Thinking outside the box

suncatcher

It has been mentioned to me about doing voluntry work. I told the person. people are having there benefits stopped. The works and pensions lot view this as if you can do voluntry work you can go out to work.
I know personaly people who s benefits have stopped one was given theroputic work and reiceived benfits as well this has beeen taken off her and she certainly was not ready for proper work and this has caused a relapse in her condition as she is in despair. I have also met people at collage this has happened to.
I have told the person who has suggested this what happened to these people and she said she would be re evaluateing what to say to patients she was discusted at the system and told me some people take time to build the confidance up others could not manage full time work and this was a solution to that. she said the people at work and pensions not being experts and had no clue.
Anyway she said for me in mind to think outside the box. there are many lonely people out there who have no one to visit them. I could befriend someone for example.
How do i go about this? I dont know anyone personaly.
Has anyone else got any out the box ideas i could think about.
If i ever do get my benefits back i would still like to feel of some use in society

elnafinn

If help the aged are in your area, get in touch with them and have a chat if you would like to become a befriender. Perhaps you might also go along to where they hold get togethers and find something to help out with there, every now and again or when you were able. Just a thought. We have a very active help the aged in our area and I know people who have become a befriender by contacting them. I visit a lady every week for the past two years or so, but I got to know her years ago. She is now going blind and welcomes people calling to chat. She is not without friends but thrives on company. She used to paint, sew, embroider but cannot do these things now so time can hang heavily for her. I enjoy going to see her - we are good friends now.

Elna x

suncatcher

elnafinn wrote:

If help the aged are in your area, get in touch with them and have a chat if you would like to become a befriender. Perhaps you might also go along to where they hold get togethers and find something to help out with there, every now and again or when you were able. Just a thought. We have a very active help the aged in our area and I know people who have become a befriender by contacting them. I visit a lady every week but I got to know her years ago. She is now going blind and welcomes people calling to chat. She is not without friends but thrives on company. She used to paint, sew, embroider but cannot do these things now so time can hang heavily for her. I anjoy going to see her - we are good friends now.

Elna x

Thanks will look into this

dorcas

My twin sister who is on JSA helps out at the local Sally army charity shop one morning a week.......they are always looking for volunteers.

it's a great way to give something back to the community as well as meeting others....

the benefits adviser was ok about it but my sis did have to fill in a form (there's always a form for everything isn't there?) to say how many hours she was doing and that it was unpaid/ voluntary work.

Iris x

hileena111

Hi
If you would like to befriend.....why not contact yopur local church? We have various churches in the village but I think its only the C of E that has befrienders. But.....if you talk to any other church leaders they might be able to put you in touch with someone who would appreciate a visit {unofficial}Just a thought....my age concern branches are quite a distance away....One is 12 miles one way ande the other is about 10 miles the other way LOL
Love
Hileena

frogmorton

Hi joanne

Was goin to suggest age concern. Social services or a luncheon club???

Any of those would welcome you as would your local hospital??

I think it's a great idea and I am doing it too

Love

Toni xx

airwave

I was warned off volunteering when unemployed, anything more than 16 hours a week is deemed to be working.

I volunteer for two different organisations and sometimes do 2-3 days a week, but not that often.

I told them (the job centre) what to do with it in the end and remain happily 'retired'!

8) Its a grin, honest!

speedalong

Hi Suncatcher,

Lots of good ideas have been made already. In addition, you could also volunteer at the local primary school to hear readers/help with cooking/in the school library etc Some Surestart schemes use volunteers to support young families (might be too strenous?) and a lot of adult education classes use volunteers to accompany people with special needs to classes ... all depends who/what need/where your interests lie. The RSPCA/guide dogs for the bline etc also use volunteers as dog walkers etc ...

Do you have a local voluntary bureau? They are good at suiting your talents, time restraints and so on to make a good match. They should also be good at knowing about the problems with benefits and voluntary work.

Good luck in whatever you decide and keep us posted.

Speedalong

suncatcher

I have so much to think about now. There are so many suggestions. I have done a few things with my sons school as they like to involve parents. I enjoyed these as your under no obligation. and i will do more condition permitting. I will look into other things also. thanks so much for the ideas they are well apriciated. thanks