Val Bissland, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

Two days of intense focus on the various nuances of volunteering led to the award of a certificate for those completing the assignments in the SLIC project at the Centre. SLIC stands for Sustainable Learning in the Community and is one a number of initiatives funded by the European Commissions’ GRUNDTVIG programme for Lifelong Learning.

With a growing number of active older adults leaving the workplace, either in the natural course of things or as a result of the current recession, the prospect of 20 to 30 years ahead of good life has made volunteering an attractive option. Increasingly it is being seen, not only as a way of adding meaning and purpose to later life but also of making a real contribution to society – in other words, contributing to the social economy. Most volunteers would not articulate it in quite this way but they are, in fact, adding social capital through the gift of time and energy to a whole range of admirable causes.

The participants produced a profile of the many motivations for volunteers ranging from companionship and emotional health to making use of accumulated life experience and changing society for the better. Reservations about volunteering were also addressed and the importance of seeking out organisations that look after their volunteers, train them and see the relationship as one of partnership, was acknowledged. All participants, from experienced volunteers to novices, drew up a personal profile of the strengths, skills and experience they have to offer now and in the future.

A dedicated webpage is available on the Spring Into Life site with useful links including the Volunteer Centre Glasgow,  Volunteer Centre Network Scotland, Project Scotland,  where anyone can make an online search for current opportunities. You can also watch John Tesh’s short video clip – ‘Why volunteering is good for your health’. Did you know, for example, that volunteering releases the brain chemical oxytocin that reduces stress? Volunteer and live longer!