This year, I applied to go a postgrad course but I didn't get on due to problems with my application.
However, I'd already got a part time job which is good experience/hard to leave. And a flat.

So now I have to find something to do with the rest of my time. I could just get some random shitty money making job that'll give me shifts in the time I'm not doing my part time job, but financially I should be ok because obviously I'd planned not to be making more money anyway (though I'm not going to pretend that wouldn't be nice).

Really I want to do something that will further my getting a good job at some point as much as possible, since I don't know what other opportunities I'll get to do something like this. I thought volunteering would be a good idea because I could keep up my part time job, look good to employers and do something interesting and worthwhile. At least until I find something better. Plus even though I'm stuck on what to do with my life, I'm considering working with people in health/education in some respect.
And I'd really like to do a post grad degree/research at some point, even though due to the set up of my undergrad degree and my general awkwardness/apathy at that point I don't have anyone I know who worked with me enough to give a good academic reference. Would volunteering help with that at all?

Has anyone here been a volunteer? What programs are good?
More in a more serious career forwarding way than you know the odd hour to help out. I'm actually already volunteering at the moment in a primary school, as a sort of TA/Special needs assistant, but its just because I have a relative who works there and its really unofficial - I like helping the kids but I think from a point of view of the headteacher etc. I feel like I'm not really being appreciated.

Volunteering is awesome!
I whore this way too much, but I volunteered here for two years pretty much all the time - Kith and Kids - and now I'm away at uni I hope to keep doing so in the holidays.

Maybe see if there's anything like that in your area? It sucks to feel unappreciated, even if you're doing something selflessly.

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It's great that you are thinking about volunteering. There are many hidden benefits. Life goals: to find purpose. Volunteering IS education.


"Education is a process of revealing our ignorance and filling this void with purpose; experiences happen in mysterious ways beyond structure and planning; volunteering one's talents is another way to open oneself to rich experiences and the lessons they teach. Life is a university"
~~carefulcarpenter

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Marerophilia:
A depth of love that youth can seldom appreciate or communicate;
A love that never can die for it is a wild seed living inside us, and it is what it is;
Love: that which bonds the reality of one's being to the mystery of the unknown;
Wildflowers: evidence revealed."
~~carefulcarpenter

i volunteered for a local mental health charity and a homeless drop in centre whilst doing postgrad, has been really helpful with jobs

i think its an excellent idea. try and volunteer in an field that you might want to work in. like if you want to be a pharmacist volunteer in a health clinic for the homeless. do they have many homeless in uk? because that issue is ginormous here in america.

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Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities - Voltaire

Thanks for all the advice.

Oooo yes mental health charities is a good idea. I've been looking into NHS mental health units but charities is probably a better bet.

I do food not bombs every week, and occasionally cop watch. Neither of those would really help if your goal was to use them on a resume but I really enjoy them none the less. Volunteering is awesome as long as you're doing something you actually like.

to work with vunerable adults you will need a CRB check.

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"I'm getting fucking tired of you fucks" - Trent Reznor - toronto 1994

I am the hate you try to hide and I control you - Mr Self-Destruct.

you'll need that for almost any type of volunteering. I've had about 5

I'm having one done at the moment since my part time job involves (or will involve, when it comes through) working unsupervised with groups of young children. It was ticked by my employers for the more "advanced" check version, so I assume this is the same one as you'd need for vulnerable adults?

Yeah, I do want to help people and do something I enjoy, as well as it looking good on my CV. I mean, the whole reason is I want to be in a career where I help people, so this seems like a good way to get into that.

I have been accepted to train as a voluntary telephone counsellor with childline it probably won't start till January.

Volunteering is amazing. I like helping others. Right now I am volunteering/interning with a domestic violence agency..I am training to become a certified hotline specialist. After that is done I plan on volunteering at an HIV/AIDS legal advocacy place. Looks great on a resume and it's the field I would like to soon enter so it's a win win.

I volunteered at an op shop (thrift store) sorting clothes and shit, and at the Red Cross in the Finance Department doing admin work. Now I'm thinking of doing more voluntary work at the Eating Disorders Foundation near me, they're run by volunteers. Will see if I get a full-time job first, but if I don't, I'll volunteer in my spare time.

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When the glitter fades in the morning, turn away and you will find my empty eyes....your beauty blinds.

volunteering is a good idea - i think it's a good way to spend extra time and it brings good karma, whatever that means

Well, I have an appointment at the Eating Disorders Foundation at 4pm today to discuss volunteering. I'll probably be doing more admin work and I'm really excited about it. I don't have to worry about covering my self-harm scars there because they understand that shit.

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When the glitter fades in the morning, turn away and you will find my empty eyes....your beauty blinds.

MIND is always a good one.

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"I'm getting fucking tired of you fucks" - Trent Reznor - toronto 1994

I am the hate you try to hide and I control you - Mr Self-Destruct.

I just got accepted onto an international volunteering program this summer. Hooraaaah. Now to work out what/where/how etc. So much planning!

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Whats it through?? EVS??
I'm thinking of doing a 9 or 12 month european volunteer programme in the next year or so.

ISV. It's a month of volunteering, then a week's adventure tour.
You did turtle saving, right?

I applied for Eastern Europe but a tiny part of me selfishly hopes they put me in Equador for the week in the Islas Galapagos.

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that sounds good I'm going to look