Volunteering After 60: Find a Fit That Feels Good
A few hours a week of helping out can be the best part of the week. Here is how to find the right fit.
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After a lifetime of schedules, alarms and other people’s deadlines, an empty calendar can feel like a prize. For a while, it is. But many of us find that a few hours a week doing something useful for others turns out to be the best part of the week.
Volunteering gets you out of the house, puts new people in your life, and lets you use skills you spent decades building. And there’s a quiet satisfaction in driving home knowing you helped.
1. Start with what you enjoy
The best volunteer job is one you’d look forward to anyway. Think about what you like doing, not just what you used to do for a living.
- Love books? Libraries often need help shelving, running book sales, or reading with kids.
- Good with your hands? Try a community garden, Habitat for Humanity, or a repair cafe.
- Miss the office? Nonprofits need steady people to answer phones, greet visitors or keep the books.
- Like being outdoors? Parks and nature centers need trail helpers, guides and greeters.
- A people person? Hospitals, museums and visitor centers love a friendly face at the front desk.
Veterans’ groups, schools and places of worship are full of opportunities too.
2. Try it before you commit
You don’t have to sign up for a year. A one-time event is a low-pressure way to see if it suits you.
- Help at a food pantry for a single shift.
- Join a park or river cleanup morning.
- Pitch in at a church supper or a library book sale.
If you enjoy it, ask about a regular spot. If you don’t, no harm done. Try something else.
3. Bring a friend
Volunteering with a friend or spouse makes it more fun, and you’ll both be more likely to show up on a rainy Tuesday. It’s also a great way to meet new people who care about the same things you do.
Where to look
- Your public library or place of worship
- Your local Area Agency on Aging, found through the Eldercare Locator
- VolunteerMatch.org, which lists local opportunities by interest
- AmeriCorps Seniors, for people 55 and older
Try this today
- Write down two things you enjoy doing.
- Look up one place nearby that could use that kind of help.
- Sign up for a single shift this month.
A word of caution
Stick with organizations you know or can check out. A real charity will never ask you to pay to volunteer, wire money or buy gift cards. If something feels off, ask a friend or family member before you sign up.
Set your own pace
Say yes to what fits, and don’t be shy about saying no to what doesn’t. The right volunteer role should add energy to your week, not drain it. Choose tasks that suit your stamina, ask about seating or shorter shifts if you need them, and give yourself permission to change your mind.
Where do you like to lend a hand? Tell me in the comments. I’d love some ideas.