Voluntary Work 

WorkAfterKids is not necessarily about going straight back into regular, paid employment.
You may not be ready for a full or part-time position, but you still want to do something else, particularly if your children are now at nursery or have started school and you've got more time on your hands.

If you're like most parents, chances are you'll have attended some locally organised activity for your child and perhaps been "roped in" to helping out but your involvement ended there. Have you ever thought about getting more involved and donating your skills or acquiring some new ones?

Most charities, associations and groups survive locally on a small number of volunteers to run the operation. This is where your skills can help; despite the local and informal nature of these groups they often have to be run along the same lines as small businesses, particularly where any income or expense is involved. Project management, bookkeeping, people management and communication skills are all needed alongside the general "helping out".

Benefits of voluntary work 

The experience you gain may prove to be invaluable when you seek to return to the workplace, and may open up new opportunities that you had not previously thought of.
As well as getting involved in volunteering for charities and groups, there are many other organisations that rely on volunteers to operate effectively and to build a presence in the community. Many will give you new skills, training and pay you expenses so you are not out of pocket.
Here are just a few examples:
The list is endless and will probably include many roles you either hadn't thought of, or are surprising in their level of responsibility.

Some Links to Volunteering: 

www.charityjob.co.uk
www.jobseekers.direct.gov.uk
www.volunteering.org.uk