Retirement comes with big life changes – no longer working means that you can choose to go on a long holiday, move to somewhere like these Gloucester park homes http://www.parkhomelife.com/our-parks/orchard-park-homes-gloucester-gloucestershire/ or spend your time indulging in a hobby.
Something else that many retired people enjoy is volunteering – not only does it keep you busy, but also helps you to learn new skills and make new friends. Now that you have more time on your hands, volunteering can be a great thing to do in retirement.
For some people, they might volunteer for something that has affected them personally, such as those who have suffered an illness. Having the experience of going through it themselves, or with a friend or a family member means that they can be an invaluable support to others who are going through the same thing.
Another reason why people may volunteer for something is it is their way of helping with an issue that they feel passionately about. Animal welfare, for example, is something that is always in need of volunteers, as well as conservation groups and homeless charities.
Before you dive into volunteering, there are some things to think about to ensure that you are in the right role for you and also that you are using your skills in the best way. Think about how much time you have that you can commit to it. A good way to get started is to think about the things that you are interested in and what sort of things you were good at when you were at work, as this can help you to choose what sort of voluntary role would be the best for you.
The type of work can vary at organisations too – take animal welfare charities for example. It may be that you have a background in PR for example and would make a great events organiser to help them to do more fundraising and spread the word about the charity. Or you might have space in your home to foster an animal on behalf of the charity. It is a good idea to speak to local charities and find out what sort of people they need so that you can find the right voluntary role for you.