We talk about volunteering as if it is one thing but there are so many things to try – from running a radio programme to sailing with the disabled, from making a phone call to visiting someone and filling in their benefit forms. You can volunteer for as much time as you like – from the occasional meeting, to twenty minutes a week to almost full time, if you want to! There really is something for everyone and the key is choice – as a volunteer, you’re in control of what you do.

“When I retired, I was given a great piece of advice – make sure you do something! I enjoy being with older people, had nursed someone with Alzheimers and love cats and that helped me decide where to volunteer!

The greatest privilege of retirement is choice. Now I can do what I want to, when I want to. Volunteering gives real structure to your week but I have the flexibility to enjoy longer holidays too! I have such fun at the day care centre, I really love it.” Anna (62) – volunteer with Age Concern Suffolk, and Alzheimers Society and Cats protection league

Volunteering is a key way to stay active, learn new skills, make new friends – and have more fun as you get older! There are opportunities you can try from home or you can get and meet people.

“When I moved into the area after I retired, I didn’t know anyone. So volunteering was an excellent way of meeting people. Also, although I’d only become aware of the hospice movement late in my working life, I really wanted to work for it but it was too late to retrain. So volunteering was a brilliant way of being involved: a wonderful ‘second bite of the cherry’! Val (72) – volunteer with St Elizabeth Hospice and Talking books

The Give it a go! Project is about encouraging retired people to get involved in volunteering, whether they are 60 or 100, housebound or never in!. It aims to help connect people and organisations that need their help and to celebrate and promote all the work that older people do.

It centres around a hotline – 01473 288047. Volunteers will help callers explore the options, introduce them to organisations or groups that might need their help and will stay in touch to make sure all goes well.

We should remember that older people often come to volunteering at times of change in their life – after retirement, bereavement or moving and it makes all the difference to know that someone is there to support you and help you if things go wrong or celebrate with you if it goes really well!

This will also help us to support local groups and organisations. Age Concern Suffolk are delighted to be working in partnership with the Embrace Life project to support volunteering in sports and culture. We also support a huge network of clubs and organisations at Age Concern Suffolk and we can now also help them find new volunteers and celebrate the work they do. We’ll be building a list of volunteering opportunities and will also be using and uploading to the ‘do-it’ website.

Finally, we’ll be capturing people’s experiences of volunteering, through our ‘I gave it a go!’ stories. These stories really lift your spirits and make the world seem a much less dark place, especially when you are older and live alone. They show the extraordinary contribution of older people in our community and the incredible diversity of what they do. From an organisation supporting older people and fighting ageism, these stories really help to inspire older people to get involved and try volunteering. They are also the most positive images of older people you could find.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed volunteering. You meet some lovely, genuine people – and drink gallons of tea! The satisfaction of hearing that people have got their benefits really makes your day. You know how much difference it makes. Norman (94) Volunteer with Age Concern Suffolk