Volunteering
Volunteering is widely recognised as a positive activity that benefits both communities and the individuals who generously offer their time and talents. For those aged over sixty, becoming a volunteer can have transformative impacts on wellbeing, offering both emotional fulfilment and physical health advantages. But what exactly makes volunteering so beneficial, and why is it particularly rewarding for older adults in the UK?
Volunteering is often described as a way of giving back. But for many people, especially in their sixties and beyond, it is also a way of moving forward. A new rhythm. A fresh purpose. A way of staying connected to the world in a meaningful, human way. And yet, for those thinking about volunteering for the first time, or returning to it after years away, the first question is often a simple one. Where do I begin?
There are many reasons people give their time to volunteer. Sometimes it begins with a sense of duty. Sometimes with curiosity. Sometimes it comes from a need to fill the space left by retirement, or from the desire to meet new people, or to put long-held skills to use. But whatever draws someone in, what often keeps them going is something harder to define. A quiet feeling that this matters. That this is good for the soul.
One of the most common hesitations people have when thinking about volunteering is wondering what they really have to offer. It’s easy to look at a list of opportunities and think, I’ve never done that before, or I wouldn’t know where to start. But the truth is, many of the most valuable skills don’t come with a certificate or a job title. They come from life.
Getting Started with Volunteering: A Step-by-Step Guide
Volunteering is often described as a way of giving back. But for many people, especially in their sixties and beyond, it is also a way of moving forward. A new rhythm. A fresh purpose. A way of staying connected to the world in a meaningful, human way. And yet, for those thinking about volunteering for the first time, or returning to it after years away, the first question is often a simple one. Where do I begin?
Why Volunteering Feels Good
There are many reasons people give their time to volunteer. Sometimes it begins with a sense of duty. Sometimes with curiosity. Sometimes it comes from a need to fill the space left by retirement, or from the desire to meet new people, or to put long-held skills to use. But whatever draws someone in, what often keeps them going is something harder to define. A quiet feeling that this matters. That this is good for the soul.
Volunteering from Home
Not everyone who wants to give their time is in a position to leave the house regularly. For some, it’s a matter of health or mobility. For others, it’s about energy, managing long-term conditions, recovering from illness, or simply recognising that full days out are no longer as easy as they once were. But that doesn’t mean the desire to contribute goes away. And the good news is, it doesn’t have to.
Finding the Right Fit: Matching Your Skills to Volunteering Roles
One of the most common hesitations people have when thinking about volunteering is wondering what they really have to offer. It’s easy to look at a list of opportunities and think, I’ve never done that before, or I wouldn’t know where to start. But the truth is, many of the most valuable skills don’t come with a certificate or a job title. They come from life.
Your First Day as a Volunteer
The first day of anything new can stir up all sorts of feelings. Even when you know you’ve made the right decision, even when the people seem kind and the place feels welcoming, there’s still that flicker of uncertainty. Will I know what to do? Will I fit in? Will I be any help at all?
