Good practice guidelines apply to all volunteers. These guidelines were developed in
response to the fact that older people are still under-represented in volunteering.
Volunteering benefits the individual and the organisation with which they are working.
Many older volunteers offer:
To involve older volunteers organisations need to recognise the barriers that they may
face. These barriers include:
· fear of being pressurised into commitment
· lack of awareness about the range of voluntary opportunities available
· lack of expenses provision
· insurers imposing age restrictions
· worry about being asked to do too much
· lack of access to buildings or appropriate facilities
· concerns about health or abilities
· transport difficulties
· lack of self-confidence
Your organisation can help to overcome these barriers, by tackling four key areas:
Publicity
· Ensure print is legible
· publicity should be available in other languages
· avoid patronising language
· show positive images of older people taking part in voluntary activity
· emphasise choice and flexibility