[itsmehello]

Almost every place I have called said they do not have any free volunteering places!
I've called up almost each place and I always get the same response 'sorry, we're not looking for any volunteers at the moment'

Am I doing something wrong, should I just e-mail my cv rather than calling them up, or should I actually visit the place and see if I can talk to someone there. I'm really keen on volunteering there because I know it will look really good on my personal statement.

How did anyone else get volunteering and how did you apply

[itsmehello]

Anyone?

[Thomas2]

Have you thought about St. John's Ambulances or do you live near a hospital with a medi-cinema?
They often want volunteers.

[Genocidal]

What do you mean by "almost" every place? What happened with the other places?

And I would suggest trying further afield. If you're desperate then this shouldn't be much of an issue, right?

[Rough Silk]

I sent written letters to 13 GP's before I received a successful response!

I've got work experience at an assisted living centre across the road from my school which (eventually) they helped me to set up.

Just ask around and try and find out where other people have been able to volunteer and don't give up!

[itsmehello]

(Original post by Thomas2)
Have you thought about St. John's Ambulances or do you live near a hospital with a medi-cinema?
They often want volunteers.

Yeah I'm already volunteering for St john's ambulance but was interested in going to a care home a few hours a week since my teacher recommended it, and thanks I'll look into medi-cinema I hadn't heard of it before

(Original post by Genocidal)
What do you mean by "almost" every place? What happened with the other places?

And I would suggest trying further afield. If you're desperate then this shouldn't be much of an issue, right?

Nah ofc not, I wouldn't mind travelling actually. But I have tried calling places outside of my area and had no luck it's quite disappointing

[Zaddie Caso]

(Original post by itsmehello)
But I have tried calling places outside of my area and had no luck it's quite disappointing

Welcome to the world of volunteering and work experience in the medical field!

Getting any type of Nursing/Medical work experience is usually really difficult if you don't have connections, however I've never heard of people struggling to find placements in Nursing Homes.

I usually email places, because then you can make the same format and just copy it and paste it, somebody is likely to reply! I think if you have tried 'loads' of places, and you still aren't getting any luck, maybe look at the language you are using when you send places letters, or think about how you are sounding on the phone.

Alternatively if you would like to work at a Nursing Home, see if any relatives/ parents friends or relatives, have been or are in a Nursing home, then just get them to ring up. I did as my grandad was in a residential home near where I lives, and they didn't seem to be fussed at all, just said turn up on Monday.

Good Luck !

[itsmehello]

(Original post by Zaddie Caso)
Welcome to the world of volunteering and work experience in the medical field!

Getting any type of Nursing/Medical work experience is usually really difficult if you don't have connections, however I've never heard of people struggling to find placements in Nursing Homes.

I usually email places, because then you can make the same format and just copy it and paste it, somebody is likely to reply! I think if you have tried 'loads' of places, and you still aren't getting any luck, maybe look at the language you are using when you send places letters, or think about how you are sounding on the phone.

Alternatively if you would like to work at a Nursing Home, see if any relatives/ parents friends or relatives, have been or are in a Nursing home, then just get them to ring up. I did as my grandad was in a residential home near where I lives, and they didn't seem to be fussed at all, just said turn up on Monday.

Good Luck !

Just been calling places up and all of them said no free places for volunteering aghh, but yeah I need to send more emails around, I'll start looking again when my exams are over.

Thanks for the advice!

[sarahp]

(Original post by itsmehello)
Almost every place I have called said they do not have any free volunteering places!
I've called up almost each place and I always get the same response 'sorry, we're not looking for any volunteers at the moment'

Am I doing something wrong, should I just e-mail my cv rather than calling them up, or should I actually visit the place and see if I can talk to someone there. I'm really keen on volunteering there because I know it will look really good on my personal statement.

How did anyone else get volunteering and how did you apply

Have you tried your local volunteer bureau? They have a list of places that want volunteers in all sorts of areas and they match you up with the type of work you want. Good luck

[itsmehello]

(Original post by sarahp)
Have you tried your local volunteer bureau? They have a list of places that want volunteers in all sorts of areas and they match you up with the type of work you want. Good luck

No! I never knew there was such a thing! Thanks I'll look into it

[confused dot com]

(Original post by itsmehello)
Almost every place I have called said they do not have any free volunteering places!
I've called up almost each place and I always get the same response 'sorry, we're not looking for any volunteers at the moment'

Am I doing something wrong, should I just e-mail my cv rather than calling them up, or should I actually visit the place and see if I can talk to someone there. I'm really keen on volunteering there because I know it will look really good on my personal statement.

How did anyone else get volunteering and how did you apply

Age Concern seems to be a good place as they're always looking for volunteers and run quite a few projects such as one where you go and spend a couple hours a week with some of the elderly people in your community.

Apparently they've changed their name to Age UK now, but here's the link to their volunteering page: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/

Edit: Here's a list of things you could get involved in (granted some might not be entirely appropriate for a Sixth Former )

Activity Buddy (helping someone to become more physically active)
Befriender (visiting someone who lives alone)
Bereavement and loss visitor
Events assistant
Day centre helper (tasks could include serving meals to giving manicures)
Driver
Fundraiser
Gardener
Handyperson
Information and advice worker
IT coach
Swimming monitor (helping at swimming classes)
Trustee

Working with the vulnerable in any capacity will show the commitment that care home volunteer work does. I only spent a couple hours a week helping the elderly at a Day Centre by serving food and having a chat which was fine for my applications

[sarahp]

(Original post by itsmehello)
No! I never knew there was such a thing! Thanks I'll look into it

Also, on the online job centre page there are volunteer opportunities

[~ Purple Rose ~]

Try www.do-it.org.uk