Do you volunteer?

I volunteer at a local musical theatre group I’ve even had a tiny part in two shows. I love it, it’s very sociable and upbeat.

I volunteer at a women’s support charity. It’s a local charity ( ie not national) and offers a safe space for any woman who may need our services - all foc.

I came to volunteer the week after I retired ten years ago. I didn’t want to do nothing after a busy career. It’s been a great way of making friends and feeling that I’ve made a difference. I currently do two half days a week at the drop in sessions but have had lots of other roles in the past.

If you have the time and the energy I heartily recommend volunteering in some form.

I volunteer once a week at a foodbank kitchen in Poplar, East London run by Felix which has now merged with FareShare. We do some food prep work, but most of the cooking is done by chefs and our job is to assist the staff to pack up and send out about 5,000 meals a day. The food comes from every source including the big supermarkets, often in very good nick, and is saved from landfill. We're on our feet and working furiously but then we get an interesting lunch which could feature anything that has come in in the last few days.
I love it because feel I'm doing a little to help people who can't afford to feed themselves, and the staff and other volunteers are from every background and every age which makes for lively fun. I'm in my fourth year of helping out.

I volunteer, and have done for many years. My principle volunteering now is that my daughter and I run a support group for people living with the rare neuro condition that I have. We give support on the phone, by email, through the facebook page that we run, and with face to face meetings - now the only f2f meetings in the UK for people with the condition. We work well together. We have also joined the society committee (which is very small) and play an active part in that. I write a bi-monthly newsletter, and have recently set up a funded partnership with another charity who provide specialised online exercise classes which are being well received. It means that our members get an very affordable exercise program and a bit of social interaction too. it is very satisfying.

I volunteer as an education ast at our local museum. School book in classes to learn about a period in history eg local woollen industry Saxons and vikings etc and I take a group at a time to look at period objects make a craft item eg Viking broach etc. it’s varied and fun. I also volunteer to arrange and teach craft afternoon at my WI.

dogsmother

Children’s centre in the crèche, babies from six weeks and all preschool. I love it. I would do Samaritans but I couldn’t entertain a paedophile calling in, I’m afraid I’ve zero tolerance.

My sister did two years, as a volunteer, answering calls to Childline. She became very fed up with the increasing number of men who thought it was hilarious to prank call. She could often hear their drunk mates laughing in the background.

I volunteer in our village library and love it

I was on the PTA for my children’s primary school and I used to help out listening to children reading . I also volunteered at my dc youth drama group . Making costumes and sets and working backstage during the performances .
Now I’m retired I volunteer at a charity shop . I do one afternoon a week . I love it and would do more but I’m a carer for my mum. I’ve meet some lovely people and often meet school mums from way back , usually buying toys and books for their dgc .

I love volunteering. I was an adviser and trainer for Citizens Advice for 15 years and loved it. worked with a delightful team and greatly enjoyed helping people with their problems, I really miss it now. . I also helped to take over our village library as a community library and also manned the desk. I have had to give up due to failing eyesight but still help with the running of our village hall and have done so since the eighties.
Volunteering is so good, you meet new people , learn new skills and, if you are in the right placement, get tremendous satisfaction without the responsibility and restrictions of work.

Children’s centre in the crèche, babies from six weeks and all preschool. I love it. I would do Samaritans but I couldn’t entertain a paedophile calling in, I’m afraid I’ve zero tolerance.

I used to run an organisation that had around 1,000 volunteers in many different areas like meals on wheels, friendly visiting, transport to doctors and hospitals, running groups for disadvantaged people etc etc. When I retired I volunteered with our local police force looking after welfare of frail and isolated people. Now I just serve on various committees and organise speakers for groups, run an ancestry group and help organise outings for us older people. After I left work I vowed never to volunteer for anything ever again but somehow it didn’t work out that way ….

I have volunteered in a charity shop for 10 years (a couple of years after I took early retirement). I only do 3 hours a week, so it doesn't interfere with my retirement social life and my busy time helping out with our 4 grandchildren; but when that peters out as they grow up, I'll up my hours. I really enjoy it and am good friends with the ladies I work along side. Also, I just love a bargain! I have bought some lovely things over the years and never fail to be amazed at some of the beautiful items that are donated.

Reading volunteer. I started by volunteering at the school where I used to teach, but they seem to forget that they weren’t paying me anymore, and added little extra jobs.
So now I volunteer at the local primary school. I occasionally do back up in the school office there too. It’s very rewarding.

I volunteered for the Citizens Advice Bureau, until my divorce and the need to find a ‘proper job’…..

emmasnan

I work as a helpline volunteer, supporting parents of babies that cry excessively or have sleep problems.
Very rewarding and I talk to some lovely parents.

I could have done with one of those 55 years ago 😩

Have always volunteered. Tawny Owl many years ago, very active in what was then the Pre school playgroups Association. Then 14 years with the Alzheimers Association , main role befriending but was involved with many other areas of the Association. Very much like kittylester.
Sadly I am now sitting on the other side of the fence and doing the very best I can to support my DH who has Alzheimers. My volunteering taught me so much and gave me a sound understanding of the disease. However now it is so close to home I have a much deeper understanding of the complexities of Alzheimers Disease.
Volunteering in what ever area you choose will be very rewarding! Think about how much time you can spare and what interests you. Listening to children read in school , helping in a charity shop. There are so many opportunities and I am sure you will be valued where ever you go. Good luck !

Charity shop once a week, though at the moment I'm not due to pulling my back out lifting the hoover.

I coordinate volunteer drivers with clients who are registered with us requiring lifts to various medical appointments. I work one day a week from home, there are spreadsheet updates and lots of telephone calls.
I enjoy it.

I volunteer at our local hospice both with patients and families and as a volunteer staff coach. One is out of my comfort zone and very rewarding and one is utilising skills and experience to offer something that charities can't afford to pay for! I enjoy my volunteering.

Sorry volunteer, not work.

I work as a helpline volunteer, supporting parents of babies that cry excessively or have sleep problems.
Very rewarding and I talk to some lovely parents.

I was a Samaritan for 23 years.

I volunteer at a local amateur theatre, as a steward on Front of House each month when we stage a week long production. We have a large membership so I usually only have to help once during the run. I also go once a week to help with the props - cleaning, tidying, sorting, etc.

Currently, we are staging Yes, Prime Minister in which I have a very minor rôle but it is not compulsory to tread the boards. We couldn’t strut our stuff without the willing band of volunteers who support with sound, light, set building, coffee shop, bar, wardrobe, props, stage management and prompt!

It’s a great organisation of which to be part and I’ve made good friends since joining. We are lucky to have our own premises in a converted church. Most places have amdram or musical theatre groups and are always glad to have volunteers to help when they stage their shows. 🎭🎤🎟️🎶

I volunteer for a large local charity that provides support to people from all backgrounds who find themselves in personal crisis. I volunteer in the donations centre where we receive and sort a huge pile of goods every day which have to be checked for safety and clothes washed and ironed.I only do one session a week but love the interaction with the other volunteers and with the general public.

Currently not volunteering as we have moved house. I did go down to the local Museum, but found the work offered very boring and not well organised.

I was a volunteer Home Advisor with Age Concern (now Age UK) for 10 years, Before that I and a friend ran an activity club once a month for a charity we both worked with, I was on the PTA when my children were at school. I have served on the committee of several special interest groups organising activities and through one I served on the local Liaison Committee at the local power station.