[justjoy]

I've worked as a volunteer helping to make our city spaces green, in a local animal shelter and as a mentor. All of these are passions for me and I agree I can only change the bit of my world that I participate in.

[Green-Moo]

I used to volunteer for a charity which enabled elderly folks who lived alone to meet up for tea once a month. It sounds so simple, but was really appreciated.

[mollyL]

Our youth group is a really good bunch of kids who work as willingly as they play. We have done yard work for some seniors that can't manage it anymore, we do yard work for the local emergency women's shelter and tidied it up, making it look a little happier for the women, and we work at the local food bank, stocking shelves and making boxes for the patrons. We go to assisted living places and play cards and do puzzles with the old folks, and we go to sing and talk with a sweet guy with terminal cancer. Maybe it's not exactly environmental work as such, but it helps the personal environments of the people we help.

[justontime]

It is not voluntary work in the formal sense, but I have 'adopted' a couple of young people who are experiencing difficult times. One needs a helping hand in order to cope at university due to health problems, the other needs stability and direction because there are problems and health worries at home. Hopefully a bed for the night when needed, a welcome at our table and a lot of encouragement will help them. If we reach out to people, they in turn will reach out to others, this will lead to strong communities and a more caring world.

[RFL1986]

The times I've volunteered have been for causes I truly believe in and want to show support for. More than anything else I just think that your 'employers' as a volunteer need to treat their unpaid aid with respect so as not to lose their free help. A lot of times volunteers quit due to bad bosses which is kind of silly considering the nature of the work.

[Green-Moo]

A very valid point RFL. There have been times when I've been volunteering when I've wondered what I'm doing there!

[justontime]

In UK we have so much legislation and 'red tape' relating to volunteers that it makes 'employers' think hard about whether they want to use volunteers at all. It is a shame because both sides can gain from it.

[Lyndsey]

I like the feeling of being part of a community, of working as as a team to make positive changes.