What volunteering do you do?

[glasgowcyclist]

I get far more than I give.

This is something I did not expect and is so true, to the extent that I feel almost guilty at times!
There are days I go home on the bus with a huge smile and a deep sense of happiness and well-being.

I think the biggest lesson for me is the power of even a small act of kindness. It’s surprisingly powerful and effective in promoting trust and friendship, especially in people who likely have been abused and exploited for months, even years, in their journey here.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Nothing at the moment, albeit not for the want of trying by approaching a couple of organisations that might be able to use my skills. The apathy was overwhelming, which I confess was a little dismaying.

 

[Punkawallah]

I put in a shift most Mondays with my FLBS out of enlightened self interest. I get to learn stuff and they get to point at a BSO and say “make it work” with a fair chance of success. It also means I get to do my ‘good deed’ early in the week, which means I can be a complete swine the rest of it.

 

[Punkawallah]

Nothing at the moment, albeit not for the want of trying by approaching a couple of organisations that might be able to use my skills. The apathy was overwhelming, which I confess was a little dismaying.

I feel your pain. Try getting a charity to take on your house as a ‘going concern’ to house homeless veterans on your death. No inclination to overcome obstacles and ‘make it work’.

 

[FrankCrank]

We've helped out at quite a few English camps here over the years. A weekend of this can be totally exhausting, but very satisfying as well.
The students are usually in their final year before going off to work, so we try to make it a little academic, but mostly fun.
Quite often when out and about I'm referred to as teacher Frank by some of the younger locals, which is nice.

 

[All uphill]

Sounds rewarding, interesting and mind-opening.

How do you find out / hear about openings for volunteers ?

The library is a good starting point too.

 

[DaveReading]

I've taught English, ESOL and Maths to adults on and off for the last 40-odd years, and still do.

More recently I've started helping out with sessions at a couple of the local libraries for (mostly senior) people who need help using phones, tablets and computers.

I did help for a while at the local bike kitchen, but got a bit disillusioned at how many clients weren't at all interested in learning how to maintain their bikes, they just wanted something fixed for free. The organisers were a bit up themselves, too, so I never felt particularly comfortable there.

My most interesting vol job was looking after witnesses attending trials at the local Crown Court - that was a real eye-opener as to the workings of the Criminal Justice system, and to how stressful appearing in court can be to many people. Sadly, when the service was taken over by Citizens Advice, they decided to fire our superb local manager, so almost all the volunteers quit in protest.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Hmmm
reminds me that I should have another look around and see if there is anything locally

When I stopepd work and everything calmed down at home (illnesses etc etc) then I helped out with IT stuff at a local museum
and ended up helping out with 1 - sometimes 2 - other volunteers that needed some looking after
when my Mother-in-Law died I had to give up as I was ferrying people too and from the hospital and stuff (I was magically the only one with time!!!)
Then I had to help organise the funeral and all that
and then lockdown happened so that all stoped
after the pandemic the museum we being run differently so there was no vacancies for volunteering
so I I started help out at somewhere else
eventually I started helping out with IT stuff at the local Food Bank - but basically they don't need me much

I have helped out at a few places but it has just been short term

for the last couple of years I have had trouble finding anything do help out with that I fancy (I don't like getting to close to people at time!)

I must start having another look around

 

[Salad Dodger]

In my youth I was very involved in running a local car club, and did a lot of (volunteer) marshalling.

After our daughter was born, I walked away from the car club, but after a few years I got heavily into kayaking and open canoeing, and became an instructor for the local canoe club. All voluntary......

Now happily retired, I was a volunteer helper for our local folk week, but no longer volunteer as I got drawn into being a musician and got busy playing there instead.

But Mrs Salad and I do organise a walking group, once a week, which was set up by a charity supporting local retired folk. The lady that ran it could not continue, so we have taken it on and we get around 15/20 people each week going for a walk, and just as importantly, a chance to talk together. We have been honoured to get a Queens Award for Voluntary Service for it......

 

[stephec]

Forgot to mention earlier, I'm now the welfare officer of my running club.

 

[All uphill]

Some of the contributions here remind me that, like all community activities, there is a huge variety of opportunities and finding a good fit is important.

I volunteered in the local theatre a while back. It was such a poor fit - I like quiet activities in small groups, hate drama and crowds. What was I thinking of?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Some of the contributions here remind me that, like all community activities, there is a huge variety of opportunities and finding a good fit is important.

I volunteered in the local theatre a while back. It was such a poor fit - I like quiet activities in small groups, hate drama and crowds. What was I thinking of?

You'd be safe from these at a local theatre, I'd have thought ☺️

 

[tyred]

During the six months or so when I was between jobs in 2016, I volunteered for all sorts of things and kept myself busy.

I continue to volunteer for the local arts festival and other related events. It is something I enjoy being involved in and I've been doing it so long now that I'm almost part of the fixtures and fittings.

I still receive the monthly email from the group that organise most of the volunteering opportunities throughout the county and often have a look to see if there is anything else I could volunteer for but most opportunities seem to be when I'm at work.

 

[sevenfourate]

I still receive the monthly email from the group that organise most of the volunteering opportunities throughout the county

Who is this Group / Organisation please ?

 

[tyred]

Who is this Group / Organisation please ?

Donegal Volunteering.