What is the course about?
Maybe you want to work abroad helping a village community, tidy up a wood or tow path in your area, introduce speakers at an Arts festival, become a youth mentor, read a thriller to a visually impaired person, do publicity for a favourite charity or run an oral history or literacy project?
We will learn how volunteering can provide purpose, structure, a sense of identity, belonging and involvement for the modern retiree. We will look at some of the reasons people volunteer and (because there appear to be so many options) narrow down the search by selecting from different themes and areas of personal interest.
What will we cover?
Where to look for your ideal voluntary job
How to find the most suitable match for your passions, skills and interests
Health benefits and other perks of volunteering
A look at some of the volunteering opportunities in London
A look at a few of the volunteering opportunities abroad
Gaining work experience through volunteering.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify the kind of volunteering job which would suit you
Name two places you intend to contact for further information.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and
for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The tutor is a semi-retired BBC producer who will share her own volunteering experiences. We will watch, read or listen to case study material. In addition, a guest speaker will describe their particular volunteering role. This is an opportunity to socialize with other retirees as you compare hopes and experiences. There will be a hand-out at the end with useful contacts.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Pen, paper, notebook.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
More retirement for beginners’ courses coming up.
General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on
Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
