I'm looking for information on how to get involved in local charity events and voluntary work in the area. I am particularly interested in working with the elderly who are often forgotten in this forever busy borough. Also animals and children charities. I work full time in Elephant and Castle but I am free on the weekends.
I can recommend the work of Blackfriars Settlement. The company I work for has fundraised for them for several years now, and their elderly befriending services sound like the sort of thing that would be of interest to you – and there are several opportunities advertised on their site:
If you are interested in volunteering but don't know where to start, I would contact Community Action Southwark http://casouthwark.org.uk
Like you, I can only volunteer at weekends, so I volunteer for a fantastic charity called Contact the Elderly. http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk. We organise tea parties one Sunday a month - a volunteer host opens their home to a small group of isolated elderly guests and volunteer drivers take the guests to the tea party. It is a lot of fun. The commitment varies because volunteer hosts are only needed once or twice a year, whereas as volunteer drivers are needed every month. PM me if this is of interest.
I second exigo's recommendation.
Blackfriars Settlement is the place to go, I am sure they will be able to use whatever skills or enthusiasm you have to help the elderly. If they cannot use your talents at the moment I am sure they will be able to point you in a direction and organisation that can make use of your desire to help the elderly.
I also recommend Blackfriars Settlement based in Rishworth Street. They do a variety of work to support the elderly and I'm sure they would welcome volunteers. I know one of the staff there; Tina Johnstone, she's a lovely lady and I'm sure would welcome you. Let us know what you decide and how you get on.
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