This guide is designed as a practical tool to support organisations working with volunteers to engage over 50s and widen participation among different types of people.
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an outpouring of community spirit and volunteering, which has been critical to the local response. Many older people have made significant contributions to their communities during lockdown, with 30% of people aged 50 to 70 volunteering informally and 87% saying they wanted to continue.
However, others have been prevented from helping during this time and may now require support.
The five actions in this guide include approaches tested before lockdown and provide insights into how taking an age-friendly and inclusive approach prepared Ageing Better and DCMS' five grant funded projects across England to respond to the pandemic and can support organisations to re-engage volunteers and widen participation among those aged 50 and over in future.
As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, we hope these actions can help sustain and build on those efforts.
