Around two in five adults in the UK do some kind of voluntary work. At least, that was the figure pre-pandemic.
During COVID-19 the number of people who gave up their free time to help others soared. And now it’s even easier to volunteer post-lockdown, it wouldn’t be beyond the pale to believe the figure has jumped to three in five adults.
Older people benefit most from volunteering
A recent study for the University of Central London (UCL) suggests that the positive effects of volunteering can last for up to a decade. Not only that, but it has shown that older people benefit from volunteering more than any other age group.
It’s not difficult to see why, of course. Once you get into the retirement stage you end up with a lot more time on your hands. You’re probably also looking for a bit of structure to your week.
There’s also the fact that those who live alone through divorce or the death of a partner, benefit from the contact with others that volunteering brings. You’ll meet new friends, for starters.
Striking up new relationships and meeting others results in mental health benefits and, of course, there are physical benefits to most volunteering activities too (even just getting from A to B means leaving the house and walking). But there are other less-obvious benefits from volunteering at an older age that you’re sure to get a kick out of as well.
Additional benefits to volunteering
- It helps boost your brain. A Swedish study showed that those who volunteered in older life were less likely to complain of cognitive difficulties and even showed a lower risk for dementia.
- It gives you purpose. Not only that, but volunteering can prove a motivating factor for other parts of your life. You also end up feeling part of a team with a shared goal.
- It cuts through the generation gap. When volunteering you’ll mix with teenagers and young adults as well as retirees. That’s a great way to keep young at heart. Youngsters in turn, will no doubt benefit from your experience and tales.
- You’ll learn new skills. Never worked in retail before? Help out in a charity shop and you may just find you’re great at window dressing or have an eye for an outfit.
- You’ll end up with more time. How? Well, because you’re volunteering you’ll make sure you get your other errands done. In other words, you accomplish more in the same period of time.
What types of volunteering are there?
Obviously, you’re more likely to enjoy volunteering if you’re doing something your love or it’s an activity that you have a real passion for. Gardening is one of those activities, so too is leading a walking group or teaching young children, adults or immigrants to read.
It’s best if you work out beforehand how much time you can afford to give as a volunteer. There’s no point doing too much and getting stressed out as that will detract from the benefits it brings.
The types of volunteering out there are certainly plentiful and varied. They include dog walking for the elderly or ill, working in a charity shop, helping out at food bank, working as a museum guide, running people to and from hospital appointments, teaching English to a refugee, acting as a mentor to an older child or teenager etc.
Actually, you don’t even have to leave your home to become a volunteer…
Volunteer activities from home
- Crafting. If you knit or crochet then many charities, such as those sending clothes and bedding overseas, or organisations helping the homeless, can always do with knitted blankets, crocheted hats and scarfs etc.
- Writing. Penpals are always in big demand from certain organisations. You could write to a child from abroad, one who is ill in hospital, or someone who is lonely and housebound right here in the UK. And talking of loneliness…
- Chatting. Telephone befriending has become a popular volunteering choice in recent years.After all, cheering up someone’s day by making them feel less lonely and isolated is a lovely way to spend 30 minutes or more.
Find out about current volunteer opportunities in your area here.
