[Closed] Giving time to charity, how do you choose?

Ages ago I used some kind of volunteer website to see what I could lend my skills to. I didnt find much of interest except joining the magistrates bench but they were closed to new entrants. I thought Id try and find the database for searching and link it for you, but cant remember the name. So google searched. and **** me isnt there a lot of "charidee" bollox around. Every two-bit third sector organisation wants a piece of the action. So little cooperation or collaboration. So much wasted effort and duplicated function.

In the end I think the most valuable approach to help locally is to look at your interests and see if there are volunteer roles you can join. Im a volunteer coach at the local rugby club. It's not saving starving Africans, but it's valued, local, and isnt drenched in administrative bollox.

Find something you are interested in.

I'm a cycling, walking, old routes, map geek so I do voluntary work for both the Scottish Rights of Way Society and for Sustrans.

Im a volunteer for sustrans, we go out cut back and tidy trails, along with attending cycle event days giving out free stuff,hopefully we get more people cycling and volunteering.

If you are a practical type and happen to live near Southampton I'm a big fan of these guys [url= http://www.tfsr.org/about/ ]Tools for self reliance[/url]

If you are a bloke, the various befriender organisations [url= http://www.befriendershighland.org.uk/ ]like this one in the highlands[/url] are always looking for volunteers - women too, just they are often short of men. AgeUK have befrienders too and are keen for men to help as lonely old guys often would like male company if possible.

a charity that squanders it's money on admin & expenses

Aargh! Please stop perpetuating this urban myth bollocks.

You choose a 'decent' charity by investigating those that catch your interest and getting in touch with them.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission/about

Find something you relate to or a person you do.
Find an organisation where all the money gets used productively.
We sponsor some kids. We support friends work in a couple of countries. We support two local organisations. It's not always cash either.

[quote=matt_outandabout ]Find something you relate to or a person you do.
Find an organisation where all the money gets used productively.
We sponsor some kids. We support friends work in a couple of countries. We support two local organisations. It's not always cash either.

I think the OP was on about time more than money...

I tend to agree with Stoner's observation, he may be referring to the 'do-it' website where there's so many 'opportunities' that it becomes a pita sifting through and one loses the will to live.

There's some good suggestions above but it may well be that you'll find something that catches your eye, say from reading a national or local newspaper. It could of course be something that you've never considered.

I'm hoping to volunteer again, if they'll have me that is!

headfirst - Member

Aargh! Please stop perpetuating this urban myth bollocks.

You choose a 'decent' charity by investigating those that catch your interest and getting in touch with them.

I'm sorry if I offended you, but living where I do & having to deal with chuggers & do gooders that get paid for their efforts, maybe deserved, maybe not, I'm a bit cynical.
I personally want no pay or expenses for my time, just for it to go to a worthwhile cause, preferably to OAP's, & there are so many OAP's that need simple stuff doing, but seemingly no outlet to help them.