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.

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Saturday Dec 13, 2008

A Christmas Miracle

I love working for a charity, but one of the main reasons I joined hospital radio initially was for the work experience - specifically to get the chance of doing my own show with the hope of getting into professional radio.  But for the year I've been at NHR I've discovered that I actually prefer the other side of what I do there - the fundraising, so I've recently been applying for jobs in this area.  I had an interview at Diabetes UK last week for a fundraising job, and got it! I wouldn't even have had a chance at getting an interview without the skills I've gained at NHR.  I graduated from uni over three years ago and thanks to my voluntary work it finally feels like I've discovered the right career path for me!

Posted by Dawn ( 8:54 PM )
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Thursday Dec 04, 2008

Lesson No. 1

Right, I think I might have to eat my words!

For the past couple of weeks I've been helping out at a Cook and Taste session that the Community Kitchens Project is running at a youth club in Islington. If you read my first entry, you'll know that I was quite scared of volunteering with 'young people'. So what did I go and do? Volunteer for a project where you hand them some sharp knives. I know, it was such a good choice!

But, they're fab! And I'm really enjoying it. To date we've made spag bol and pizza - well, I say we but it's the kids that did all the chopping, weighing and mixing. They still insist on adding salt to everything and anything...but give me time

So on a reflective note, it's not just them doing the learning (well, I hope they are), I am too. I've done something that I wouldn't have normally, and I've learnt I can do it and that I even quite like it. It's really nice to help out at a youth club, especially as I have such good memories of the one I went to.

Oh, and I've learnt what THE insult of the moment is - fat head! And could someone please explain to me how fresh is used as an insult?? I thought it was a good thing...

Sara

Posted by Sara ( 10:31 PM )
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