By Amy VanTorre
Volunteering in 2024 looks different from how we’ve traditionally pictured it, but one thing remains the same: It isn’t just good for the people you help, it’s good for your own health, too.
Just ask Peter Johansen, who volunteers at the Glebe Centre:
“If I didn’t volunteer, I’d be sitting at home doing nothing—and I really am the kind of person that wants to sit at home and do nothing. Having said that, it now becomes a joy to come every week.”
It’s well documented that, for mature adults, participation in community life has many benefits. “An active lifestyle can prolong independence, extend participation in the labour force and the community, help manage chronic illnesses and prevent poor health,” according to the 2010 Report of the National Seniors Council on Volunteering Among Seniors and Positive and Active Aging. This applies to both physical and mental health. Besides that, “research indicates that older men and women who had the most social interaction within their community had the slowest rate of memory decline.”
Of course, most people choose to volunteer for other reasons. Your biggest motivation for volunteering might be a desire to contribute to the community. You might also want to share your skills and experiences and giving back to an organization that has touched your life. But how do you find a way to get involved that fits into your lifestyle?
Volunteer Ottawa: Your Local Connector
This is where Volunteer Ottawa / Bénévoles Ottawa comes in. Volunteer Ottawa is your local volunteer centre, an independent charity and non-profit that connects people with hundreds of local organizations who need volunteers. Through its bilingual website and in-person community events, Volunteer Ottawa helps people find volunteer roles that fit their passions and the time they can give.
Anyone can visit volunteerottawa.ca to browse and apply for roles from hundreds of charities, non-profits and community organizations in the Ottawa region. Volunteer Ottawa also provides training and resources, such as the new, self-paced, online Board Leadership Training course, available at: volunteerottawa.ca/learn/online-learning/
A World of Volunteering Options
There is a wide range of opportunities to fit diverse lifestyles. You can volunteer online or in person, in a back office or on the front lines, for a one-day event or as a long-term commitment. Here’s a quick look at some of the options:
Are you looking for something social and cultural but with minimal long-term commitment? Consider volunteering at events and festivals. You will meet new people, help put on events for everyone to enjoy and you can sign up whenever your free time and an event coincide.
Do you want to contribute your skills to a good cause and keep your brain sharp after retirement? Consider a skilled volunteering role — perhaps even a role on a non-profit board of directors — where you use your professional skills to help a charity or non-profit pursue its mission.
Are you technologically savvy, but limited in terms of time and mobility? Virtual volunteering is booming. You can tutor people online, help an organization with translation or office administration remotely or act as a peer mentor for people who would benefit from your experience.
Ultimately, the best choice is to follow your passion but to ensure you make a sustainable commitment—whatever that looks like for you.
Be a Volunteering Ambassador
You can also help other people in the 55-plus age group find the joy of volunteering.
Governments and other funders understand how important volunteerism is for adults over age 55. Thanks to support received from the federal and provincial governments, as well as the Ottawa Community Foundation, Volunteer Ottawa is offering the Reengaging Older Adults Program, which is now recruiting Older Adult Ambassadors.
OA Ambassadors will be equipped with training and resources to play a lead role in promoting the health and social benefits of volunteering and in addressing the barriers and concerns that are preventing older adults from returning to volunteer positions after the major disruption of 2020.
If you’re interested in a flexible role with a social focus, check out Volunteer Ottawa’s OA Ambassador recruitment. News will be posted on volunteerottawa.ca and announced in the monthly volunteer newsletter.
