Does anyone do any volunteer work?

[jemmajam]

And if so what do you do? And how did you get started?

I feel like I could be giving back somehow but I don't know where to start plus I have to small tag alongs that I would have with :)

[TripleTime]

Sure do, also do a lot of community awareness & fundraising work.

I run playgroups for prems & sick newborns with miracle babies foundation. Have a group on tomorrow & Monday actually.

[jemmajam]

That's really great TripleTime, how did you get started? Also I think that's amazing that you have time for that with three toddlers as well lol

[Gothel]

I've been thinking about this too, I'm gonna contact my local council who i am pretty sure run a volunteer resource centre...

[MuminMind]

I used to volunteer for Good Beginnings Program, where I would give practical and emotional support to a family effected by disabilities, mental health issues and a relationship breakdown. I had to leave my DD with my partner, though. Unfortunately it is somewhat difficult to volunteer with a child, unless the work is something you both could do.

Volunteering Australia is a good starting point. http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/html/s01_home/home.asp

Best of luck! :highfive:

[GluttonForPunishment]

Does BH count?

:p

[Solarberry]

I went to volunteer a few years ago at like the Salvo's I think and the amount of forms and checks that I had to fill out and do put me off. It was like I was going for a job!!!

[TripleTime]

That's really great TripleTime, how did you get started? Also I think that's amazing that you have time for that with three toddlers as well lol

Started when the first group opened in Newcastle September 2009. We started going to the group, liked what they did. Filled in the application form on the website & went from there.

When we moved to Melbourne last year, i started another group, did the stand pregnancy & baby expo, opening another group tomorrow. *sigh*
Good thing is, i can take the kids with me which is why i started in the first place & groups arent on during school holidays.

I wanted to give back to the people who helped us over the last 3 years.

[lightsaber]

I'm a Girl Guide Leader. love every minute of it!

[pennylane]

I'm a photographer for OpLove Australia :-) we provide free photo sessions for deploying or deployed servicemen and their families and send the albums to them overseas so they have an album of photos of their family from the session and we also shoot their reunion when they return from their deployment.

I'm a professional photographer already and I saw an article about the cause on a US website so I looked up the AUS branch and applied :-)

[Laksa]

Yes. I help run my local Australian Breastfeeding Association group and I'm doing a voluntary traineeship with them to become a breastfeeding counsellor.

I love helping mums, I can take my kids and I get to cluck over babies (cuddled a ten day old last week mmmm)

[Pammyla]

I volunteer twice a week rescuing stray dogs from the pound. We wash them, get them vet checked and then move them into foster homes. I also foster them. Then they are advertised and hopefully find their forever homes. It's A heart warming experience welcoming a confused untrained and unwanted dog into your life and watching them blossom with stability and love :)


Waiting on the arrival of William :)