Oh you hit one of my most favorite topics, volunteering!! First of all, many communities that are decent size have what is called a Learning Exchange....they are classes that can range from art of any kind of art, gardening/cooking, to how rebuild an motorcycle, shear a sheep, frame your photographs and of course photography. Inside as well as outside ..about anything you can imagine, creative writing, how to find your soulmate...list goes on and on.
I have the link here from one in Sacramento Calif so you can get idea and you can call your library, local colleges, county services and ask if anything like this is in your area...but here in Ca, i seen Learning exchange classes in most larger towns. Any town over ten thousand lets say but i seen them in smaller too.
http://www.learningexchange.com/
But i will first go back to worrying a bit about being able to do this even. My suggestion is to start slow...limit yourself at the very most to hour once a week or less. I started at one hour every 2 weeks...i tutor reading at the library. You be surprised at number of adults who cannot read at all or just barely...i love to read so spreading to helping someone also tap into the love of reading was/is such a great reward for myself! Plus, libraries are quiet, have bathrooms..things that are nice when you do not feel well. But what i found is even if i did not feel well...might as well not feel well having fun rather than at home being bored or thinking i should still push myself to clean this or that.
Other thing is have one purse dedicated to all and any items you might possibly need if you should get sick. I keep backup of all my meds in it. OTC medicines i use for when i do not feel well. Bandages with antibiotic cream as i do not heal well..plus some cleaning towelettes. Just anything...you might keep this purse in your car if you only use that one car otherwise just keep it where you real purse is so it will go with you for sure...oh also include in it, easy place to direct stranger to call like your husband or friend should you get sick and need ride home. Plus, your doctors names...all this can help in case of you becoming unconscious..or get bracelet or necklace that we all seen. OOh sunscreen and fold up hat!! boy i used that hat at last minute out door things!!
Other than those few hints...i say start deciding what you would love to do!! my niece while in college, during her free time just walked into these places and said she volunteer can she learn /work with them....one was alpaca ranch, shearing them and sheep was her goal. Organic pig farm, another that grew the unusual organic greens in salads plus a plant nursery which also sold crafts created locally( including her) plus florist in it for winter when snow was on ground. She has always done this...which gave me the guts to ask my vet who was very much like a friend if i could volunteer for him few hours weekly. Being a Vet was my dream...but i started getting sick in high school by time college came around working and trying to attend college though both were part time still was too much for my body.
SO i finally was able to work at vets and he even eventually had me assisting in surgeries etc. I was content on walking people's sick animals as i am huge animal lover myself. I knew this was how i wanted my animal to be treated when i have had to leave them in the hospital overnight. so was comforting.
If you still are not sure...message me and i am sure i can help you figure out something/somewhere to volunteer! You can volunteer at women's center, schools are looking for volunteers in reading and other academics like math basic english. I did this while working...and tutor jr high kids in their reading...i could not believe that a child could pass( no child left behind rules were in place) who reading ability was 3rd grader at 13yrs old!! I mean where books mainly have pictures and maybe 10 words on a page at most! They had no idea how far behind they were at spoke often of what colleges they were going to go too! So our schools really need help!!
If you like animals...one that you can do for only hour..but it is outside is therapy horse work...you just lead a horse or can do other things there such a office work...but they help kids with cerebral palsy for example as well other coordination problems ride horses. For some reason both horse and rider really bond and horse works hard to help the rider keep their balance...as the rider does to help the horse. It is very amazing to see!
Work helping other women...at women shelters...shoot you could teach a class about what it is like living with chronic disease and what would help us or not. What tips you might know about house cleaning for others with chronic issues, or cooking etc. This would take a lot more preparation etc..so maybe down the road...but who knows!!
sure you can find something...CASA is great volunteer idea with kids too only few hours a month. Just do it is only way to get over the first fear...i know, i been sick and out of it for a long time. I live in very very small town so if you do volunteer well i been told if i get sick a lot don't bother...other places yet tell me to just show up and do what i can. SO i take what works for me!! But i get that worried feeling still mainly because of those few times people said that to me about if i get sick don't bother volunteering...yet they are always short!! So i do totally get it...if you have your bag..you will be just fine and always keeps something to read or keep your mind busy..radio app on phone what ever, music. good luck to you and if you like help..feel free to message...also you can volunteer online even!
good luck to you and i sincerely hope this leads to such great fun and learning that you never dreamed was still out there for you ...as it has me!! book clubs are still always fun!! i promise you will meet many people your age!!