry, I've read that back and sound like the class swot. ? I was just trying to let you know some of the things out there. I've enjoyed it all and it really has enriched me. Thank you. ?

I hope you find something to love as much as I have. You can pretty much do anything you like as charities/groups will snap you up if you are offering to do something regularly for free!

I've just been looking locally to me for some ideas (for myself) and wondered if this was the kind of thing you might like to do? You could probably contact any nursing home for a similar role in your town.

Volunteers required to befriend and chat to our elderly residents, assist with activities such as craft work, quizzes, bingo etc, and to run our mobile shop once or twice a week. Volunteers can also accompany residents on shopping trips and outings in the community. Good experience for those seeking a career in social work/nursing. Flexible hours according to your availability, volunteers needed any afternoons/evenings.

We deliver high quality nursing and social care to 50 elderly frail residents who live in our home.

No qualifications required, just friendliness, willingness to chat, and caring nature.

Five minutes walk from Roby Train Station, situated off Woodlands Road which is situated off Western Avenue. Ten minutes walk from Huyton Village Centre.

• Monday: Afternoon , Evening
• Tuesday: Afternoon , Evening
• Wednesday: Afternoon , Evening
• Thursday: Afternoon , Evening
• Friday: Afternoon , Evening
• Saturday: Afternoon , Evening
• Sunday: Afternoon , Evening

Yes that is something I am looking at. I quite like the befriending idea and playing games/chatting etc.

I had a look at your link and they have some opportunities in a couple of local nursing homes and have also contacted age concern so fingers crossed something will come up.

I am willing to give 3-4 hours a week - do you think thats not going to be enough though? I am worried they wont take me now!

I am a volunteer counsellor for a local diability charity and I love it!!

You could also have a look at this website;

http://www.navca.org.uk/liodir

3-4 hours is perfect. It's likely you would be asked to do either one whole morning or afternoon, or 2 shorter slots. At Marie Curie, it was 4 hours as I needed to man reception but at Lollipop, it was 2 hours. It became substantially more in time but that was completely my choice. The volunteers who were there for 2 hours plus a couple of roadshows were no less involved than the people who gave more hours.

I teally hope you get some positve news soon, I'm sure they'll snap you up. If you would like any help with applying, let me know as I'll be happy to help. Interviewing (not at all formal so dont worry) new volunteers was part of my role when I was on the management team at Lollipop. ?

Edited as I'm half asleep. ?

I have volunteered at my local hospital for the radio which was good fun but my main volunteering has been for the Samaritans. I have done two "stints" for them - one for four years, and one for one year.

The Samaritans are always looking for volunteers to answer the telephones to callers in crisis or meet callers face-to-face. Some branches offer a befriending in the open type thing - for example, Nottingham Samaritans support Nottingham Prison and provide both a counselling role to prisoners, as well as training prisoners to be listeners.

The commitment, after initial training, is usually one shift a week plus an overnight once a month.

Also, most branches have a fundraising arm - Friends of Samaritans - for those that want to support, but dont want to answer the telephones.

Good luck.