News and Community
Beyond 50 Magazine
Time to give
Giving time to a community organisation is a terrific opportunity for people over 50 to use their lifetime of skills and experience.
Volunteers are a powerful force in our society. A 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics study reveals that 5.2 million Australians contribute an incredible 713 million hours to voluntary activities every year. Not only does our community benefit from this but also, volunteers themselves can expand their social networks, learn new skills and gain experience. As people over 50 begin a new phase of their lives – perhaps prompted by retirement, divorce or need for a ‘sea change’ – many are drawn towards voluntary work. |
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In not-for-profit fields as diverse as conservation, fundraising and emergency services, the talents and broad experience of older volunteers are greatly valued.
“It is rare for organisations to request volunteers of a specific age, but there is certainly a great need for older people with skills, time and experience in all areas,” says Elouise Holmes, Communications Officer at Volunteering Victoria.
She notes that the newly retired tend to have higher expectations in terms of volunteering roles than seniors. “This may be a result of their recent departure from paid jobs in companies where processes tend to run more precisely and efficiently,” says Ms Holmes. Depending on the individual, some prefer to use skills they have developed in their professional lives whereas others want a complete change of scene.
“While it is useful to conduct an inventory of skills and match the needs that are advertised, others may want to think radically and consider a departure from skills they used in their previous careers,” Ms Holmes explains.
Old skills, new skills
Librarian Edwina Lampitt is one volunteer who found that, after a 40-year stint in the UK raising her family, a new life on the high seas was the perfect change. Edwina has volunteered on the Enterprize, Melbourne’s tall ship, since 2002. The replica ship operates largely as a living history experience and sail-training vessel for schools and companies around Victoria.
Discovering a talent for teaching, Edwina reveals this is one role she never thought would interest her.
“I didn’t think I should volunteer for them,” says Edwina, “because I’m 60-plus, and I’d never sailed in my life. But when I got on board, it was love at first sight. I also love history, so that side of it really appealed to me.”
The Enterprize attracts volunteers from all walks of life but is particularly popular among retirees with applicable skills and plenty of free time.
“At our age, we’ve seen so many changes, and here we have this beautiful ship and can go out and explore new territory,” says Edwina.
“You can learn skills and get tremendous companionship from working in a team. Of course, young people like it for those reasons as well. But it is something that takes you away from all the things that may hassle you in the modern world.”
Edwina admits that volunteering on the Enterprize can be a considerable commitment, with her roles now extending to history educator, cook, committee member as well as deckhand.
“A lot of people have a regular routine when they retire, but the Enterprize might sail any day,” she says.
“The problem for some is that you can’t schedule it at the same time every week.”
Edwina’s experiences show how the range of volunteer opportunities available is limited only by a person’s interests and drive, never their age.
“Everyone has a different set of experiences that would be valuable to organisations, along with a variety of circumstances in life that impact upon one’s ability to volunteer,” states Ms Holmes.
She suggests that potential volunteers need to ask themselves what kind of job would suit their lifestyle, their skills and their temperament. “You need to ask what you would like to get out of it, how much time you can give, if you are willing to learn new skills and if you would be comfortable in a totally new work environment.”
Prepared for anything
For the over-50s, the transition to volunteering often comes about through using professional skills in a role where the objectives are social rather than economic. Experienced HIV/AIDS educator and health worker Norman Radican found this was the case when the chance arose to use his existing skills overseas. In 2006, Australian Volunteers International (AVI) offered him a two-year posting with The AIDS Information and Support Centre (TASC), in Swaziland.
The then 57-year-old was initially hired to train local medical staff. However, after some film equipment was donated to TASC, he found himself promoted to director, editor and presenter of his own TV show.
“It was a massive learning curve,” he states. “I had no prior experience in media, but two days into my assignment I was in the countryside filming a show on HIV/AIDS issues.”
Remarkably, it became the most popular show on Swazi television, and made Norman instantly recognisable on the streets of the tiny country. His major challenges lay, not in adapting to a new culture, but in the day-to-day confrontation with sick and dying people.
“I knew I couldn’t change the whole culture or the country but I wanted to make a bit of difference,” he says. “Sometimes I’d wake up and say ‘what’s the point?’ But then, somebody would be waiting outside to greet me with a morning song.”
Norman recommends that international volunteers should understand the job description often changes once they arrive and that a flexible attitude is the key to success.
“The interview with AVI was pretty casual. They’re looking more for your outlook, your spontaneity and adaptability. You have to be open and flexible, and your skills base has to reflect that. You have to deal with anything that comes your way.”
His outlook is common to many volunteers, who enjoy using their expertise in a new role. But in the world of volunteering, it’s not just saving the world that counts. From a one-off fundraising role to collecting rubbish every week or, like Edwina, devoting your time to a cause, every little bit takes a difference.
“If you want it to, volunteering can rule your life,” says Edwina. “But the more you give to it, the more it gives back.”
Volunteering: Where do I start?
The SEEK Volunteer website
www.volunteer.com.au and the not-for-profit site Go Volunteer www.govolunteer.com.au are essential resources for getting started in volunteering.
Volunteering Australia
www.volunteeringaustralia.org provides a broad overview of what to expect, special requirements such as police checks, training requirements and insurance, and directs you to organisations in each state.
VolunteerMatch
www.volunteermatch.com.au is the online search engine for Pro Bono Australia, a group dedicated to matching skilled professionals with not-for-profit organisations.
Conservation Volunteers Australia
www.conservationvolunteers.com.au offers opportunities nationally and throughout New Zealand. Members can tend organic gardens, help rejuvenate national parks, be involved in wildlife surveys and more.
Australian Volunteers International
www.australianvolunteers.com recruits volunteers at the request of partner organisations overseas and within remote Australia. AVI helps manage development projects focused on reducing poverty, providing health and education services and promoting human rights.