Spotlight on Emilija

Emilija is a guardian with us in East London. From the start she has dived straight into her volunteering. This is what she has to say: 

‘Today marks my 10 week anniversary as a guardian with Dot Dot Dot. Since starting I have volunteered with at least 7 different organisations on top of my full time job. It has been a steep learning curve comprised of moments of bliss and some crises of self-confidence.

On reflection this journey has been full of the unexpected. Amongst more traditional volunteering roles such as fundraising and leafleting, my volunteering repertoire now includes sheep herding and dressing a disposable nappy stall.

One of the first volunteering activities I signed up for was an ‘Urban Weed Walk’ in Hackney organised by a gardening community ‘Cordwainers Grow’. The walk involved combing the streets of Hackney with urban ecologist Annie to help her spot, identify and record wild plants sprouting in the paving cracks and brick walls.

One of my more regular commitments is helping out at Mudchute Farm. Working with animals surrounded by the park’s rolling hills makes for a nice change from the day-to-day desk bound work, even if you end up going home smelling of muck! The staff are very welcoming, the fellow volunteers are great company and many hands make for light work.

I have also undertaken more civilised volunteering roles. My most recent commitment is doing online research for the charity “Action on Hearing Loss”. However my next big challenge is to launch a volunteering cause of my own. I want to set up creative workshops for adults to help them rediscover the joy of imaginative experimentation and problem solving.

Starting new things can be a slow process but I am optimistic. The last 10 weeks have shown me that you can succeed in new things if you put your mind to it – even if it’s sheep herding.’

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This week’s top five volunteering opportunities

1.Listening Ears

Where: Abbey Wood Community Centre
When: Various
Category: Listening, Mental Health, Support Services
Commitment Level: Ongoing

Listening Ears is a Charitable organisation established to address the increasing rate of depression arising from issues surrounding pain, grief, distress and isolation. They run a variety of projects with a range of clients. To find out more and to apply, click here.

2.Action on Hearing Loss – Fundraisers

Where: Kings Cross Underground Station
When: 13th May
Category: Fundraising, Disabilities
Commitment Level: One Off

Action on Hearing Loss are looking for people to fundraise in Kings Cross Underground Station on the 13th May. To register your interest, click here.

3.Crossness Victorian Pumping Station

Where: Crossness, SE2 9AQ
When: Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays – 9am-4pm.
Category: Gardening, Maintenance, Education, Administration
Commitment Level: Regular Commitment

There are many opportunities for volunteers to assist in the restoration, maintenance and administration of the Victorian pumping station at Crossness and to create an exhibition of sanitary history. They currently have a large range of unfilled vacancies. To find out more about the roles and to apply, click here.

4.Volunteer Teaching Assistant for Refugees

Where: Lewisham
When: Saturdays
Category: Teaching, Young People, SEN
Commitment Level: Regular Commitment

This organisation works to relieve poverty and isolation among refugees, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities in Lewisham. They are looking for volunteers to support the teachers in delivering literacy and numeracy lessons to children with SEN across all classes. For more information and to register your interest, click here.

5.Cross Roads Care

Where: Eltham, SE9
When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays – 10am-2.30pm
Category: Dementia, Support, Elderly
Commitment Level: Regular Commitment

Crossroads Care South East London run two memory cafes in Greenwich. The cafes are a friendly and informal meeting place and offer support to people with dementia and their carers. They are looking for people who are willing to be trained and supported to become Café Volunteers to support staff. If you are interested in this opportunity email: l.munns@ccsel.org or call: 01322 336086.