Using Volunteering to Build a New Future Over 50 Birmingham
Traditionally, the over 50s are associated with volunteering but this isn’t just something that you should consider only when you have completely ‘retired’ and no longer want or need to undertake any paid work. Volunteering can be a great way of learning new skills, and boosting your confidence and your network of contacts, as this article explains.
British Israel World Federation Non Jewish
0121-777 5536
0121-777 5536
118 Woodlands Rd
Birmingham
Birmingham
The Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Support Project
01902 444076
01902 444076
2nd Floor St. Johns Ho, St. Johns Sq
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council Ltd
01902 773761
01902 773761
16 Temple Street
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Terrence Higgins Trust Midlands
024 76229292
024 76229292
10 Manor Road
Coventry
Coventry
Victim Support Coventry
024 76839950
024 76839950
Rockfern House 25 Queens Road
Coventry
Coventry
Non Standard Socket Screws Ltd
0121-515 0121
0121-515 0121
358-364 Farm St
Birmingham
Birmingham
Wolverhampton Elder Asians & Disabled Group
01902 448552
01902 448552
Unit 3 Bsns Cntr Temple St
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton Volunteer Sector Council
01902 714071
01902 714071
16 Temple St
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
College of Pharmacy Practice
024 76221359
024 76221359
28 Warwick Row
Coventry
Coventry
National Playing Fields Association
024 76222308
024 76222308
12 Park Rd
Coventry
Coventry
Using Volunteering to Build a New Future Over 50
Whether you’ve been out of the workplace for some time and are trying to get back, or you have a job but are seeking a change of direction, or indeed you have ceased paid work entirely, volunteering can be a great way of maintaining and increasing your involvement in mainstream society.
Not only can it be a route to actively learning or updating your skills, it can also open the door to improved confidence, and can help you develop some interesting and potentially beneficial new relationships.
For example you may be finding difficulty getting a job (perhaps because of issues which you perceive are related to your age) but you’re sure to find that organisations seeking volunteers will find you extremely attractive.
That’s because older people - who these days are still very fit and active, mentally and physically - have distinct advantages. For example, they:
• Have experienced life over many years and in many different arenas, enabling them to develop informed opinions on many different subjects.
• Have built up knowledge, skills and insights through work, through family relationships and through social interests.
• Tend to be hard-working, meticulous and conscientious
• Have the presence, and can gain the respect that comes with maturity and often tend, therefore, to be good leaders
A win-win situation
Many unpaid posts are just as diverse, challenging and demanding as paid jobs, so can provide you with a bank of solid, impressive, relevant experience on which to base your applications for ‘proper’ employment – a real plus if you feel your CV is otherwise sadly lacking.
Regardless of where you live, your gender, education level, or any other variable, the range of opportunities for volunteering is endless.
It only needs a little imagination and effort on your part together with a commitment to devote a regular amount of time in the future. In relation to the latter, it helps if you have a real interest and personal commitment to the activity you’re undertaking, so you need to think fairly hard at the outset about the types of thing you’re prepared to do (or not do), are capable of doing, and you feel have real benefits both for others and yourself.
Click here to read more from in my prime about volunteering over 50
Not only can it be a route to actively learning or updating your skills, it can also open the door to improved confidence, and can help you develop some interesting and potentially beneficial new relationships.
For example you may be finding difficulty getting a job (perhaps because of issues which you perceive are related to your age) but you’re sure to find that organisations seeking volunteers will find you extremely attractive.
That’s because older people - who these days are still very fit and active, mentally and physically - have distinct advantages. For example, they:
• Have experienced life over many years and in many different arenas, enabling them to develop informed opinions on many different subjects.
• Have built up knowledge, skills and insights through work, through family relationships and through social interests.
• Tend to be hard-working, meticulous and conscientious
• Have the presence, and can gain the respect that comes with maturity and often tend, therefore, to be good leaders
A win-win situation
Many unpaid posts are just as diverse, challenging and demanding as paid jobs, so can provide you with a bank of solid, impressive, relevant experience on which to base your applications for ‘proper’ employment – a real plus if you feel your CV is otherwise sadly lacking.
Regardless of where you live, your gender, education level, or any other variable, the range of opportunities for volunteering is endless.
It only needs a little imagination and effort on your part together with a commitment to devote a regular amount of time in the future. In relation to the latter, it helps if you have a real interest and personal commitment to the activity you’re undertaking, so you need to think fairly hard at the outset about the types of thing you’re prepared to do (or not do), are capable of doing, and you feel have real benefits both for others and yourself.
Click here to read more from in my prime about volunteering over 50