Volunteering

[SJRSE22]

Hi there,

I don't know if this the correct place to post, apologies if it isn't.

My husband and I are thinking of adopting through Southwark Council and as part of the process they advise that you have some volunteering work with children.

I have looked up some volunteering websites, which have some great suggestions but as I work full time I am only available weeknights and weekend, there wasn't anything local available. I looked into brownies & guides but they start too early. Does anyone know of anyone looking for volunteers?

Also has anyone gone through the adoption process with Southwark Council? Any advice would be appreciated, we are at the very start of this journey.

Feel free to PM me.

Thanks in advance.

[Bellenden Belle]

Catch22 offers mentoring which can take place in the evenings or the weekends.

There's a poster on here called Norfolkvillas who recently started mentoring I think - maybe drop her a pm?

Also have a look at www.doit.org.uk

[Laur]

Or try the Children's Country Holiday Fund : http://www.cchf-allaboutkids.org.uk/welcome.htm

They provide respite breaks for disadvantaged children from London and surrounding areas and are now in need of volunteers for their Autumn and Winter Breaks (usually Friday evening until Sunday but sometimes you can just do Saturday until Sunday). You stay in holiday accommodation in the country with the children, escort them on days out to the seaside, farm visits, picnics etc - accommodation & food all included. Great fun, tiring but very very rewarding!

...and finally good on you for considering adoption!

[Norfolkvillas]

Well remembered Bellenden Belle! Yes I have just started mentoring with an organisation called XLP, but their focus is on supporting young people who are facing emotional or behavioural challenges. I think Southwark probably have less challenging volunteering in mind though - what about childrens centres or local play centres? Or libraries? Good luck!!

[SJRSE22]

Thank you for your suggestions, I will look into both the activity weekends and mentoring both sound extremely rewarding and will be so beneficial for me in the adoption process, even if I wasn't adopting this would be something I would love to do. It's fantastic there are these schemes that help children out there.

I will also check out doit.org.uk.

Thanks again.

[Nunheadfamily]

Kids company have a volunteer pool as well as mentoring opportunities, any experience with teenagers with emotional and behavioural difficulties will be looked on favourably in the adoption process as much of what presents in those years relates to early care.

http://www.kidsco.org.uk/volunteer

Siblings together is a great organisation promoting children who have been separated through care/adoption, they do activities at the weekend as well as holiday camps. The lady who leads the organisation is an art therapist so encourages the children to connect through creativity.

http://siblingstogether.co.uk