Health and social care is one of the largest volunteering sectors in the UK. This includes organisations like the NHS and charities which improve the wellbeing of people of all ages. So what do helpers actually get involved with? The opportunities are more diverse than we imagined as our bloggers reveal.

All | Sara | Jasmine | Dawn

« Previous month (Aug 2008) | Main | Next month (Oct 2008) »

Monday Sep 29, 2008

Finding the perfect partner!

 

As the majority of people know, good relationships are hard to find; there's a lot of false starts, sometimes one person wants it more than the other, and often you find that they're completely wrong for you! Well, in my opinion finding the perfect team to volunteer for isn't that different.

I spent a good year or so looking for the right opportunity. I didn't really want to commit to something that I wasn't 100% into; that when they asked 'can you do every Saturday evening?' I could say with confidence 'yes!' And some opportunities just didn't appeal to me, like mentoring kids – I feel quite bad admitting it but I just could not do that job, hats off to everyone that does! I nearly gave up on the whole volunteering thing altogether, and then two come along at once which I quite fancied!!

So...I am now (pending a CRB check and paperwork...) a volunteer at the Community Kitchens Project in Islington, it's a great little project at the Manor Gardens Centre in Holloway which I found through do-it.org.uk. The project works to promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles which leads to a reduction in heart disease, which is always good.

And then I hear that do-it.org.uk are looking for some bloggers! I've always been intrigued by this blogging malarkey so now I'm going to give it a proper go. I'm going to tell you all about the trials and tribulations of volunteering on a community health project, and I really want it to be interactive so please feel free to comment!

Bye for now,
Sara

 

Posted by Sara ( 11:32 AM )
Link to this post Comments[4]

Wednesday Sep 24, 2008

Terry Wogan wishes he was a hospital radio DJ!

I  recently designed an NHR t-shirt for wannabe DJ's and ex-members.  Terry Wogan's got his!!  Get yours HERE!

Posted by Dawn ( 5:17 PM )
Link to this post Comments[0]

Wednesday Sep 17, 2008

Go NHR!!

NHR members took part in the annual Robin Hood Half Marathon on Sunday and managed a time of just under three hours which doesn't sound very impressive....except they were pushing a hospital bed around the 13 mile course! 

As previously mentioned I should have been wearing a giant mouse suit.  This didn't happen for various reasons, the main one being that it smelled like the person who wore it before me had just done a marathon themselves!  Instead, the non-runners raided the linen department at the hopsital and got ourselves some "patient" outfits.  

 

Collecting money behind the runners...way behind the runners.

The finish line is in sight!  Go NHR! 

Working for NHR sometimes doesn't feel like much of a team effort but this weekend was an exception.  We definitely need to organise more events like this!

Posted by Dawn ( 6:46 PM )
Link to this post Comments[0]

Monday Sep 08, 2008

Six days to go...

...till the Robin Hood Half Marathon!

One of our biggest fundraising events of the year is taking place this Sunday.  NHR take part in the marathon every year and it's one of the few events that all members get involved in.  Fortunately I am not running!  Instead I will be wearing a giant mouse suit (which has been provided by Everyclick) and carrying a bucket around to collect as much money as possible!

 

Posted by Dawn ( 7:00 PM )
Link to this post Comments[0]