The Accidental Volunteer

It was practically an accident. Not a physical fall or anything like that, but more wandering into areas and roles of life I certainly, initially thought I'd belong, but turned out I did.

Inspired by a famous long-running children's TV programme, there being a need for something in a community and the Royal family, I developed a desire to help people by volunteering my time, energy and ever developing skills. Along the way friendships have been formed, there's been much hilarity, such care when life throws a curveball and resilience, drive, commitment are strengthened and things I didn't know I can do or there aren't the opportunities to do in my paid job. All that's been good, but best of all is helping people of all ages with their needs and desires.
It was supposed to be a few months, or a year tops. That would be decent, so I thought in my teens. The whizzing by of the hands of time on the clock and dates in the diary, has suddenly meant 22 consecutive years later I am still volunteering. I am just an ordinary woman, living a very ordinary life. Just me, my cat and parents, one whom I care for - unpaid.
As much as I was inspired by great people, I also sort of fell into volunteering by people asking me to join this and that. Once, not asking me, but in my teens my mum's friend, who's daughter I babysat, had asked her and the local primary school, which I had long since graduated from, (I was a young college student at this time) about me helping out at a globally recognised children's charity for girls, in the village I live in. Of course I said yes, I had no choice, did I? The urge to help with the understaffing was strong. Over a decade, I stayed there and became leader. It wasn't my ambition, but it needed a leader and I had ideas. The District Commissioner had wanted me to lead, even though I was one of the youngest to at that time. My parents weren't so sure. I had to do some fast talking to my parents, or the DC was going to have a word and I definitely didn't want that... how awkward would that be?
I was a shy teen, but no longer as I entered my 20s. Suddenly I had a massive responsibility and commitment. The group had gone from being so small to having a waiting list as long as my arm. The DC from the next town's units used to joke that I dragged folk off the street. I didn't do that of course. Tongues wagged about the crafts, games, semi-educational activities and other charities helped by members and fun everyone had.

To rewind a little, it all started with a cancer charity and a lunch club for teens at high school, then well known children's groups, to theatre, to creating parcels of essential items for those who had been trafficked and since rescued, to creating a garden, to creating a library, to long walks. I mean very long walks where I could feel muscles I had no idea I had.
Some charities were for the community I live in, others were global, but also benefitting the community I live in.
Sometimes I am a unit leader, other times part of a team. Sometimes I have helped teens through the volunteering part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Sometimes it was writing references for people trying for universities and jobs.

Some charitable work was weekly, some monthly, some for a day.

What's it like not to volunteer, I sometimes wonder. One day that may be a chapter of life to explore. I feel this chapter in my life isn't quite complete. Nearly, but not just yet. It just goes to show that you can volunteer at any age and help anyone in the world.