I have been volunteering since 1999, when I lost my company in the last recession. You could say, I'm a self starter and generate my own volunteering roles. I managed to get Government sponsorship for a self help intitiative to assist other professionals, and managers, in the same situation as I found myself in back then. I started my education at 52, gaining many qualifications since, having left school with none, now specialising in Dyslexia and other SpLds, and business development. I generally volunteer by setting something up e.g a new organisation, or help smaller ones grow, by campaigning, P.R. and community engagement and with those who can make a difference, especially things that effect everyday lives. From time to time, I am fortunate enough for these roles to turn into paid employment, which unfortunately I cannot do without, as my only income is my state pension, but I feel, that by continuing my personal development and education, one of my current roles will do just that. At the moment one of my roles is Vice Chair of the Northants 50+ Network, and am engaged in various Government initiatives, both county wide and national with issues that effect older people, e.g. East Midlands Later Life Forum/Employment group and Advice & Guidance. In this capacity I am also an activities and events co-ordinator for over 50's. In addition to that, I am heavily involved in capacity building with my county Dyslexia Association, where I volunteer as a helpline operative, deliver dyslexia awareness to the community and employers, and grant applications (just obtained an ESF grant for a project to help unemployed dyslexics - I am a qaulified careers adviser) At the moment I work 24/7 for five different organisations, all voluntary,and often without being able to recoup expenses but I do feel, that as has happened in the past, I will be able to get some income soon. Unfortunately, I am unable to apply for jobs, as experience has shown that when you are way past retirement age, you are in effect 'unemployable' However, I could not possibly envisage giving up volunteering, as it is both challenging, rewarding,(so part-time employment would be the only option) and who knows what it can lead to?
Do you have a section for 'Older Volunteers'? If not - could we have one? We're fast becoming the majority of the population, so I'm sure it's the same in the voluntary sector. I belong to most of my County VCS Forums, and the majory of the people who attend these, are definitely over 50, which is the Governments definition of 'older people' In the mean time, Happy Vounteering everyone

Posted by Pam Tomalin on January 31, 2010 at 09:05 AM GMT+00:00 #

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