Volunteering

[Fred!]

I'm meant to be having a meeting on wednesday to discuss having someone support me to go and do some volunteering. I don't know how much support, or whatever... but I think ideally, it would be someone to come with me for the initial asking about it, and then maybe for the first hour or so of the first couple of times I go to volunteer.

Thing is, I live rurally, and I have no idea what sort of volunteering that I could do. My list so far consists of: 1. Charity shops, 2. Listening to kids read in local schools, 3. Local animal shelter.

I'm looking for other options, to have more options, or possibly have something extra to add to my volunteering in a few months. Unfortunately, I was helping at a local youth club, but a family problem has meant that I can no longer help there.

So, any ideas for volunteering possibilities would be awesome. And maybe peoples' experiences volunteering with anxiety and depression. Also, what do you tell the people at the 'workplace' about 'problems'?

Um... Thanks

[random.swirls]

I'm about to head to bed but I you google do it it will bring up a whole list of volunteer opportunities in your area!

[Aubergine]

http://www.do-it.org.uk

Great for showing you what's available in your area.

I've done a lot of volunteering over the years, mainly with people who are homeless, but more recently I've been branching out and I'm currently volunteering at a support group for people with cancer.

What do I tell people about my issues? Not much. I tell the person in charge basic details, such as diagnosis and how it affects me. I tell the people I'm supporting nothing - they don't need to know and it wouldn't be professional.

I've never encountered any problems when telling supervisors. They've always been supportive, I suspect because a lot of people with MH difficulties volunteer as a stepping stone to paid work.

Go for it. It's so rewarding. :)

[Fred!]

I have used do-it, but the only things it's got on there around here are charity shops and a youth radio station that I don't want to help with :/
I'm definitely going to do it, just got to find the right thing to do.

[ceapach]

Food pantry?

[Fred!]

I have picked up an application form from a local charity shop, and I'm thinking of contacting the local animal shelter, and start by doing 4 or so hours a week in each to begin with.

[zombiehunter]

hey there I do voluntary work myself, and I got into volunteering with the charity I'm in because I did their six month personal programme and one of the options afterwards was to stay on as a volunteer so see if there are any similar charities in your area plus don't be afraid to look to orinisations outside your area as they may be able to arrange transport/pay transport expenses for you

[KitOKeefe]

Start your own thing, maybe. Find an elderly person you can assist or visit? Pick up trash? Make things for people who need them?