By the time people reach later life, the majority have some experience of contributing to their communities. Looking to the future, there is no room for complacency. The older population is changing – we may not be able to rely on a ‘civic core’ of healthier, wealthier and white volunteers. Without action to attract and retain a more diverse pool of volunteers, organisations working with volunteers may find their capacity is depleted.
In 2018 we published a review of community contributions in later life. It calls on charities, voluntary organisations and the public sector to do more to support and sustain the good will and effort of older volunteers. Our booklet for volunteer-involving organisations sets out six principles for age-friendly and inclusive volunteering and ideas for how to put them into practice.
