I've just been ringing around to see if there is much in the way of voluntary work in Toronto.
Is this recognised as 'Canadian Experience' or does only paid work count?
I enjoyed doing voluntary work in Britain, so it's no great hardship to do it over here.

Great Seacreature. What volunteer work will do is open up your circle of acquaintances...also get you out of house . Once you get that network going...your chances of finding a job will increase due to word of mouth. Canadians also do take volunteering into account when offering jobs. It shows a good strength of character and helps show your commitment to the area.

I am so pleased you are taking this step as it will hopefully help you to settle into your area a little faster and help you feel like you belong. For such a positive step I am giving you Karma!

Well, my resume lists my previous voluntary work, however as with UK work and UK qualifications, no doubt UK voluntary work experience is also useless. I hope doing voluntary work here does help me find a job, however at the moment I just need to get out of the house and do something. I've been over 2 months without work now and it's driving me insane.

Forget all about the UK differences..it's eating you up inside and making you miserable. As you've said you are normally an optimistic person...find that person again...wake up tomorrow with a whole new look on things. Join that organisation...start getting involved...things will happen...I'm sure of it.

It would certainly help, and would be recognised as canadian experience in most circumstances, as well as helping to meet new people and get out of the house. Its a win win situation.

Is there a volunteering bureau or website that we can go on to look? I currently volunteer at a disabled holiday centre in the UK for 3 out of my 4 weeks holiday and I would love to continue something similar, even if its just at the weekends

I should have looked before I posted! http://www.volunteer.ca

Hello..*S*..and welcome to canada...funny i can say that when i have only been here a month myself.
Anyway i am like you. I have been enquiring about volunteering in some places. I have an appointment for an interview in a retirement home and at my step sons school library.
I am hoping this too will help towards job prospects when the time comes. Also will get me out of the house.
And ..as we all know...sometimes..(most times)...it's not what you know...it's WHO you know. One never knows who they will meet when volunteering. Good Luck~

You don't necessarily have to join a charity. You could have fun if you joined an amateur theatre, choir, band, kids sports etc. It still expands your network.

However if you are trying to garnish your resume then charitable work in the field you wish to land a job in will look a lot like relevant canadian experience on the resume. Failing that then getting out and meeting people will make life seem a lot better however you do it and whatever you do.