volentry ,work programe.

[bcham]

my provider keeps on at me to go for volentry work,im a 55 year old male ,but dont fancy working in a charity shop ,

can they make me do this,and sanction me if i dont.

[Peterbard]

my provider keeps on at me to go for volentry work,im a 55 year old male ,but dont fancy working in a charity shop ,

can they make me do this,and sanction me if i dont.

 

I started doing voluntary work for my Local Credit Union 20 years ago, and it is one of the best things I ever did. Then continued to do shifts helping out at the CAB. There is a great deal of satisfaction to be gained from doing work to help the community with like minded individuals, I can highly recommend it, and I know they are always looking for helpers.

[estellyn]

my provider keeps on at me to go for volentry work,im a 55 year old male ,but dont fancy working in a charity shop ,

can they make me do this,and sanction me if i dont.

 

You should be able to find some voluntary work that suits you - not all voluntary work is charity shops. This is a great site and has opportunities in lots of different fields, close to where you live (254 near me).

 

http://www.do-it.org.uk/

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

When I was recommended to do voluntary work, I was put in touch with the local volunteer bureau who found me a couple of interesting things. Neither was working in a charity shope. Is there a volunteer bureau near you?

 

My best, HB

[san_d]

Volunteer is misnomer. When you're forced to work for no pay it's not voluntary work, it's workfare.

[Peterbard]

It depends on your point of view I suppose, personally I would rather be out and about than sat at home watching loose women and Jeremy Kyle.

[estellyn]

Volunteer is misnomer. When you're forced to work for no pay it's not voluntary work, it's workfare.

 

I agree that if you're forced to work somewhere that will have no impact on being able to get a job, it's pretty pointless.

 

But volunteering voluntarily (sounds funny when I say it aloud) in an area that you have chosen where you're properly trained can be helpful to get a job, helps the community and gives something back, and gives a 'feel good' factor and personal benefits like confidence and self esteem.

 

And yes, benefit claimants are treated poorly by this government, but so are those groups in need of volunteers. If we can help, we should. In the same way that we say that those who condemn benefit claimants, would change their tune if they needed to claim - one day we might be the ones in need of a volunteer service. What goes around comes around and that includes help.

[dyfed]

Volunteer is misnomer. When you're forced to work for no pay it's not voluntary work, it's workfare.

 

Although I am of recent taking a break from voluntary work I have spent some five years doing voluntary work in the Mental health sector.

The work was very rewarding. It gave me a purpose in life and I felt proud and was somebody.

I gained valuable experiance and attended courses gaining qualifications, all paid for by third sector or local authority.

I actually managed a patiants council, arranging the rota, arranging meetings with mental health ward managers. I took minutes and published them. I took on new volunteers. I sorted travel expenses for volunteers. I almost done everything.

I was on the board of a local mental health advocacy organisation.

 

I am held with great regard in my local mental health sector.

I was offered a job with one organisation but took ill and spent some time in hospital before I could start.

 

All this before the torys were'nt voted in to government. All this before work program or work fare existed.

 

All this because I wanted to change my life around and work towards employment.

However because of my heart conditions, staying in hospital for months and all the health problems I am suffering with this has all set me back.

I do believe when ready I will be back there volunteering and will gain employment in the sector and the work I LOVE DOING?

[Lilly_Monroe]

The only problem I have with finding VW is the cost to get there and back.

I live very rural and would be looking at a lot of money travel wise, on an already low income.

This would also be via a bus as driving is not on my spectrum at the moment with the depression.

I know some charities offer help with costs, but I have not found one yet.

 

I also would be more suited to working alone, (well not in a crowd of people) one or two.

I have registered with do-it-org.

 

Got my name down for one local charity shop but can only go by when require new staff.