One Good Reason
Dame Joan Harbison (Older People’s Advocate); Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA; Wendy Osborne (Director of the Volunteer Development Agency)
The Volunteer Development Agency has recently launched their ‘One Good Reason’ campaign which encourages those from older age groups to volunteer. The campaign showcases real local volunteers who love what they do and want to encourage their peers to get involved too.
The most common and effective way for people to become involved in volunteering is by word of mouth, the project is encouraging those who already enjoy volunteering to tell their friends why they do it and ask them what their ‘One Good Reason’ could be. Those interested can check out the website www.volunteernow.co.uk where they can browse through some of the thousands of opportunities that are available across Northern Ireland. Here they can also find out details on when the next taster session event will take place in their area where they can come along and find out more about what volunteering is, chat to existing volunteers and learn a bit more about what’s out there without feeling they have to make a commitment there and then. There are fifteen volunteer centres across Northern Ireland that match up volunteers with organisations in their local area. People can reach their local centre by calling the local rate number 0845 652 6065 where an experienced staff member can help find the right opportunity that suits their interests and circumstances.
A study by the Agency in 2007 revealed that those over 65 are the age group least likely to volunteer and 21% said they felt ‘too old to volunteer’, this is a perception that the campaign wants to challenge by showing that volunteering is a fantastic way for people to make and maintain social links and pass on the wealth of skills and experience they have built up over the years to benefit themselves, their community and society at large. Volunteering has also been shown to have a positive effect on the health of older volunteers and provide opportunities for then to remain active physically and mentally.
By highlighting the variety of different opportunities available from more traditional roles such as in charity shops and the church through to opportunities such as working with animals, young people and the environment the project hopes to show people that there should be something for everyone, whether it involves putting into practice existing skills and experience or seeing volunteering as a chance to try something new.
Above all volunteering should be ‘fun, satisfying and on your terms’ and organisations must be aware that although people may be retired they still may have caring and family commitments and a busy and active lifestyle that volunteering has to be able to fit around.
Organisations who want to improve their practice and ability to attract .and support older volunteers can avail of free training as part of Age Awareness Week. Details can be found on www.volunteering-ni.org and www.ageawarenessweek.com. Early next year the project will commence with an exciting research study, the first of its kind in Ireland, measuring the impact of volunteering on the self rated health of older volunteers. Organisations keen to take part can email Christine@volunteering-ni.org.
The One Good Reason campaign is part of the Unlocking Potential Project funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and delivered by the Volunteer Development Agency in conjunction with VSB and the North West Volunteer Centre.
