Retiring from the workforce doesn’t mean you can’t still make a positive impact. There are many wonderful ways to use your knowledge and skills to help others. One of the best ways is by volunteering.
Donating your time to a good cause is a great way to give back to society and meet new people. Plus, volunteering offers several physical and mental health benefits for older adults, like increased confidence, lower stress levels, and a genuine sense of meaning and purpose.
However, with so many options out there, it can sometimes be challenging to know where to begin. To help make your research a little easier, we’re sharing 20 volunteer opportunities for seniors to help you find a fulfilling role that suits your skills and passions.
1. Support a Local Food Bank
If you’re passionate about helping others and meeting new people, you can put your time to good use by working at a food bank in your area. You can assist with tasks like sorting and packing food, organizing donation drives, and distributing food to less fortunate families in your community. To get started, reach out to your local food bank or a trusted online service, like Meals on Wheels, to find available volunteer opportunities.
2. Join AmeriCorps Seniors
AmeriCorps Seniors offers older adults (55 and older) an excellent opportunity to serve across various disciplines, including tutoring children, helping with disaster relief, and delivering meals to homebound individuals. To get started, visit the AmeriCorps Seniors website or contact a local office for more information about available positions.
3. Walk Dogs at the Shelter
It’s well known that walking can be particularly beneficial for older adults’ mental and physical health. Many animal shelters are looking for help with walking dogs. If you’re an animal lover or just love being outdoors, this can be an excellent way to spend your free time. Besides reaping the numerous health benefits of walking, spending time with dogs has been shown to help reduce stress and improve mental health. You can check with nearby animal shelters to find out if they have volunteer opportunities for seniors.
4. Help at Your Local Park
If you’re a nature lover, you’ll likely enjoy donating your time and skills to a nearby park. Many local parks are happy to have seniors assist with maintaining trails, planting flowers and trees, and helping with park cleanups. Engaging in these tasks can also provide light exercise, which can have many significant health benefits, particularly as we age.
5. Become a Foster Grandparent
If you’re excited about using the parental wisdom you’ve gained over the years to help others, you can mentor children in need. Many programs work with seniors to help make a difference in a child’s life. As a volunteer, you can help by teaching children how to read, offering emotional support, mentoring teenagers, and more. To get involved, contact the Foster Grandparent Program in your area to find out if there are ways you can contribute.
6. Work at a Community Garden
Whether you have a passion for tending plants or you’re just looking to put your free time to good use, volunteering at a community garden can be exceptionally fun and rewarding. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with neighbors while assisting with tasks like caring for seedlings, maintaining garden paths, and watering plants. Reach out to local gardening groups or community centers to find out how you can get involved.
7. Join the Lions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International works with seniors to help provide humanitarian services in less fortunate communities. You can contribute your time and skills in a number of meaningful ways, including mentoring younger members, organizing social events, and participating in community service projects. If you’re passionate about service and would like to connect with like-minded volunteers across the world, visit the Lions Clubs International website to see if they have senior volunteer opportunities that could be a good match.
8. Mentor a Young Professional
If you’re looking for a meaningful and rewarding way to give back, you can use your lifetime experience to positively impact a young person’s career. Many young individuals want to get into the same field you worked in for years, and your insights and advice can have a lasting impact. Reach out to local universities, professional organizations, or online learning platforms to find mentorship opportunities for seniors in your area of expertise.
9. Virtual Volunteering
You’ll likely be delighted to know you can support the causes you care about without leaving your home! Virtual volunteer opportunities for seniors can include tutoring students online, helping with virtual administrative work, and virtual event planning. VolunteerMatch has a comprehensive database of flexible, remote volunteer work for senior citizens. You can check their website to see what could be a good match.
10. Craft for a Cause
If you love crafting, you can donate your creations to help those in need. Crafting has been shown to have numerous therapeutic benefits that can be particularly beneficial for older adults. Many charities, homeless shelters, and children’s hospitals welcome handmade donations including handmade cards, animal toys, quilts, and more, so there are plenty of ways to get involved. Reach out to local organizations or do some research online to check for volunteer opportunities near you.
11. Become a Penpal
If you’re open to making friends around the globe, you can send friendly letters or handwritten messages to individuals who could benefit from human connections, like children in foster care or homebound seniors. To get started, you can join online programs like Penpals for Life or Global Penfriends, which match volunteers with individuals in need of companionship. You may also check with local children’s hospitals near you to see if they have penpal programs.
12. Join the Peace Corps
While traditionally associated with younger volunteers, the Peace Corps also offers opportunities for seniors looking to help others. Volunteers can choose from many exciting and fulfilling assignments, like teaching English to children and organizing community events. To get started, visit the Peace Corps website and explore the opportunities for older volunteers.
13. Help a Fellow Senior
You can use your free time to positively impact the life of a fellow senior. As someone who has experienced aging firsthand, you understand the unique challenges and joys of this stage of life. Whether it’s leading a crafting class, organizing an outing, or simply sitting down for a friendly conversation, many residents in senior living communities would be happy to meet a friendly face. To get involved, contact a senior living community near you or leaders at your community to see how you can help.
14. Assist With Environmental Cleanup
As environmental concerns grow, even the smallest efforts can help make a positive difference. One way to make an impact is by getting involved in cleaning activities in your community. Many local environmental organizations or community centers organize clean-up events, so keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities in your area. You can offer help with tasks like clearing trails, picking up trash in your local park, or even organizing a cleanup exercise in your area.
15. Volunteer as a Personal Tutor
If you’re a retired teacher or instructor, or perhaps you just love helping others, you can put your knowledge and experience to great use by teaching. You can tutor students, professionals, and even fellow seniors about the topic you’re most familiar with. Volunteers also get to choose between in-person and online opportunities. To get started, get in touch with schools in your area and ask if they have any volunteer opportunities for seniors.
16. Volunteer at a Museum
If you are passionate about history, art, or culture, consider volunteering at a local museum or art gallery. You can help with various tasks, including assisting with administrative chores, arranging artwork, or offering guided tours to visitors. You’ll also enjoy learning about all the rich history and culture preserved in museums, alongside plenty of opportunities to connect with visitors and other volunteers. You can reach out to museums in your community and ask about volunteer positions and how you can contribute.
17. Offer Emotional Support as a Listener
Sometimes, people just need someone to listen to them. You can commit to a good cause by providing a listening ear for individuals who are going through tough times. Helplines like the Crisis Text Line often need volunteers. The good news is that you don’t need to be a trained therapist to offer assistance. Sometimes, simply being there for someone and lending a compassionate ear can make all the difference.
18. Assist in an Animal Shelter
Seniors who enjoy spending time with animals can offer to help animals in need. Older volunteers can assist shelter employees with tasks like feeding, cleaning, or exercising friendly animals. Volunteering at an animal shelter can be an incredibly rewarding experience, as the companionship of animals has been shown to help uplift moods and reduce feelings of stress. Many animal shelters are looking for volunteers, so visit a nearby shelter to find out if they have any volunteer opportunities for seniors.
19. Volunteer at Your Local Library
Many libraries welcome volunteers of all ages; some even provide training to help new volunteers get involved. If you have a knack for reading, consider donating your free time to your local library. You can assist with tasks like organizing books, reading to children, or providing administrative assistance. To find opportunities in your area, visit your local library to learn how you can help.
20. Volunteer at a Local Hospital or Nursing Home
Many individuals undergoing treatment experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. As a volunteer, you can assist with administrative tasks, provide companionship, and offer emotional support to residents. To get involved, contact your local hospital or nursing home to inquire about volunteer opportunities for seniors.
How to Get Started as a Senior Volunteer
Many older adults often wonder: where can older people volunteer? If you’d love to donate your free time to a good cause but aren’t sure where to start, here’s a step-by-step guide to help get started with volunteer opportunities for seniors:
1. Research Volunteer Opportunities
The first step in volunteering is researching opportunities that fit your interests and abilities. Start by considering what skills or talents you have to offer. Do you enjoy meeting new people, connecting with nature, or mentoring others? The key is to think about the activities that bring you joy and how you could use those passions to help others.
It’s also important to think about any physical restrictions you may have. Some volunteer roles may require more physical activity, like lifting or standing for long periods. If that’s a concern, it’s wise to look for roles that involve lighter tasks.
2. Contact an Organization
Once you’ve found a few organizations that align with your interests, it’s time to get in touch with them. The general application process usually involves filling out a form or sending an email expressing your interest in volunteering. Before taking on a volunteer role, it’s always a good idea to ask any questions you may have, such as:
- What does the role entail?
- How much time are you expected to contribute?
- Is there any training or orientation required?
- What support is available to volunteers?
Many organizations offer training sessions to help you understand your role and how to perform your duties. If training is provided, attend the orientation and take the opportunity to ask questions. It’s also a great time to meet other volunteers who share your interests.
3. Start Volunteering and Adjust as Needed
Now that you’ve completed your research and applied, it’s time to start volunteering! Remember to give yourself some time to adjust to the role. It’s perfectly okay if things don’t feel like the right fit at first. Volunteering should be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience, so don’t hesitate to explore other opportunities if the role doesn’t meet your expectations.
If you feel the tasks are too challenging or don’t suit your abilities, it’s okay to step back and try something else. The goal is to find a volunteer position that makes you feel valued and brings you joy.
Additional Resources for Getting Started
- VolunteerMatch offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities based on location and interests.
- RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) connects seniors with local volunteer opportunities.
- AARP’s Create the Good helps you find volunteer roles suited to your schedule and interests.
How StoryPoint Group Encourages Volunteering
At StoryPoint Group communities, we actively encourage senior residents to share their time, talents, and life experience through volunteer opportunities both within the community and in the surrounding area. Whether it’s mentoring younger generations, organizing charity drives, or lending a hand to fellow residents, seniors are empowered to make meaningful contributions.
Leon, an amazing resident at Independence Village of Waukee, turned volunteering into an art form by sharing his stories, insights, and memories at the Des Moines Botanical Garden for 17 years! Leon not only enriched the lives of countless others, he enjoyed having a strong sense of purpose, meaningful connections, and the fulfillment that comes from giving back.
Fun Senior Living With StoryPoint Group Communities
At StoryPoint Group communities, we believe retirement years should be fun and relaxed. From our healthy and nutritious dining options to our fun-filled activity calendar and opportunities to give back to others, each of our vibrant and supportive communities is designed to help you enjoy your retirement with supportive friends. To learn more about our services, contact us or give us a call today at 1-844-275-9990.
