Alternative to Exam Invigilation.

I spent 5 years working once a week at a local Foodbank. It was good to feel I was doing something so useful. I enjoyed meeting the clients, and all the volunteers were cheerful and helpful. It was hard work, but I looked forward to it every week, and sad when I had to stop.

Primary schools are always on the look out for people to help in reception and year 1 and 2, helping with reading is always welcome. Also in the higher years of primary school it is nice to give talks about growing up in your era etc, showing skills such as seeing knitting. You can call into reception at any primary school and they will welcome you with open arms. You may need to get police clearance, depends if you could be alone with children or not, but the school would advice and sort it out for you. They can help with the paper work but may ask you to pay, l think a standard check is around £26, & an enhanced check is around £44....You will meet many people, could even help out in the office....You can choose how many days a wk you would like, it is upto you. You are a valued member of your community and l think it's wonderful to share your skills . I wish you well

We both belong to a scheme called Good Neighbours, they are national and match up those over the age of 50 who need transport for medical appointments with voluntary drivers.
I co ordinate the matches one day a week, MrJ is available to drive two days a week, expenses are paid for driving, otherwise it’s voluntary.

I’m an invigilator too and I know what you mean it can be so boring but money isn’t bad ! I’ve been looking too for a little job to earn a bit I’ve just seen a job for card merchandising so going to apply or might try holiday camps next season
Hard as you get older

I spent a few years invigilating GCSE and A level exams. Sometimes I was in the main hall ,and I agree with you that it is deadly boring, however most of the time I was in the library working with children with health issues or extreme anxiety etc.
A friend who worked with me occasionally had to go out to children who were disabled or seriously ill but still wanted to enter their exams. This was 6 years ago, things may have changed, but if you can find a school that needs that kind of help, it's much more rewarding than the halls !

Charity Shop volunteer
National trust volunteer
Teach adults to read
Local library will have plenty of information for you
Good lck

Scribbles

Is there a local primary school where volunteers are used to listen to children reading?

I love doing that. Prefer the younger age group though. Y5 and 6 are possibly less interesting. Teaching adults to read is also interesting.

I am an invigilator too. Apply to your local FE. Ask for the smaller groups or 1 to 1s, perhaps? I get reader/scribe roles. If you have a Uni nearby, it can be interesting learning a little about their subject.

While it is not frequent work, I also do the elections. A long day, but after 10 years, we get to speak to the same regulars.

Aveline When I used to do it I was paid travel expenses and a fee, either half day or full day. Breakfast and lunch were provided when we did exams but training days varied.

I'm a simulated patient for medical student training and exams. I'm sent my 'scenarios' a week before a session. The exams are hard. I have to concentrate hard to present the same medical history in the same way to up to 30 students. It's interesting though and always fun to catch up with the other 'sims'. No pay but shop vouchers if you want them plus good lunches and teas and taxi transport.

You could join an amateur drama society. You don't have to want to go on stage as there are loads of other things you can do to help and the people are usually very friendly.

If you do fancy acting you might be able to be a paid simulated patient and work with a GP school. Friends of mine do paid work as extras in films and TV.

Another friend of mine walks dogs for people out at work for pay and is also a volunteer walker for Dogs Trust.

I steward the old air raid shelter at a local museum. I've done it since I retired over 13 years ago.
I really enjoy meeting the visitors, some local and some from other parts of the world.
In one day, I had over 100 visitors of all ages. One came from Mongolia, four from China and one Italian.
I choose my hours and days to suit me.
One day a week I work as a volunteer with a local nature trust in the nearby forest.
It gets me out in the fresh air and our group leader bakes wonderful cakes.

If you like being outside the woodland trust always need volunteers as does heathland and woods .

Is there a local primary school where volunteers are used to listen to children reading?

Work at a museum or National Trust type place?

Thank you for sharing.

Well done, keeping quiet. I might do the same.

I have no suggestions, but as someone who has thought about exam invigilating I am realising it probably isn't for me.

Getting out of the house and having a bit of company is an elusive goal for me, but I have no doubt people will recommend joining groups etc...

Today I went on a magical mystery tour. I took a bus into town and decided to get on the next bus leaving the bus staion, wherever it took me. I have a free bus pass, and ended up in a nearby park with a cafe.

I exchanged the time of day with several people, and the four buses I caught all had an assortment of benign characters on them. I found it lifted my mood just realising the issues people face- a sick child, people with mobility issues, learning difficulties etc. There were even fishermen struggling get up and down the stairs with their fishing tackle!

The bus driver was very good humoured and clearly cared about her passengers.
It made me grateful for my good health. Maybe not what you wanted to know, but I'm offering it just the same.
I'm also planning to go on another 'mystery tour' soon...