I have just registered with Do-it voluntary opportunities - specifically, a web-based opportunity with ‘Fix The Web’ which identifies websites that are not disabled-friendly (very relevant for me) and The Samaritans, where I am particularly interested in answering letters and emails from people in need.
I took ill health retirement in the last 2 years and I have been struggling to feel useful and that I have a purpose and role in society. I also feel guilty whenever ‘benefit scroungers’ and ‘Motability’ (we have a nice car through Motability, which many people seem to object to and resent!) are mentioned in the media and I hope that this will be offset by making a contribution to society through volunteering. I don’t drive and am at home all day, my children all being old enough to be at work or school.
Do any of you volunteer, and how do you find it? I am hoping it will be rewarding and fulfilling, and will not be stressful as stress really aggravates my symptoms!
As Marcus said, an interesting email Perky. I am in the process of entering the world of volunteers (where practical of course), also to keep my sanity.
Work seems to have become a no-go-zone and I am thinking about declaring myself ‘unfit’ for work (I still have a reasonable level of mobility, but I feel as if I am on ‘a wave’ -due to fatigue/ cognitivity issues- throughout every single day).
The decisive factor actually is my disabled daughter, so volunteering in my case starts at home, and from there on I will look further for possible other opportunities to keep in touch with society…
Hi, I use to volunteer at our local Field Study Centre. I left when I had a brain haemmorage which then left me, I think, with MS. I am still friends, on facebook or email, with a person who worked there so friends can be made. I do miss the work though and I am sure you are going to be made very welcome so good luck on your new venture.
But seriously, this did occur to me too. I think it’s ok as long as you tell the DWP what you’re doing, and in my case it would be a couple of hours working from home a week when it suits me - and there aren’t many paying jobs that fit those conditions! Surely they couldn’t argue that this would mean I was fit for work? Although they (DWP) are so non-sensical and bound in red tape that nothing would surprise me.
Again, others’ experiences re; volunteering and DWP payments would be useful please?
Hi, Ive just googled voluntary work when claiming esa/incap.All I saw was rules regardingpermitted work`. This is for paid work, yeh? But what about voluntary work with no pay?
I really understand your motives. They are the very same reason that I spend a lot of time answering posts on the Limbo forum: it’s good to make a difference (or at least try!).
I get a lot of pleasure from my (self-imposed and completely unofficial!) “voluntary work”. It can be a bit stressful, especially when a lot of people want in-depth, off the forum help at the same time, but it is very rewarding.
I hope the new jobs will bring you a lot of pleasure and fulfilment too.
Thank you Karen. I am glad to hear that you find your advice & help role to be rewarding - I hope I find similar rewards!
I can fully understand that it must be stressful for you so I hope you take measures to counter this, and look after yourself? Not being ‘official’ as you point out, means unfortunately there isn’t support for you in place; I imagine (and hope) that when one is formally volunteering advice about coping with the stress of the role will be built in, if that makes sense! I think I should be ok though, as I have a great Paul McKenna cd & book that combats stress and I do yoga at home.