REDUNDANCY, retirement, freed-up weekends or even a change in health can lead to unexpected free time.
And volunteering can be just the thing to fill that time with a sense of well-being and purpose, says Billie Bachra.
It can be for as little as one morning a month, or as much as a full-time job, and can involve our time, money, skills – or sometimes all three.
It can also enhance a young person’s CV, while giving them relevant work experience, she says.
“The key is to balance volunteering with day-to-day life – do what you’re happy with, and say no when you need to,” she advises.
It needn’t be hard work, and can be a great way to meet new like-minded and interesting people.
“Using skills and hobbies that you enjoy can be a great way of sharing your knowledge with others – for example woodwork, or crafting abilities,” she says.
“In these times of so much negativity, and the ‘everything-is-broken’ environment we live in, it is good to do something positive.
“Often, we wait for someone else to act, but when we do it ourselves we get a great sense of achievement.
“There are so many benefits to volunteering, and so many local opportunities.
“There’s something out there that’s just right for you.
“The most important thing is that you enjoy what you are doing and feel that you are getting something out of it.”
Billie leads the Spencers Wood Repair Cafe at Lambs Lane.
For information, visit: spencerswoodrepaircafe.co.uk and wokinghamvolunteercentre.org.uk
