If you think volunteering means making tea or stuffing envelopes, then think again. How about being a pet minder? Or a radio producer? Or a ‘toad warden’ helping migrating toads cross the road?

Why should I volunteer?

As Moira Swinbank chief executive of the volunteers' organisation TimeBank puts it: " Volunteering has many benefits - from making friends, learning a new skill, experiencing something completely different, or putting your knowledge to good use."

There are already more than six million fifty-somethings who volunteer to help others.

"Older volunteers have a wealth of experience and are fantastic assets for a charity that needs help," says Kate Hill of VITA (Volunteering Initiative in the Third Age).

What can I do as a volunteer?

Almost everything from knitting blankets, abseiling, being a trustee of a charity, helping prisoners' families to fundraising for the Wild Trout Society.

How much time will it take up?

The good news for those who have demands on their time, like grandchildren, or just one more holiday, is that volunteering is now incredibly flexible.

You can give one weekend a year to an environment project or meet four times a year as a trustee of a children's charity.

Some commitment is long term and full-time, such as a two year overseas posting through Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), but otherwise you can do as little or as much as you like.

You can do volunteer work during the day, the night, or at weekends. You can even be a virtual volunteer doing research over the internet or building a website.

Do I need qualifications?

It varies. Some work may require specific skills,such as an emergency cartographer who produces maps in the wake of natural disasters for relief workers.

But social care or listening to school children read, demand only ‘life experience.’

The best organisations, says Andy Forster of Volunteering England, will offer support and training, and "will look at an individual's motivation to volunteer and match them with an appropriate opportunity."

He adds that volunteering can mean new beginnings. "Often the last thing you want to do is something you spent years being paid to do."

Some charities such as Voluntary Service Overseas require volunteers to have "a professional background" like engineering, teaching, business and management, but it doesn't have to be recent.

Women who haven't worked since having children, are still in demand, says Leona Daly spokesperson for VSO, "as long as they have a professional past."

What am I entitled to?

Any expenses should be re-imbursed - travel to and from the place of volunteering; food, and a caring allowance may be offered, if the volunteer is a carer for a dependant spouse or relative who can't be left on their own.

Are there any age restrictions? "The only restriction should be on an individual's ability to perform a task and that has nothing to do with age," says, Andy Forster.

Nevertheless, some organisations, have arbitrary age limits, citing problems in getting older volunteers insured to drive. But Forster says: "this is discriminatory and unfair and they should not be doing it. Let us know if that is happening."

What if I volunteer then discover I don't enjoy it?

There are no obligations for you to continue if you're unhappy, although volunteering groups advise that you talk first to the organisation you are working for before giving up.

How do I find out more about volunteering?

Several bodies exist to match volunteers with voluntary organisations.

TimeBank is a national volunteering charity offering general information on volunteering and details of the 350 local volunteer centers in England - the job centre equivalent for volunteering - and the best place to start. You can also register on their website to be matched with opportunities of interest in your area.

The Community Service Volunteers, the UK's leading volunteering organisation, has a retired and senior volunteer programme (RSVP) specifically aimed at the over-50s.

There are currently over 10,000 RSVP volunteers working on a range of projects that include knitting trauma teddies and serving soup for the homeless.

VITA aims to raise the profile of older volunteers, especially those over the age of 65, through the "V" Word Campaign. Co-ordinated by WRVS, and national volunteering charity, Time Bank, the website offers information and case histories "to challenge perception of ageing."

Volunteering England, the national volunteering development agency. offers volunteering opportunities and advice on how to manage volunteers.

The VSO are very keen on older volunteers as 20 per cent of their volunteers are over 50 - "they have lots of skills we want."

Intervol offers information about volunteering overseas with facility to tailor-make a placement - eg, area of interest, length of ti wme, country.

Get on Board provides information about being a trustee, which is popularith older people who can offer life/professional experience.

Real Parents gives information on being a home-visiting volunteer. Experience as a parent is essential.

Time Together is a refugee mentoring scheme

Befriending and Mentoring campaigns to promote all types of voluntary work.

13 Days, run by TimeBank, offers information on all types of hospice volunteering.

Written by Sally Williams

This article was created: 21 July 2006.
This article was last edited: 13 November 2006.

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