Volunteer Work

Jemma247

Ok so i want to volunteer for work. I love animals so something that involves them would be great other than that maybe retail or waitress. I've got ZERO work experience so i'm very very hopeful.

I had no idea what i wanted to do at school. I have only done two computer courses since leaving but i honestly have no interest in an office job so i want to try & get away form that.

I just want some advice on what i should do, should i go to my nearest vets, cafes etc and hand in my cv? or email or does anyone post? i was thinking about handing it in with a cover letter but i can see people laughing in my face especially since i have no experience

Any advice please i feel like such an idiot

phonypony

Have you considered further education? Sligo CFE have a course in Vetinary studies, I'd say you would be much more likely to get some work experience in your local vets after that. Having said that, there's absolutely no harm going round your local vets asking if there's any voluntary work you could be doing for them.

tatli_lokma

Jemma247 wrote: »

Ok so i want to volunteer for work. I love animals so something that involves them would be great other than that maybe retail or waitress. I've got ZERO work experience so i'm very very hopeful.

I had no idea what i wanted to do at school. I have only done two computer courses since leaving but i honestly have no interest in an office job so i want to try & get away form that.

I just want some advice on what i should do, should i go to my nearest vets, cafes etc and hand in my cv? or email or does anyone post? i was thinking about handing it in with a cover letter but i can see people laughing in my face especially since i have no experience

Any advice please i feel like such an idiot

Why in gods name would you want to 'volunteer' to work in a cafe or retail? That totally goes against the whole concept of volunteer work! What you are really signing up for in that case is to work for free for someone who could say you but you have offered to let them keep your wages! Madness! Unless you approach a charity shop and offer to do a few hours. But even then it's generally staff with some experience they want, particularly when it comes to handling money.

If animals are what interest you contact some animal charities and shelters in your area and offer to help. But be warned, it's not always an easy thing to do as you will see cases of neglect and mistreatment. But having said that it will be rewarding.

Vets would be harder to get into for a number of reasons, mainly insurance. They tend to reserve their work placements for students who are working towards some sort of qualification.

Best of luck though. It is a great thing to volunteer and will look very good on your cv afterwards too.

Jemma247

Hi thanks for your reply, yes i applied there last year but unfortunately i wasn't entitled to a grant.

Jemma247

Citizens advice told me to apply for just about anything, a Barista also interests me so that's why i thought some work in a cafe might help

tatli_lokma

Jemma247 wrote: »

Citizens advice told me to apply for just about anything, a Barista also interests me so that's why i thought some work in a cafe might help

Coffee Shop work is not voluntary work. That is working for free for someone who should be paying you for your time. Please don't offer to work for a commercial business for free, it won't benefit you and you will just be allowing yourself to be used. If you want to volunteer then please only do so for charities or organisations that need the help and will appreciate your efforts. Working for free for a commercial enterprise makes no sense and is bad advice from citizens info IMO.

DeKing

Hi this might be a good site to get you started in volunteering. http://www.volunteer.ie/i-want-to-volunteer I've just started using it myself. It has some helpful information and you can browse a database of volunteering opportunitys. There may be something in your area that you might are interested in. Good luck

tatli_lokma

There are also regional ones so do a bit of Googling! For example Fingal in Dublin have a volunteer website for opportunities in the Fingal area etc

DeKing

tatli_lokma wrote: »

What's the website???

Edited and added. I'm such a featherhead at times.

tatli_lokma

DeKing wrote: »

Edited and added. I'm such a featherhead at times.

I changed my post once you added the website.

Thought I was going loopy there for a minute! I knew there was no website when I first read it