Using Volunteering to Build a New Future Over 50 Bradford
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.
NSPCC
0113 2292200
0113 2292200
FLOOR 2
LEEDS
LEEDS
Bradford Environmental Education Service
01274 741223
01274 741223
YmcA, Little Horton La
Bradford
Bradford
Human Relief Foundation
0870 0117112
0870 0117112
PO Box 194
Bradford
Bradford
Age Concern South Lakeland
01539 728118
01539 728118
Stricklandgate House
Kendal
Kendal
Cancer Research Uk
01228 512400
01228 512400
33-35 Bank Street
Carlisle
Carlisle
Bradford Youth Development Partnership
01274 201241
01274 201241
Woolston Ho Tetley St
Bradford
Bradford
Mcmillan Cancer Relief
01274 365905
01274 365905
Little Horton La
Bradford
Bradford
Reading Matters for Life
01274 692219
01274 692219
Po Box 500
Bradford
Bradford
Community Action For Egremont
01946 592189
01946 592189
9a Market Place
Egremont
Egremont
Outward Bound Trust
01768 485000
01768 485000
Watermillock
Penrith
Penrith
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