Does anyone do Volunteer work?

[Macaroni]

I so what do you do ? How did you get into it? How much time do you spend doing it?

[Patti odoors]

I used to runn an Toddler Group or rather 2 groups at the local community centre. That led to me being on the committee of the community centre, and that ended up with me being there practically every day. Then we moved house and it was to far to continue. It was nice to have my own time back!:)

Now I just just do reading at my daughter's school. That has now spread though to working with one child 15 minutes a day, three times per week as well as monday and wednesday mornings when I stay and listen to 2 more classes read. This can finish anytime between 10.30 and 12 noon depending if the other mum that does the same thing is available as well.

Are you thinking of taking up good works then? There are so many to choose from and it is rewarding.

[sanjan]

I have done in the past when madam was younger.

I was volunteered to run the toddler group we went to (first I knew was that my name was mentioned when someone else was asked - there where 3 of us running it). I helped start up and fundraised for a toy Library and I volunteered to help in the local branch of the Anthony Nolan Charity shop.

No time now though

[trai]

I volunteer 2 afternoons a week at my kids school. I help out wherever the teacher needs it, runing activities listening to children read etc. I find it very rewarding and it helps the school.

[snowy1974]

I run my Brownie unit.

It takes up about 3 hours of my time in a normal week, with occasional trainings which gives me a Saturday away from home.

Ive always been in Guiding since I started Brownies,my mum and sis are also guiders so it just carried on from there. I was kinda dropped in the deep end after the other 2 guiders at our pack left so I took up the reins then.

The best way to get into this is by contacting GirlGuiding UK. We are desperately short of leaders and helpers atm especially in Rainows where people are now putting names on a list from birth.

[Katiequiggle]

When I was made redundant in 1992 I went to work as a volunteer at the Cancer Research Campaign and ended up a year later as a shop manager at working at different shops around London and Surrey until I stopped in 97 to have ds. I loved the work both as a volunteer and as a manager. It's changed alot since they were taken over (whoops, sorry, merged) with Imperial Cancer Research and I don't think I'd go back to work for them now. I'm vice chair of the PTA at the kids school now and I do some reading ect at school too but now I'm back working part time teaching and also setting up PoshDaisy I don't get a lot of time to myself.

Kate

[Jen]

I did meals on wheels for a number of years and loved it, I only did one morning a week and was quite sad when I had to give it up (had to run my playgroup for 5 day's not 3)
Apart from the pre-school I run along with a friend,we also volunteer one afternoon a week to dedicate it to the parent and toddlers.

If you want to do volunteer work why not check out the WRVS site, they are always looking for dedicated people.
http://www.wrvs.org.uk/

[Netty]

I volunteer to help at the kids school, and used to help out at a toddler group.

Dh helps with the Beavers pack - if he can't make a week, I go instead, and when dd is old enough for Rainbows, I may end up helping there too.

[Macaroni]

Thanks guys!!

I have registered with Time Bank (http://www.timebank.org.uk/) and got info for a couple of things, but I havent heard back from them yet.

I also enquired about Home Start (http://www.home-start.org.uk/) and although they got back to me and said I could join their 6 week training prog even though Id missed a week, it was a bit short notice.

The wrvs link looks interesting !

I really dont want to volunteer at the school, Ive been there done that in the past (listening to reading, taking IT lessons!!) and didnt really enjoy it.

Im looking for something to give me experience in a different field to what Ive worked in (retail) so when I do go back to work Ive something else to offer

[Patti odoors]

Good luck with that.:happy72:

[snowy1974]

My sis joined the time bank for our town and does work for the local hospice. She helps one morning a week doing admin work.