Using Volunteering to Build a New Future Over 50 Kingston
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.
PARKINSONS DISEASE SOCIETY
0800 8000303
0800 8000303
215 VAUXHALL BRIDGE ROAD
LONDON
LONDON
SOLDIER', SAILORS' AND AIRMEN' FAMILIES ASSOCIATION AND FORCES HELP SOCIETY
0845 1300975
0845 1300975
19 QUEEN ELIZABETH STREET
LONDON
LONDON
Alzheimers Society
01900 607280
01900 607280
Ann Burrow Thomas Health Centr
Workington
Workington
West Cumbria Trades Hall Centre For The Unemployed
01900 61874
01900 61874
39 Brow Top
Workington
Workington
Cumbria Deaf Association
01946 852888
01946 852888
41 Monk Wray Court
Whitehaven
Whitehaven
CONTACT THE ELDERLY
01661 842349
01661 842349
15 HENRIETTA STREET
LONDON
LONDON
Akshaya Patra Foundation UK
03003659935
03003659935
Broadgate West Phase II,
London
London
Sure Start West Allerdale
01946 66093
01946 66093
West Strand
Whitehaven
Whitehaven
National Trust
017687 81921
017687 81921
Stable Hills Cottage
Keswick
Keswick
The Oaklea Trust
01539 735025
01539 735025
Wattfield Lane
Kendal
Kendal
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