This showed that there is much interest and willingness in local government to consider developing policies to support volunteering for their older employees. At present, though, only a few local authorities have developed such policies and related schemes. The publication of this Good Practice Guide is designed to engage councils in England in dialogue, and assist them to seize the potential of older employee volunteering for the benefit of their communities, the individuals concerned and for their renewed co-operation with local volunteer agencies. I am delighted to be able to endorse this Good Practice Guide which has been produced with funding provided by the Home Office Older Volunteers Initiative.
Older people have a great wealth of expertise, energy and experience to offer their communities.
This must not be wasted, we must learn to value the skills of older people and find ways of ensuring that they continue to be active in their communities. I believe that an important way of achieving this is through employer supported volunteering schemes. These schemes can provide excellent opportunities, which employees can continue when they retire. I look to local authorities to take the lead on in this area and this guidance will be valuable to them. I commend this Guide to you.