In Age Concern alone there are over 5000 volunteers, from all age groups. Older people contribute significantly to the voluntary workforce, both informally as caregivers of relatives and partners and grandchildren, and formally in a wide variety of roles in the voluntary sector.
Older people are volunteers in community groups and are advisors and mentors within business.
They volunteer on boards and in schools, on the marae and in kohanga reo, within health and support services, volunteer as coaches and members of sporting organisations, contribute within arts and cultural organisations, and indeed in all sectors of the community. Volunteering can be emotionally and spiritually satisfying. It is an opportunity to learn new skills and to continue to actively contribute to our communities. As part of their contribution to the Year, Age Concern New Zealand, with the support of a grant from the Lottery Grants Board, is developing a fact sheet on volunteering. The fact sheet aims to encourage people of all ages, but particularly older people, to become volunteers, and will promote the importance of volunteer work.