| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 10/11/2010 : 19:52:48
Hey guys, Im just looking at what I will do when I leave school and Id love to take a year out before uni, I was looking into volunteer work in some places. Has anyone else ever done any? And if so what, where, when and how was your experience? I understand the likelihood of finding someone but I thought it might be worth a try. Thanks anyway. :)
Tiffany-x |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 13/11/2010 : 17:09:49
My mums friend is actually a vet, and I have seen her at work several times and when I was about 10 I used to go around and help to feed all of the poorly cats and dogs and give them water. I know exactly what it entails and I am not in the slightest squeamish so I dont doubt for a second I could do it, and also Im a pretty strong person and quite crazy, I can do anything I put my mind to, Im very determined! :P
And mort hun, that would be pretty amazing if you took your children when they are older, esp if they love animals. It would be a great thing for all of you I imagine. :)
Tiffany-x |
| rachiepotatoe |
Posted - 13/11/2010 : 16:39:45
Oh wow doing the vet medicine would be awesome
I wanted to do vet nursing at nottingham trent, but I was put off it after doing my voluntary work at the vets, if you havn't already done so I strongly recommend you get some work experience in at the vets, write them a letter asking just for one day a week or something, or a week during half term or something :) |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 13/11/2010 : 09:53:57
Unfortunately I'm a single mum and don't have anyone to look after my kids or the funds so it really is not possible at the mo.
I thoroughly intend to do something when they are grown up though
Have a funny feeling I'd end up having the kids join me then as they are as animal mad as me
Good luck with your plans,hope you achieve all your goals |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 12/11/2010 : 19:53:24
I will cost me 600 quid for flights and 85 quid per week that I stay there. I am going to do the vetinary medicine degree at University of Nottingham, or at least thats my plan. :P I have wanted to be a vet for as long as I remember, I have always adored animals, but I think maybe now my choice has been slightly swayed to specialising in reps, but we will have to see how I finally feel in about 6-8 years before I finally make that decision! :P
Tiffany-x |
| rachiepotatoe |
Posted - 12/11/2010 : 19:38:14
I've done some voluntary work in a vets , a school,and an rspca charity shop, now I have a placement at a dog groomers.
All I can say is Animals = better than children! haha
It all depends on what you want to do at uni really, its best to do something related (see, i thought i wanted to teach, turns out I want to work with animals)
Had I of had the chance, I would have been off to Africa or somewhere without even thinking twice about it. It's such a great oppurtunity, you just need the money to do it!!
I hope you find something wonderful !
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| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 12/11/2010 : 15:11:24
quote:
Originally posted by Mort13
If it wasn't for the fact that I'm a mother to 2 young kids I'd be over to Africa like a shot!!
So as an oldie,I'll say for you to do it now while you're young,crazy and have no commitments You never know where it may lead. Get out there and make the world your oyster!!
I dont see why that should stop you, you only have to go for a week, Im sure they would be fine without you for a week. I have always felt that family is the most important thing in life, and that is the exact reason you shouldnt let it be an excuse. I dont exactly know how old your child/ren are, or your circumstances, but I truly think if you want to do it then find a way of getting around the reasons you cant go, ie someone else to look after the children. It can be like a small holiday for yourself. At the end of the day I believe you should do everything in your power to do everything you want in life, because it isnt forever, and even for me it feels too soon before I will be too old to do a lot of things. I really do think you should do everything you can before you lose the capability. There are lists and lists of things that I plan to do within my life, and whether I have work or children or any other commitments I will eventually do them all, you just have to want it badly enough, and be prepared to have to put in a bit of extra effort making it happen, whether it is spending a long time saving or finding someone to look after your children or finding time off work, or a mixture of the 3. Sorry, Im doing blabbing now! :P
And yeah, original volunteer is a fantastic website, they have so many places you can go doing such a wide range of things and the money you pay is ONLY for you being there, original volunteer dont take any of it. Its pretty fantastic, and I would love to do it. :P
Tiffany-x |
| drchino |
Posted - 12/11/2010 : 10:58:31
thanks for the website, I'll have a good look through that |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 12/11/2010 : 10:54:28
If it wasn't for the fact that I'm a mother to 2 young kids I'd be over to Africa like a shot!!
So as an oldie,I'll say for you to do it now while you're young,crazy and have no commitments You never know where it may lead. Get out there and make the world your oyster!! |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 12/11/2010 : 07:39:37
I have already had a CRB check, I worked in a School nursery and Year 1 last year for a bit! I adored it, it was pretty incredible, I loved it when you spent time with one child helping with something, then the next day they run up to you looking so happy cause they practiced and now they can do it, it made me feel so happy for being able to help them. I never though about doing that tbh, I might have to, and in my town we have like 8 infant/junior/primary schools. :D
Tiffany-x |
| dizzie85 |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 21:10:02
If you want to do something with children you could always approach your local infant/junior school and offer yourself as a volunteer? I work voluntary as a classroom assistant in my daughters class and there is nothing more rewarding! I think I only had to wait 3weeks from applying to my crb clearance and I absoloutely love it! Especially as I have a first hand know in what my daughter is learning at school so I can help her but aside from that there are 24other children who also benefit highly from having an extra pair of hands to help! The teachers value your help (trust me volunteers are invaluble I'm rushed off my feet not knowing which way to turn and I have to wonder how they would ever of taken that lesson I worked in without me lol! They wont say no infact they bit my arm off nearly when I offered my services :p Good luck in whatever you decide |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 20:48:44
You should do it, its usually far cheaper than the average holidays and most places let you go for a week if that is all you want. You should totally do it, Id like to go to the monkey sanctuary too in South Africa but that is one of the most expensive I have seen, its 175 quid per week. :( But yeah, like I said, if I were you Id go for it, but I am a little crazy! xD
Tiffany-x |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 20:44:09
Good luck with it,hope you find something that works for you and have some amazing experiences on the way
I've just recently signed up for volunteering myself. Would love to do something with animals but the only thing local to me is a trust that walks dogs for elderly or infirm and as much as I think its a fab idea I've got a near phobia of picking up dog poo so I can't do that
Hopefully going to be doing some work for a charity that provides support to carers though.
Dream one would be to work at the elephant orphanage in Africa. If I could turn back time I'd be over there like a shot. |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 16:34:04
I will do it! Without volunteers I dont think I could of coped with life itself a couple of years ago. I will check out that website, I have to decide whether to travel or do it here, but in a year I have no doubt that I can do both. I have always been ambitious, its just how I am, I set high hopes for myself. :) I have seen a place in Guatemala (http://www.originalvolunteers.co.uk/destinations/guatemala.html you will see there are two options there, I want to go to the animal refuge) which I would love to do, but obviously that depends on money, whereas if I do it at home I can part time volunteer somewhere and part time work properly, I cant live off nothing. As for taking my education further after I know exactly what I want to do and where and its what I have always wanted to do. :) I want to do something with animals because I adore all animals, but I must do something with children even if only for a few months because volunteers have done so much for me in my short so far life, I have to do it myself just to say thank you. Its a big and important subject for me.
And I just cannot wait to get into it all, I wish it could be now, but my school is too important. Its nice to hear so many people have done it on here, there seems to be a small positive correlation between people who like corns and do volunteer work. Im surprised so many of you have, because I dont know anyone (apart from teachers at my school) that has ever volunteered.
Tiffany-x |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 10:25:04
although it's quite a while ago (no comments neccessary!).............i took a break in my education then really struggled to get back into being a student again
after my first term back i dropped out and did a vocational course instead but that did get still get me a formally recognised qualification
not wanting to put a downer on your plans though |
| drchino |
Posted - 10/11/2010 : 23:41:38
I did some volunteer work for my local hospital radio, it was pretty cool, even got my own 45minute show after a while (although the CD selection wasn't the greatest!).
Would love to do it with reptiles, if I had the time and somewhere local I'd happily do it! |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 10/11/2010 : 22:44:00
If you are able to go to Africa that is supposed to be quite cool. A few one my friends go there to help and say its fantastic. A few went to help children and build stuff and help out the schools there and another friend goes there for helping animals every year as h loves it that much and is a;ways telling us stories about what he did there. He said a little crocodile got hit by a car so it got brought in and it looked fine, a few hours it was dead or so they thought! They opened it up for a bit of an autopsy when it decided to come back to life. Sadly, the car hit had damaged the organs. He also helped deliver a baby giraffe.
I have had quite a few friends who volunteered for British heart foundation. You get first picks on all the stuff that goes there :o
If you can work at a rep or other pet place I bet that would be ace :D but some petshops and zoo's can be a bit ****y about it and don't let anyone help XD |
| HannahB |
Posted - 10/11/2010 : 22:28:00
I volunteer at the moment at Great Ormond Street hospital and its amazing - doing sports with the kids to bring a bit of energy and fun to their day is awesome..not the same as getting experience in a rep shop or zoo but just as fulfilling :)
I've done tonnes of volunteering and found that summer camps were really good in getting experience - I did two weeks at an autistic summer camp and loved it - a friend of mine went to America and worked at camp America for 3weeks and then stayed as an au pair out there for two years - if I could afford it at the time I would have gone with her!!
VInspire is a really good volunteering scheme - have a look at their website and I bet there's something you would like on there |
| lucyloop |
Posted - 10/11/2010 : 20:57:17
I am a volunteer at the west mids safari park, in the education dept with small mammals, snakes, spiders etc. I LOVE it. It is without doubt the best and most exciting thing I have ever done. I have learnt so much because of being there and seen some seriously amazing stuff. I would recommend it to anyone.
Lucy |
| stotty01 |
Posted - 10/11/2010 : 20:52:17
rep shop |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 10/11/2010 : 20:41:41
quote:
Originally posted by stotty01
oh yeah.....you will want more and more and more and more and more and more reptiles aswell as snakes....so make some room and start saving xD
I imagine that would depend on where you were volunteering, lol. |
