General Chat

morning everyone i am a volunteer reader at a local primary school, governor at nursery and secretary of a local group. regards jackie.

I dont have much time nowadays, but did a long stint in the local Hospice Charity Shop some years back, and thoroughly enjoyed it - would recommend it to anyone who has the time to devote. New stock every day, lots of lovely people hunting bargains, good laughs too and the proceeds help those that need it. Well done to all of those who selfishlessly (?) devote their time and efforts to others less fortunate. When I retire I intend to offer my services (whatever they are - lol) to anybody who will have me. Jac

Hi Yvonne, I am at Ightham Mote most Fridays during the season, it's great fun working for National Trust, and I have learnt so much about pre Victorian History Dee xx

I work Voluntary for the National Trust at Speke Hall in Liverpool. Its a beautiful Tudor Mansion aged 450 to 500 years and Im a room steward, I tell you about the history of the rooms and the house. Why do I work there, spent most of my childhood playing down there and have always admired the house its a piece of history that should be kept. I work usually on a Sunday, but if Im off work on holiday will spend most of the week down there if they are short staffed and will be there this afternoon. Love it, and would love to own the house.

Many years ago, I used to help out at a handicapped childrens centre a couple of times a week. We used to help get them involved with play and fun stuff and I was only a teenager myself, but it gave me a lot back as well. xx Jill

Thank you to everyone for adding (BC - remind me not to ask you to colour my hair for me when I see you) Dee xx

Hi I volunteer with Riding for the Disabled one morning a week at the moment. the session I help with is for children with special needs.I really enjoy seeing the children enjoy themselves riding. I'm learning to drive a carridge so that I can help at other sessions. Sue

I've worked for quite a few different voluntary organisations over the years and enjoyed each one. Sometimes though you need a change to keep you motivated. At present I work with disabled people as a mentor, I also do the newsletter and am chair of the social group. I have really enjoyed this work. i think volunteering is great for loads of reasons, gets you out, helps others, etc and I think all youngsters should get involved, it helps them when they are looking for work Janet

Hi Dee, I am also a Volunteer for HomeStart. I have been with them for 6 years now and love it. As you mentioned it is helping families with young children. I find it is great when we have helped the families with whatever problems they may have had. Many a friendship is formed. We have our regular 'training sessions' and have a good laugh. I would recommend being a volunteer for Home Start. Sue

Hya Dee As I may have told you when we met up I am a voluntary helper at school,my Niece who is Deputy head got me involved when I retired from Nursing I and love it,I do a half day a week or somtimes two and also go on school trips. Of course i had to have a police check to do this.

A few years back I worked at my local hospital as a voluntary 'hairdresser'. I was not a professional but managed to shampoo and stick a few rollers in and it made the patients feel better. Until one day, this woman begged me to dye her hair as she had an inch of white roots showing. It was against the rules, but I smuggled in some hairdye and we locked the bathroom door and I got to work. Unfortunately, the result was a frightening shade of carrot, but she obligingly hid it under a turban for a few days, just to protect me! lol but it was discovered and I became the only voluntary hairdresser to be...*blushes....sacked....lol...BC XX

i work for voice over

O.H. an I are on the management committee of our local Village Hall and have been for almost 30 years with only a couple of years break. He is the chairman and I am the secretary, but the job descriptions don't do us justice! LOL There is no caretaker so any odd jobs that need doing, help with the cleaning and general maintenance, decorating, refitting the kitchen, any complaints or problems - just call us. Because you can be sure no other b***** will be interested! You name it, we do it, along with a neighbour whose job title is treasurer. The Hall is a registered charity, non profit making, and for the use of the Community and others. We have an AGM when we always ask for new committee members and volunteers, but nobody wants to know. The complaints and moans are always there, but no new blood volunteers to help us ''oldies''. The youngest committee member is 58 now and the oldest 86 - where has the community spirit gone? I'll probably be saying this in another 20 years too, but I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it! Sue xx

Hi Ros, I have often wondered about transcribing, but have never really looked into it Sue, the Book of Remembrance must have been quite an achievement Jan, you sound like another very busy lady; if people want something doing I guess they come to you. Btw I have a friend in Hayle, wonder if you know her, she used to have a record shop there Susan, it must be emotionally draining with cancer patients, although I guess it is very rewarding as well Buggs, do you get many young volunteers with conservation work ? I did work experience in a children’s home in the 60’s Maggie, and conditions there were pretty grim. You certainly seem to have helped make changes, music and art is so therapeutic isn’t it Hi Liz, what we the public want, and what the council thinks we need are two very different things at times aren’t they? Your committee certainly seems to have made an impact Dee xx

Several years ago I helped set up a voluntary committee that worked between the local people and the local council making sure any money spent by the council was what the people wanted, not what the council thought was needed. We managed to get lots of good things done including writing a threemonthly newsletter and I delivered many of these before my health problems got in the way. We were also able to have a lot of input and had publicity days about all the building going on in our area, and managed to steer the developers and council away from putting more shops and industrial things on our redundant hospital plot (a new pfi funded one was built just outside the city) . We argued for and got housing instead and it has turned out a nice development. We also had input into the redevelopment of the site of an old Chocolate factory so that whilst there were shops, there were also homes and affordable housing built there. Also was a voluntary helper at my son's school for outings and such.

I did voluntary work while I was at school. To be honest there was very little altruism involved - I just couldn't stand PE, RE and games!! When I was 12 I asked the head if I could help out at the local 'home' for what was then ( 39 years ago) termed mentally & physically handicapped children. No-one had ever done it before, (I had never encountered a special needs person before either) so he said if I sorted it I could do it!! Went up and saw the person in charge of the 'Friends' - we both had the same unusual surname - transpires he was my second cousin! Anyway, I sorted it and went up twice a week during term time and most of the holidays for 4 years until I left school - then couldn't keep away, despite the fact that I was locked in the room with the children - alone - and there were about 20 of them with various disabilities!! The conditions were awful compared to now. The children were fed, clothed and clean - but there was absolutely no stimulation apart from a televison attached to the wall - 12 foot up. They had varous disabilities, but one thing in common - institutionalisation. I persuaded some friends to go up and sing to them one Christmas - they didn't get much chance - the children loved the guitars and wouldn't stop strumming them. I went out and bought some kazoos and harmonicas and took them up. The change was amazing - if somewhat noisy!! Unfotunately they were only allowed to play with them when I was there. One good thing came of it all, apart from my managing to avoid hockey, the school I had attended started to encourage it's pupils to help out at the unit, and 35 years later, with less children being 'put away' for disabilities like Downs Syndrome and CP, with proper stimulation rooms and musical therapy the volunteering goes on. maggie

I volunteer with an organisation that I work for. I work with cancer patients to make their lives a little easier. I love the work I do and I like to think that for a little while I am doing something worthwhile. Susan

Snap Martin I was with the St.John Ambulance for 26 years, started as a cadet, then adult member, went on to Divisinal officer for Cadets. Saw the changes, but didn't like them, left 3 years ago 5 years ago got involved in the Hayle Skate project, to build a skate park in Hayle Proud to say it opened last year, hard work but fantastic. Hubby and myself are also invovled in Local footie club. Will help anyone that needs it, mum and dad are the same, mum although disabled helps in local cancer shop. I do fundraising throught work as well Jan

I run two Guides Units plus various other 'jobs' in the Girlguiding movement. One of the ones I enjoy a lot is writing and illuminating pages for a Book Of Remembrance for a Guiding training house. Sue

Ros, I am sure, as you are not paid, it is classed as voluntary work and so beneficial to Family Historians. Ann Glos