I’ve been working on setting up my volunteer ‘nutrition drop-in’ sessions for vulnerable women this morning – very exciting and we’re getting close to the launch now ! I believe that everyone should be entitled to nutritional support regardless of their income – being a volunteer for at least part of my working life is the best way I can support people who might not normally be able to access this kind of help.
I know we all have busy lives but volunteering is such an amazing thing to do and the good feelings gained from helping others is reward in itself. It helps you feel part of a community and being kind to others helps you feel ‘connected’ in a way that is often hard to achieve in our very individualised lives. I grew up in the north-east of England in a mining area where community values were very important and caring for one another a part of life. I guess I’ve just refused to ever let go of that and honestly can’t imagine life any other way.
There are opportunities for volunteering in just about everything - especially here in Brighton and Hove. From playing chess with isolated older people living in care homes to walking dogs or helping babies with developmental delay take those all important first steps.
Why not take some time this weekend to explore what’s out there and think about how you could contribute to your community? It doesn’t have to be something massively time-consuming or hard….taking your neighbour’s recycling out to the street every fortnight might take a little bit of pressure off someone who is frail or elderly and really make their day.
Here are some places to start….
Brighton and Hove Impetus (local volunteer work)
Brighton and Hove Volunteer Search – Community Base
Active Lightworks – volunteering opportunities for complementary therapists
BHV - youth volunteer programme
Portage and Early Support Scheme- volunteering opportunities with pre-school disabled children
Have a good weekend.
Tags: volunteering