Why volunteer later in life?

Typically, as a volunteer you’ll be given the chance to…

• Develop a fresh sense of purpose
• Learn new skills and develop existing ones
• Meet like-minded people and make new friends
• Try new things outside of your comfort zone
• Give back to the community
• Gain a sense of achievement
• Improve your health by being more active
• Explore and have new adventures
• Build confidence

How much commitment is needed from me?

That entirely depends on what you want to do. You can choose how far you wish to travel and how many hours you want to volunteer. You might be looking to carry out a few hours a month of volunteering locally. Or perhaps you would love the opportunity to jet around the world for several months of the year, helping overseas. 

There’s such a wide range of opportunities to get involved that you really can choose something that’s right for you.

Is there an age limit?

Generally speaking, there is no upper age limit on volunteering. As long as you are fit to carry out the tasks relevant to the role, then there’s no reason why you can’t get involved. The words ‘use it or lose it’ come to mind, with many volunteers reporting an increase in energy levels after getting started.

Research from Reach Volunteering also shows that over-55s are the age group most dedicated to regular volunteering.

Will it cost me anything?

Most charities and organisations will pay part or all of your voluntary expenses (for example, travel and possibly lunch), so your choice to volunteer shouldn’t be restricted by a fear of cost.

Why not get started today?

There really is something for everyone and you may be surprised at the range of opportunities available. The hardest part can be identifying what you want to do. At Rest Less, we’ve tried to do the hard work for you by coming up with several areas of interest that you might want to explore. Get started today and see the difference you can make.