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 Mar 14, 2009

Second Time Lucky?

Hello everyone!

As you can see from my previous blog, my life in the world of volunteering hasn't gone smoothly!

I didn't hear anything about my visits to Eva for some time, so I emailed my coordinator.  It turns out she was just getting on with things, including receiving visits from another service!  I think Eva was very well supported and probably only accepted the offer of a visitor from Age Concern out of politeness.  So I had to make the decision not to continue the visits because I felt like there was someone else out there who probably needed the service more.

Since then I have had my introduction and one visit on my own with Lily*  Lily is amazing! - I feel blessed to know her.  Despite having a myriad of physical problems such as arthritis and osteoporisis, she is incredibily positive, thoughtful and kind.  We spent ages laughing about things like the time she'd left her purse in the fridge, or when she went to write down my name after the first visit so she woudn't forget - and she'd already forgotten it!

Lily doesn't have children and her extended family don't visit much, which is a shame because she loves children.  She also can't look after a pet which is sad because she loves dogs, and has to make do with a soft toy instead (brought a tear to my eye!).  I'm hatching a plan to ask my friend to bring her dog over to visit because he is already trained to visit the elderly.  She would like that.

I've learnt from this experience that just because you are volunteering and doing something amazing, it doesn't mean that the people you are working with will be organised and things will go as you expect.  I've also heard that despite asking for volunteers, people sometimes don't know exactly what to do with them.  Don't let this put you off.  If you have a paid coordinator this will help because they will be trained. 

I'm so glad I did this, I can't quite describe the feeling - but it's wonderful!

What are you waiting for?

Jasmine x

 

Names changed to protect identities.

Posted by Jasmine ( 5:36 PM )
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Wednesday Mar 04, 2009

London Life

Hi there - it's been a while, I know! But as some of you might know, my volunteering project isn't a regular slot on a Monday night. The Community Kitchens Project visits all sorts of events and organisations for one offs and repeat projects. Which is great for me as I love a bit of variety!!

But I have to say, it's been a couple of months now since I've done any volunteering and I've noticed that the little that I've done has actually made a great impression on me. Now, it's important when you read this that you realise that I'm a) a village girl from South Wales and b) a cyclist in London. I've lived in my little corner of Islington for around two years now so I know my neighbours and the local shopkeeper - but that's about it! I get on the bus and everyone avoids eye contact. I get on the tube and everyone avoids eye contact. I get on my bike and, well, those that do make eye contact rarely do so with a smile!

When I'm volunteering though I really feel a connection to a 'community', that Islington is more than simply bricks and mortar.

So, I'm very excited to be starting a Cook and Taste course at the Stuart Low Trust, an organisation that works to promote the health of those suffering from mential, emotional or psychological illness or disease. We'll be attending as part of the Wellbeing Project, which is a space set up to get people involved in social and leisure activities - there's even a drumming workshop which sounds great!

Anyhow, I'll tell you all about it in a couple of days!!

Sara 

Posted by Sara ( 10:36 AM )
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