How hard can it be to help people?

Hey humbug25.... just reading through your responses and I see you are interested in possibly helping at charity shops.... the one in town by the job centre are asking for people, or you could always enquire at the recycle centre..... As for helping some people, there are some that just don't want to be helped.... before moving down here I have helped many people and unfortunatley most of them through it back in my face once they were all sorted, so now I chose my friends wisely and I'm very thankful to have found a friend such as yourself.... I really appreciate all you have done for me and i'm sure you know that if ever you need me for anything all you gotta do is pick up the phone....

I don't know what Samaritans is but I never work volunteer I did offer to volunteer in offices to get work experience but I got a job instead so I never volunteer Like most people, my hubby's work is affected by the crisis in the US so he has been laid off and only called in when there is work So financially I am not in a better situation than others, but I know there are people that need more help than we do I don't know how I can help because right now money and donations will be the ones people need and we don't have much of that ourselves I think until our financial condition is sorted out I won't be able to volunteer or donate since I don't know if we have anything left to give out

How wrong on them to act in such a manner because it simply is not possible for people to attend of an evening and possibly the distance might be a bit much for other people. Yet everywhere we hear that these organisations need volunteers but your experience shows that people are being deterred rather than encouaged to be volunteers. My partner and I do not have a lot of time to spare because of our jobs as well as our small farm, all of which keep us occupied. However we have a gentle dog who loves being fussed over and the more fuss the better I sometimes think. Every day my partner takes him when she goes for a walk around the block plus sometimes he trails along behind her when she is going down the street on the bike. One day some of the older people from the Retirement home who were down the street when my partner arrived with dog, made a huge fuss of him. One of the staff commented later to my partner how good our dog was and how much the older people enjoyed beng able to spend time. After that my partner started to take our dog to the retirement home once a week for a couple of hours. Everyone has a great time, the residents look forward to the visits, the dog thinks he has gone to heaven but best of all, it helps the residence and cheers them up. When we are busy and my partner nor I cannot take the dog to the retirement home, one of the staff comes and picks him up. That is not volunteering in the same sense but it gives you an idea and perhaps you might have a nursing or retirement home near you where you would be welcomed. Besides the dog being welcomed, so is my partner as she listens to their stories and talks about what is happening in the area, with our family etc. For the residents, it is a new face once a week and first hand news of the "outside world". Give it some thought as I am sure that it is something you would enjoy doing.

I missed this discussion when you put it up! I have attended the samaritans workshops and had my interview. I will find out after 17th February whether or not I have got through or not. I'm not really expecting to get through to be honest. The interview was by two sweet dears... probably in their 50's. Everything was going fine until they asked if I had ever suffered any psychatric illnesses! Well I was very proud that I managed to sum up 30 years of troubles in 5 minutes! From my awful father, going in to care, having a breakdown, depression etc etc! They were speechless! I'm not sure if they believed me or not! But one of the women said that she was amazed that I was so composed and had been through so much in my life allready! Obviously they have had quite lucky sheltered lives! Up until that point they seemed to be dropping hints that I was saying the right things etc. But after my revelations it all changed! From what they said they think I might not be ready to sit and listen to other peoples problems without getting upset. I tried to explain that because of everything I've been through I've learnt to switch off my emotions to protect myself. But they didn't look convinced! It's because of everything I have been through that I want to give a little something back. I did consider volunteering for childline. But the centre I would have to go to is too far away. I'm not sure where I will look next if I don't get in to the samaritans but I'm sure there must be other options available. Good luck with your search x

u are to be admired for wanting to. sounds like u have a pretty full plate. i know nothing about the samaritans but i bet if u ask around there are people u could help. check w.the the nursing homes or a home health care i bet they could reccomend somone. i bet u probably have an elderly person close by that u can help. good luck in finding someone. they will be blesed to have u as a friend & helper.

No I dont find it hard to help people in fact, me and my family have helped a lot of people over the years with what we could and whenever I can I always think of helping others, well actually I just help people I dont really think about it much I just do it whenever I can, and I think its wonderful that you want to help people I think more people should.

could you not volunteer at your children's school? most schools are crying out for volunteers. when our daughters were younger, i volunteered at their school in the school library. i did it for several years and really loved it.

I have the desire to do some volunteer work too, this year. So I am thinking of volunteering at the children's hospital. I would love to sit with them in the evening and read a book or play a game with them. But it doesn't work that way. When a person volunteers they get put into a position and not asked what they want to do. I have checked it out already and was told that I can't just volunteer and do what I want, as play with the kids or read to them. I was told I would be doing the harder stuff like bathing them and changing diapers and bed pans. Stuff that I wouldn't be helping the kids enjoy what life they have. That isn't what I want to do so I now need to find something else I would want to volunteer to do.

My volunteer work is with animals and I am able to do it on my own schedule. Good luck with finding something that works with yours!

i dont know if they have them here in the US, but i used to help out at the salvation army when i was younger. it was very rewarding. now i only help my kids with some money now and then when i have it. cant work any more, so not sure what i could do.

It is hard to find time to volunteer. I think that you are doing plenty of good for your community by raising three wonderful children. Perhaps you could find a way to include the boys in your volunteer work. You could pick up trash at the local park or visit people in your local hospital.

Hello humbug25! I also really want to help other people. Even here in mylot, I am willing to lend a helping hand to someone who wants my help. I help samaritans and that's for sure. I even gave some coins to beggars on the street.I do it voluntarily and I want to help as much as I could.

Being a single mother of three alone is being a good and hard working samaritian! Take that time you have to yourself. You deserve it and make you able to handle life.

All people is in earth is in network one people work is connected with another people in matter of work you cannot delinked with each other. so we have to help other people.

What a great shame my friend, you'd be simply wonderful working for Samaritans, they would have a great asset if they had you working for them on a voluntary basis, you are warm, caring, understanding and would be a gem, sad they can't be more accommodating but I see from their point of view, they can't have that many offices as it's a voluntary organization with the nearest as you said being 30 miles away which is out of the question. I have used Samaritans in the past and it's a wonderful service and I was so glad to have someone to talk to at the end of the phone. The only voluntary work I have done is work in a Primary School my friend but that was part of my college course but I gave my time in return for experience, I didn't get paid but working with the children was a wonderful experience for me. I hope you find something you are an asset that any organization would or should welcome with open arms.

I have no idea what that is.. but i have not volenteered anywhere no.. but i thought about it a few times.. what about a second hand store intown that proceeds go to either a cause in your communuty or a charity.. we had one in the small town we lived in. or the salvation army.. sorting drop offs.. i bet that would be help, and you'd get first dibs on boys clothes ;)

I have never worked for the samaritans. I have volunteered my time to the old folks home, and the homes for pets. I ask at the homes who gets no visitors or has no family to come see them. I let them know when I can be there and that's pretty much it. The same for the homes for the pets. They can always use volunteers. I know volunteering for some places can be a pain in the bottom to say the least. You either have to drive a long ways or fill out a questionaire that makes you think you are applying for a government job. I'm sure you know what I mean...your whole life history and all. The hospitals can use volunteers. I know there are other places I just can't think of them right now. Good luck to you on finding something. Oh, also the school where your children go could use help. Just talk to them. It will also get you closer to your children knowing what they are doing daily or being in contact with the teachers will help you more with their schooling.

Hi Humbug, When I had a lot more free time I was a volunteer at the local YMCA shop and I loved it there, only used to go in a couple of afternoons a week but it was great fun and it was my way of helping. I work now so don't any more but do support a lot of charities in other ways. It is a shame you have to travel so far for a meeting so maybe look at offering in a charity shop a couple of mornings a week. Good luck. Huggles. Ellie :D

To answer you three questions Yes. Yes. Samaritans don't usually admit to being a volunteer. However, I was a Sam volunteer for three years and never would do it again - when we came here I enquired and they treated me like I had some problem. That attitude put me straight off. In fact that's where I met The Boss and we faced some objection to both of us volunteering at the same branch. We both were on the same training course. They have them in the evening because that's when most people are off work. I now volunteer at the Cathedral and love it. So much so that I am expanding my remit there to encompass all aspects of guiding. I am half way through a course right now. My attitude to volunteering is that if you approach it like a job, then it is easier to do. The "employer" sees you as a worker anyway and certainly the law does. People of course don't always want to be helped and there is not much that you can do about it. You might like to look at www.do-it.org.uk There's some interesting stuff there. Volunteering is worthwhile, just be selective about what you choose. Try something and if you don't like it then you can always walk away and try something else.

That is very admirable of you. I have to say I haven't been involved with helping people that much and I feel a little embarrassed about this. However, I did say to myself that I would try and make a difference this year. I want to refer to this year as a year of action! I want to take some kind of positive action this year and I'm thinking that I might join some kind of group as a volunteer! I think that you start to feel good about yourself as well when you help others. Anyway, good luck with what you want to do. Andrew