Volunteering

[Workingman]

.A while back I decided that if I could find something to interest me and also help others by volunteering then I would do so.

I really wanted to do something in computing, the Internet, that sort of work, but with the maturer end of the market. My thoughts were along the lines of going in to care homes, old people's homes, sheltered accommodation centres and those sorts of places to work with small groups/individuals and help them get online. I wanted them to feel safe with email, web browsing and to introduce them ways to stay connected with family and friends with things like Skype.

It was a bit of a surprise, to say the least, to find that there was little or no work available. The schemes, if they existed at all, were few and far between. What also surprised me was then when I spoke to people about this they all thought that "it was a good idea, but..."

It all got me wondering about how I could set up a Voluntary Action Group to get the ball rolling. During the interview I had last week we discovered two had just started up locally and were doing virtually the same as my idea... and they were looking for volunteers! I was over the moon. I applied straight away, one a phone chat, the other an online application.

The phone application couldn't be done as the coordinator was away "She'll phone you". She hasn't, even though I have tried again to contact her. The online application got me a name and an email address. I sent off with my phone numbers asking for a call back or for 'the name' to send me a contact number. Nothing!

I am sat here thinking that if organisations want volunteers it might not be a bad idea to keep them informed: communicate. I do understand that "the name" and the coordinator might themselves be volunteers or part-time, but something needs to be sorted out.

[saundra]

lets hope it works out WM but with so much
red tape it might take months
good luck anyway

[Aggers]

I think your idea is an excellent one, Frank.

I'm not surprised though at the way your venture has been treated.

There seems to be a shortage of people today who are capable of doing their job
efficiently. It all comes down to the universal attitude to work that now prevails.
It is very rare to find anyone who is efficient. Look at that lot in Parliament.

[Kaz]

Good luck with it Frank - it seems an excellent idea to me

[Workingman]

The idea, or similar, has already been taken up by at least two groups, but they both seem to be in the Catch 22 situation of needing volunteers to run the office and keep their outreach volunteers informed.

My ex is fairly high up in Social Care with the council and she was telling me that there are not enough funds to provide coordinator(s) for all sorts of worthy schemes even though it would like to.

I'll keep banging on at the two organisations already doing it in the hope that things can get going.

[Kaz]

I hope it comes good for you - you'd be ideal IMO x

[Workingman]

TY x

[JoM]

That sounds like a really excellent idea, I hope you can get some contact with the organisers and make this work