I wanna do some Volunteer work - but what?

[Diesel]

There are some institutions that come straight to mind for volunteer work, and some that don't...


If I wanted to feel like I was really helping out and making a little bit of a difference... Where should I look to volunteer some of my time?


All suggestions appreciated. Over to y'all...      




Do you volunteer?  Who with?


Cheers, Diesel

[Biggles]

Meals On Wheels are keen for helpers.

Red Cross Blood Service can use volunteers at their blood collection caravans.

[ST2UP]

I need my lawn mowed regularly.....and happy not to pay you so that would technically make you a volunteer.

Just sayin !!!

 

Will get Pockey to fuel the mower for you....




I volunteer with the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) as a trainer/assessor and Land base Rescue Operator.....the whole "Jaws of life" thing the media hype with, when my other hat is left on the hat rack.

I think it's good for the sole for everyone to Volunteer their time to one organisation.

The obvious ones that come to mind are SES, Volunteer Fire services in your area, Marine Rescue on Bribie, even your service clubs need volunteers who can generate monies to assist people and community projects.

Look at the skills you posses and how they could assist an organisation, although many people get a reward out of getting out of their day to day grind. Have a mate who was an accountant 9-5 and every 3rd weekend a crewman on a Westpac Rescue chopper and has since moved to full time employment on a chopper.


Or you could bring us a hot coffee as I send this from my phone freezing my knackers off standing by at a work thing !!! That would be good use of your time.....

Cheers

[Gavo]

I used to drive the soup van around Perth and Freo for the Red Cross, and My better half would serv .All before the tin lids came along.

[Sabie]

In qld ses and rural fires are always,on the look out for,people.

Other than that, lions, apex, rotary the list is endless....

http://www.volunteeringqld.org.au/web/

http://www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au/home/

[laurie]

ST2UP, I know the lawn mowing suggestion was tongue in cheek, but its not as silly as it seems.....
My wife was diagnosed with a life threatening illness 5 years ago. I soon discovered that I was never going to be able to keep up with a full time day job, care for her, do some sanity things for me, and still find time to maintain the home and 2 acres of grounds etc.
I often wished for an extra pair of hands around the place and still often do.
I reckon there would be a lot of carers like me that could do with that kind of help from time to time.
Laurie

[Sicman]

I volunteer with St John Ambulance behind the scenes as a Regional Professional Officer managing Health Care Professionals who also want to volunteer with St John divisions - Dr's, Nurses, Paramedics. I do assist with skills training as well to train members.
I also volunteer as a Director on the board of the local RSL club.
I also volunteer my services with NSW Fire and Rescue as a retained Fire Fighter - Yes it pays a small retainer, but no one does it for the money - we do it to help others with our skills.

Legacy Needs people to look after legatees. St Vineys, need helpers, RFS and SES need people. Its probably easier for you to match your skills and see what organisation has a need for those skills. People are needed behind the scenes as well as out on the front line.
In fact most organisations are struggling to get volunteers. I think this is because of the bullshit regulations requiring people to be trained to the enth degree because an organization may get sued,  even though most people just want to lend a bit of a hand  or some labour.

Cheers
 

[keith3po]

ST2UP, I know the lawn mowing suggestion was tongue in cheek, but its not as silly as it seems.....
My wife was diagnosed with a life threatening illness 5 years ago. I soon discovered that I was never going to be able to keep up with a full time day job, care for her, do some sanity things for me, and still find time to maintain the home and 2 acres of grounds etc.
I often wished for an extra pair of hands around the place and still often do.
I reckon there would be a lot of carers like me that could do with that kind of help from time to time.
Laurie

As a carer myself i can only second that sometimes the smallest thing can be a pain the a**e i have to plan going to the shop. Sometimes a carer would appreciate a chat and a coffee something to think about before you choose who to help.
But whatever you choose to do big thumbs up  and to the rest of you who volunteer.

[Yorkie]

I have found the local Men's Shed do quite a lot in our community, helping out the locals and even as a backup for the Shire on small maintenance issues, painting etc. The main problem is insurance if an injury occurs, we had to get cover through the Shire for volunteers to direct bikes to parking for the Motorcycle Festival.

[STeveo]

Diesel, don't you do enough running the ST club?

[Diesel]

Boy! I have approached a few organisations to offer my meagre service and ability - with not much joy. They, like me are only too willing - but, as I work 40 hours a week, my free time has not been matching up so far with the needs of these organisations. For instance - Meals on Wheels' kitchen runs weekdays 9.00am - 1.00pm, and 'Breakfast for School Kids' is 8.15am-9.15am. (PCYC is getting back to me).

I have found a very interesting national mob called Men's Shed. It looks like a great time to be had, and helpful for the relative communities in which each chapter resides. A good night out with blokes too if you know of someone who is feeling the bite of the 'black dog' too, it would seem.     

Here is Wamuran's web page - have a gander... http://www.wamurancommunity.com.au/?pg=5


The search goes on.... I feel I would love to help the community by reaching out to homeless and less fortunate by getting good quality hot meals prepared and served in the evening, and hooking up with community services to offer a little brighter future for the same.


Will keep everyone posted.


Cheers, Diesel

[Streak]

Hey mate,

The Men's Shed is great to get involved with, We sponsor the Gatton and Toowoomba Men's sheds, and what they do is very worth while, and very true on the black dog side, they do great work.

[StinkyPete]

Drive a community bus for the local council
Gardening and general maintenance for your local nursing home
Men's Sheds (already mentioned)
Volunteer at your local hospital. Ours has a volunteer run café, guides for the rabbit warren layout, lolly trolly etc
Churches are often looking for people to help supervise youth events (if you can get a police clearance  )
Volunteering at a local community museum or historical society
Lions, Rotary etc have many activities to get involved with

Good Onya Diesel, there's plenty to be done.