Volunteering - Does anyone here do it?

I'm in the RAF and volunteering or "secondary" duties as we call them are encouraged.

Where i can; i volunteer for charity work,(Mainly millitary charities) on weekends or in work time. I also help out air cadets in the local area (though those oppurtunities are few and far between) . Keeps me busy, keeps me motivated & ofcourse i get bonus points from work!

I also went through the recuitment process for the Samaraitans, it looked like a really good oppurunity. Though i couldn't really see myself juggling such a huge responsibility with all of my primary duties.
 
My wife is on the Parish council which is a volunteer position and we both volunteer to produce our village's neighbourhood plan.

I used to work in the Third sector and charities are crying out for people to volunteer their real world skills. For example they'd much rather a solicitor volunteer some pro-bono support or join the board of trustees than go paint a village hall. That's why I sort out the websites for local groups - easy for me but unfathomable to most people and they really appreciate it because otherwise it wouldn't happen.

Using your nautical/engineering skills sounds like a great way to volunteer. Some years ago this always used to be a great source for opportunities: http://timebank.org.uk/
 
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The_Abyss said:
I've got my training course booked in September to start volunteering with SERV http://www.servsc.org.uk, delivering blood and other essential medical supplies at night. Looking forward to it, and the unsociable hours mean that it is mostly compatible with office hours work.
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That sounds brilliant. I imagine you need a fair few years of riding under your belt though and your own bike?

What are the details of the training course?

EDIT: Found some details on the different roles available and requirements for the South London branch of SERV http://www.servssl.org.uk/volunteer/
 
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I've been volunteering for Age UK for the last 5 years. Several times a week I help run an IT drop in which offers support for the elderly regarding IT. I help solve problems people have using devices ranging from laptops, printers, cameras, smart phones, tablets, basically anything digital.

Very rewarding experience. I must have helped hundreds of people over the years.
 
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The_Abyss said:
I've got my training course booked in September to start volunteering with SERV http://www.servsc.org.uk, delivering blood and other essential medical supplies at night. Looking forward to it, and the unsociable hours mean that it is mostly compatible with office hours work.
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Sounds like they need extra controllers as well as riders according to this blog post.

http://www.servssl.org.uk/how-could-you-serv/

They had 4 riders and a driver on standby one night last month, but not controllers so they couldn't operate :(

I'm surprised some of the riders aren't cross trained so they could change up their roll on a specific night based on requirements. Seems a shame to have 5 drivers on standby, but none able to fill in as a controller. I might get in touch to find out more about helping out.
 
Dark_Injection said:
I voluteered for 6 months in Germany and now im volunteering in a school in the Himalayas and have been here for 6 months already.

If your life can do it or your like me and enjoy finding different ways to travel the world, then why not.

Oh also i didnt find mine on the net, but i know a website people have used.

http://helpx.net
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Interesting, what did you do in Germany / doing now in the Himalayas? always wonder how people like you find these kinds of opportunities, I wanted to do something similar last year.
 
FF and I help out at the local winter night shelter, he sleeps over and I help out in the kitchen.

Our church only runs it during Oct - March though. No idea what happens after that :/

I have also volunteered with environmental organisations - cutting back foliage in Richmond Park - hard work but fun!

There is also a scheme run by Oasis Academy Southbank, more of a mentor's lunch. You go along every Friday and the kids serve you lunch, you basically talk about your career. Want to get back into that at some point.

BB x
 
The Funktopus said:
I thought I'd start a thread on the subject of volunteering, and was wondering whether anyone here did it? In essence, my job means I'm at work for typically 13 weeks at a time, then on leave for about 10-11, meaning I have some time on my hands.
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I know a certain rugby league club could do with some more volunteers (and I don't mean on the pitch :D)

I volunteer as a Community First Responder for South Central in Reading. It used to take up around 40 hours a month but now I've moved groups I do a bit less.

I find it really rewarding to feel like I'm helping people, even if most of the time we are just there to hold their hand until the crew arrive.
 
I've been volunteering for a couple of years now at my local silver surfers helping the elderly learn computers/smart phones/tablet PCs etc, and getting on the Internet. Very rewarding and get to know some very nice people too.
Also volunteer for a disability charity nearby as well. Having had some past personal experience myself helps to empathise with their situation but if you've got time and patience it's all you really need.
A good website to check out if you're looking for volunteering opportunities is https://do-it.org.
 
Reaper 392 said:
I've been volunteering at Battersea dogs and cats home for the past couple of months and have been really enjoying it so far. There are loads of different roles you can volunteer for, but I went for being a cattery support volunteer. My main job is to keep the cattery clean, the moggies fed and generally help out the full time staff wherever I can, and once that is all sorted I get to socialise with some of the cats, which is always great.
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rolling in pussy
 
I don't volunteer regularly but I did participate in a cleanup of the Cleveland Pools a couple of weeks ago. It was fun but I don't think I could give up that much time regularly.
 
I volunteer for GLASS and the TRF in improving rights of way.
Clear vegetation, put in waymarker posts and signs, repair and rebuild eroded ones.
 
I was recently turned down for a volunteering role as I was told lone(r) volunteers are not permitted. All volunteers must be accompanied by two members of staff at all times, and groups go out in teams of 10 or so. And the staff members have to be qualified first aiders and yadda, yadda.

It was an ourdoorsy naturist role. 'Elf and safety don't permit volunteers to work alone, in case they get attacked by man-eating squirrels, or something.
 
FoxEye said:
I was recently turned down for a volunteering role as I was told lone(r) volunteers are not permitted. All volunteers must be accompanied by two members of staff at all times, and groups go out in teams of 10 or so. And the staff members have to be qualified first aiders and yadda, yadda.

It was an ourdoorsy naturist role. 'Elf and safety don't permit volunteers to work alone, in case they get attacked by man-eating squirrels, or something.
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