Volunteer work is useful especially if you feel unable to commit yourself to regular days or times because of your illness. It gets you back into routine working and can help you decide if you can handle paid employment. It gives you the opportunity to meet new people and make some more friends and there is not normally any responsibility or pressure.

 Another benefit is the welcome and gratitude of the people that you help and the fact that you are not getting paid, makes you feel good about yourself.

There is a wide variety of jobs locally available and you should be able to find something of interest. I used this route as the start to get back on track myself and did amongst other things, coastguard watch, gardening for the National Trust, helping on Weybourne station for the N.N Railway, rewired a refuge for battered women, operating a printing press for the Lib Dems and several months at the Citizens Advice Bureau.

My wife went to work in a charity shop and is still working there 3 mornings a week over 5 years later, she has also recently become a School Governor. One of the guys visits disabled people for a chat and take them out, another sets up tables and chairs for a disabled group and helps out with swimming etc.

For details look on Norfolks voluntary website www.nvs.org.uk. There are local offices and the one in North Walsham is at  North Walsham Cottage Hospital, Yarmouth Road. You can phone Jackie Burnham who is very helpful on 01692 408314 to make an appointment.

GOOD LUCK !!