How do older volunteers feel?

I volunteer because I need something 'to hang my week on'. And, otherwise I would just go shopping or out for lunch.

I have volunteering for most of my married life and always for something in which I have an interest. My last two roles were with Witness Service, following a very positive experience had by my DiL when giving evidence in Court, and Alzheimer's Society after the husbands of 2 friends were diagnosed and they felt abandoned until they contacted AS.

A barrier to my volunteering would be if I thought I was going to be 'upset' by what was involved or if I thought I would be out of my depth.

I am not happy volunteering at night on a regular basis.

Helping to improve the situation of the people I came into contact with is what I hope I do.

In my last two roles my ability to chat to and, more importantly, listen to the people using the service is what I bring.

The best thing about my volunteering is that I really look forward to it. I have had a few false starts but have soon realised when a role isn't for me and left and looked for something else.

It is important that the organisation has complete clarity when dealing with volunteers with regard to what is expected, what isn't, who their line manager is, volunteer engagement, expenses policy etc.

Hope this helps.

I picked a volunteering opportunity which involved things I enjoyed. I help to run a voluntary library and information centre. I love books so I enjoy helping.
I wouldn't choose to be involved in anything too physical now or which was technology based. I would like to help rescued dogs but the refuge is too far away to be practicable.
Financial considerations are important, volunteers don't want to be spending a lot on travel to get to their organisation.

I agree about travel costs Christine, and working unsociable hours, although I used to do hospital visiting on Sunday evenings. (I came away feeling so sad for those people so sick with no visitors.) Becoming emotionally attached is a problem for me I discovered and that's why I decided not to work with animal charities as a pet-stroker. I did enquire and do half a day. I wanted to take all the stray dogs and cats home with me. I now donate old blankets, towels and food. I am better in administrative roles really as a receptionist and I have also been elected to several committees to 'have a say' and be involved in the organisation of things. I still feel visiting in old folks homes would be helpful and I have also considered being a voluntary driver to take people without transport to and from hospital. My problem now I am retired is being slightly less flexible in terms of time because OH has retired. We tend to do things on a whim and depending on the weather, but if I have commitments to charities I like to honour them.

I think the most successful volunteer mix from both sides is where the volunteer has an interest in and is comfortable with the aims of the project and how it works. It’s a two way street, volunteers give their time and expertise but should reasonably expect ‘job satisfaction’ . I’m about to move on from a voluntary role because I am frankly bored and feel very unsupported. I can align myself with the purpose of the organisation but am uncomfortable with much of the day to day working practices.

Clarity of expectation from both sides and an accurate understanding of the parameters of the role before the volunteer begins helps. An awareness that volunteers of any age may not be overly confident with new situations so a proper induction and explanation of what is expected.

If it’s a role where volunteers might listen to and hear distressing or difficult issues then a chance to offload if necessary. This could be on an ad hoc basis or from a regular ‘supervision’. It’s important it can be provided without fuss.

Keep volunteers interested. If there are boring tasks make sure they are shared round.

Consider the physical and emotional needs of a volunteer. Older volunteers may come with physical limitations. It helps if these are quietly taken into account without any awkwardness. Some volunteers live alone and appreciate contact with others, others appreciate a solitary role.

Travel expenses can be a cause of awkwardness. Good practice encourages the payment of out of pocket expenses, not everyone wants to claim but it is vital that there is a simple, non discriminatory method. My preference is that there is a simple system that everyone uses - what the volunteer then does with their expenses is up to them but no one should feel uncomfortable if they couldn’t volunteer without having out of pocket expenses reimbursed.

I’m actually comfortable with anti social hours volunteering, we’re all different. I appreciate a setting where I can learn something new, so patient people around me are more than useful!

Many organisations would struggle without the input of volunteers. Sometimes a simple thank you at the end of a session is forgotten, it’s a shame because a thank you goes a long way.

I’m sure none of this is new to you kaycee, hope it helps a bit though.

Before I came to France (aged 65) I volunteered for various things - I missed being busy with my previous career. Driving to hospital appts., visiting the elderly at home, visiting mentally sick in hospital etc.
One job was in a day centre for the elderly, helping to serve their mid-day meal. I found that some of the people I helped were older than me!
At that time, (I think), a new regulation came in, that to be a volunteer helper you had to be accredited and meet certain criteria. It nearly put me off altogether.
In fact I backed out of another volunteer job in a shop selling for a charity.
Another trend I found at that time was that young people were more likely to expect to be paid for 'voluntary' work.

My age is completely irrelevant to my volunteering.
What made or would make you decide to volunteer?
I have no idea. I have been a volunteer in some form or another almost my whole adult life and my approach in my 70s is the same as it was when I was in my 20s: a cause I am interested in supporting, in a role relevant to my experience and interests that is a good fit for my normal life.
How would you go about picking an organisation to volunteer with?
I have never 'picked ' an organisation to volunteer with. The right one has always appeared at the right time. When my children were young I volunteered with organisations that provided for or helped them. I have volunteered for my church and the political party I support. Since retiring I have worked for what was Age Concern, a several heritage organisations and recently, SSAFA.
What would be a barrier to volunteering for you?
What would put you off or worry you about ^volunteering?
I will answer these two together, the answer to both is nothing.
However I do have a constraint, and that is that I cannot, for myriad reasons, commit to a regular weekly volunteer slot, but over the last 20 years I have volunteered for charities where my work has been client based so that I contact the client and arrange a mutually convenient meeting time, which is slotted around my other commitments
What would you hope to get out of it?
As with a job, job satisfaction. The knowledge that I am helping people or a cause that needs help.
What do you think you could bring to the organisation?
What I have always brought are my work skills in information retrieval and dissemination working at a personal level with the information seekers, usually as a benefits/adviser/problem solver.

The question you haven't asked and should have is:
What do organisations have to do to keep their volunteers?
Well, training is one thing and the other and most important is proper back up and support. I have just given up volunteering with a charity doing work I enjoyed because they have a particularly complicated and arcane computer system that did not work well on my computer. All that was needed was one person who knew the system to spend half a day with me sorting the problems out and bringing me up to speed on its little idiosyncrasies. But in over a year of asking that has never happened. I finally got fed up of asking and my computer problems were causing problems for my clients so I resigned and am looking for something else to do.

Good post corner! I like the part about learning something new which is why I like mixing with people in any role I undertake. People are amazing and fascinating.

I was part of the team that took control of the village library when it was threatened with closure and while it was worthwhile and satisfying it got to be quite boring just being on the committee.

Hello Kaycee..
I am considering volunteering right now.
This is because I have cut my work hours right down and don't have much family around me, so feel it will give me a purpose to my week but also give something to a charity or service. I do go away quite a lot to see family, so need something quite flexible.
I am looking at organisations, that I am interested in, but that can be flexible too. I adore animals, so am looking at perhaps an animal sanctuary or RSPCA near me. I have worked in the NHS though in a caring role, and feel I may also look at something with older people who are lonely, as they are often forgotten.
A barrier to me is actually making the contact and fearing rejection! I have seen people here have said they have applied and heard nothing back! Which is rude but also hurtful. I also do not want to over commit and then have to let them down.
I don't think anything would put me off volunteering, it is just taking that first leap to start!
I would hope to derive some satisfaction from it by helping a charity or group, but also to make some new friends with people who have a common interest.
I have a lot of life experience as do most of us older people, so combining that with time is what I can give to a charity.
A friend of mine goes to a Volunteering fayre each year in her area. This is an excellent idea. Lots of charities are there with lots of info. Sadly we do not have that in this area. That would be a great way for people to explore different charities and talk to people and make sure they get their volunteering role right!
Good Luck.

I'm enjoying volunteering for Beanstalk which provides 1:1 support for reading in schools. Twice a week I go to a local school and spend 30 minutes each with 3 six year olds.
Training and support is provided, as is a box filled with appropriate books and games. It's useful and it's fun.
Some, but by no means all, volunteers have teaching experience. Beanstalk is nationwide and always looking for more volunteers.

Not all organisations know how to treat volunteers. I was volunteered by my DiL to sort out the school library at the primary school where she works.

It was in total chaos and took me the whole of the Autumn Term going in for several hours a week to put it into some kind of order, rescue damaged books and repair them, place stickers on books that related to their subject, and charts on the walls so books could easily be located.

Not once in the three months did anyone come in to see how it was progressing, nor offer me a cup of tea. Not once did I get a ‘thank you’ or any acknowledgment of the work I had done. In fact I came, I sorted and I went unobtrusively and they probably thought the Library Fairy had been in.

So last week I simply phoned the school and left a message with one of the admin staff saying I wouldn’t be in any more. No explanation.

I did this to please my DiL (a TA) and help the ‘school’ but I really felt annoyed. So, I have better things to do with my time.

OldMeg - It sounds as if you did the school a huge favour in giving the library some much needed tlc. I know some schools are more welcoming and appreciative than others but you certainly deserved better.
You saved the school money and effort and I'm surprised the senior staff member with responsibility for the library didn't acknowledge your kindness. I hope DiL told you what a good job you did. You deserve a treat! ??

The staff member with ‘responsibility’ for the library was a Y6 teacher and her room was directly opposite. As I was there until 4.00pm at least once a week she could easily have popped her head in to say ‘Hi!’

DiL hasn’t mentioned it at all. She probably thinks I’m still going in. I think I’ll mention it to DS sometime soon.

Thanks for your reply Elrel. The irony is I have organised courses myself on how to get the best from volunteers ?

Elrel - the Beanstalk organisation is something I would like to volunteer for. When we return (PG ) next month.
Can you give a link, please?

my volunteering has to be something I can do reasonably well. I have specific skills to offer but the charity that could use them, AgeUK ,does not operate in my area for lack of funding from the local authority. I have thought of putting an ad in the local paper to advertise my service but that may be risky for me; I'd really need a go-between such as a charity so as to screen and sort applicants. Old people are as various as young people and have different needs and requirements. Volunteers need matching to recipients.

Fennel:
www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/

Thanks

What made or would make you decide to volunteer?
Having given up paid work I wanted to continue using my skills and be helpful.

How would you go about picking an organisation to volunteer with?
Have a look at its governance arrangements and if others like working with them.
What would be a barrier to volunteering for you?
Having to go a long distance from home.
What would put you off or worry you about volunteering?
Some of the other volunteers usually and being given the boring things to do.
What would you hope to get out of it? Some new skills and some new friends.
What do you think you could bring to the organisation? The skills I learnt in my professional life.

Thank you all for your comments, really useful.
Alexa have you looked on Do-it-org where you can find volunteer opportunities in your area, or do you have a local volunteer centre who would be able to place you in an ideal volunteer role? Good luck

I too have had a negative volunteering experience. It was at a day care dementia group. Something close to my heart. i was the only volunteer and somewhat older than the paid staff.
To my surprise they ignored me unless they were giving me orders while they chatted amongst themselves.
I gave a day a week for 9 months and for most of that time i never felt part of things so I left. No one from the organisation contacted me to asked why. Or to thank me.

I posted on a previous thread about volunteering. I had approached my local primary school, and after a long silence they finally accepted me. Albeit in an out door classroom. Many posters said I was being taken advantage of. No one has ever asked me what my specialities are. I have taught in primary schools for 30 years, and have expertise in literacy and art. I had assumed I would help in the classroom. No one has given me a timetable, holiday dates, etc. So I have to keep asking.
However the teacher and another volunteer I work with are wonderful. I shall stay to the end of this academic year and the consider again. Volunteering should work both ways and at the moment I feel I am just another pair of hands

I have done lots of volunteering over the years and the only thing i cant cope with is bodily fluids so i cant do personal care. I retch at bad breaths or farts etc to say nothing of incontinence. The only downside for me was i felt that some of the paid staff were a bit snooty but they were a minority. I would do volunteering again if i had the time or was retired

I volunteered as an Appropriate Adult for a couple of years. I gained a vast appreciation of the difficulty of police work around children and vulnerable adults, however I began to feel that because my time was free, it was therefore considered of no value. I was expected to attend the police station and sit around for hours waiting for the important, i.e. paid, professionals such as lawyers and relevant police officers to turn up when they were ready.

I may consider doing something else, providing it was day time only. I would be interested in beanstalk, but I seem to be in one part of the country where it doesn't work.

I’ve just got my 10 year badge for volunteering for the RVS and am quite oroud of it. Replies as follows if any help.

I wanted to put something back at he hospital that treated me for breast cancer and the opportunity arose with RVS.

Barriers would be if I felt uncomfortable for any reason.

For me I wanted to feel useful after leaving paid work and the company and friendship of other older people.

I think I bring friendship to others and love to chat and pass time/help people who need it. Win win situation.

Volunteering is a cleft stick.
I have volunteered for many years and the most rewarding is when everyone is a volunteer, e.g. brownies, cubs and scouts etc. A hinge amount of satisfaction is achieved by this route.
I have helped in infant schools, ok, parent teachers group, ok, disabled children, rewarding but such hard work, driving for people with no transport to appointments, totally used.
I could go on.
You need to discriminate and decide where your talents and charitability are best appreciated
Do not take a paid job from someone who needs it and where the charity could pay, I have done that but soon realised I was being exploited.