If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
You might, for instance, want to work abroad on a community project, 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 the 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 appears to be such a wide choice) narrow down our search by selecting from different themes and areas of interest.
This is a face to face course.
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...
Reflect on a wider range of volunteering opportunities. Identify the type of voluntary work 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?
General level.
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. Learners will be encouraged to share ideas and experiences in a supportive environment. There will be a hand-out at the end with useful contacts.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Jenny Bardwell is a former BBC Open University producer who currently works as a freelance editor for Radio 4Extra. She also writes articles, interviews and stories for a range of publications. Jenny's volunteering experience is varied and extensive. She's been a dog walker and tour guide, a member of a singing group entertaining residents in care homes and has acted as a befriender. She is currently an occasional volunteer at Somerset House and helps run a second-hand bookshop in the grounds of an historic house. Jenny enjoys playing pickleball, walking netball, dancing and swims in the sea - in all weathers. Jenny embraces London's cultural life and relishes its intellectual and social delights. She created the Retirement for Beginners course because she loves to share her experiences and help individuals find their own path to a fun and purposeful retirement.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/retirement-for-beginners-volunteering-a-world-of-opportunity295558Retirement for beginners: volunteering - a world of opportunityhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/e/retirement-for-beginners-volunteering-a-world-of-opportunity-ftr10-1024.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Health & wellbeing/Courses/Health & wellbeing/Wellbeing/Courses/Health & wellbeing/Wellbeing/Creativity & social health/Courses/vm/Courses under £69/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit228512491250174113551174512285124912501653If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.64.23013240Retirement for beginners: volunteering - a world of opportunity5959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/e/retirement-for-beginners-volunteering-a-world-of-opportunity-ftr10-1024_25.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-07-04T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Health & wellbeingFTR135959Retirement for beginners: volunteering - a world of opportunity595959Jenny Bardwellretirement-for-beginners-volunteering-a-world-of-opportunity/ftr13-2526If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.0000-Available|2026-07-04 00:00:00You might, for instance, want to work abroad on a community project, 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 the publicity for a favourite charity, or run an oral history or literacy project.<br/> 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 appears to be such a wide choice) narrow down our search by selecting from different themes and areas of interest.<br/><br/>This is a face to face course.If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.Where to look for your ideal voluntary job<br/> How to find the most suitable match for your passions, skills and interests<br/> Health benefits and other perks of volunteering<br/> A look at some of the volunteering opportunities in London <br/> A look at a few of the volunteering opportunities abroad<br/> Gaining work experience through volunteering.Reflect on a wider range of volunteering opportunities.<br/> Identify the type of voluntary work which would suit you.<br/> Name two places you intend to contact for further information.General level.The tutor is a semi-retired BBC producer who will share her own volunteering experiences. Learners will be encouraged to share ideas and experiences in a supportive environment. <br/> There will be a hand-out at the end with useful contacts.Pen, paper, notebook.Further retirement for beginners courses.WellbeingCreativity & social healthvirtual3031882Retirement for beginners: volunteering - a world of opportunity6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/e/retirement-for-beginners-volunteering-a-world-of-opportunity-ftr10-1024_26.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-28T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Health & wellbeingFTR116969Retirement for beginners: volunteering - a world of opportunity696969Jenny Bardwellretirement-for-beginners-volunteering-a-world-of-opportunity/ftr11-2627<p>If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-28 00:00:00<p>You might, for instance, want to work abroad on a community project, 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 the publicity for a favourite charity, or run an oral history or literacy project.<br>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 appears to be such a wide choice) narrow down our search by selecting from different themes and areas of interest.<br><br>This is a face to face course.</p><p>If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.</p><p>Where to look for your ideal voluntary job<br>How to find the most suitable match for your passions, skills and interests<br>Health benefits and other perks of volunteering<br>A look at some of the volunteering opportunities in London<br>A look at a few of the volunteering opportunities abroad<br>Gaining work experience through volunteering.</p><p>Reflect on a wider range of volunteering opportunities.<br>Identify the type of voluntary work which would suit you.<br>Name two places you intend to contact for further information.</p><p>General level.</p><p>The tutor is a semi-retired BBC producer who will share her own volunteering experiences. Learners will be encouraged to share ideas and experiences in a supportive environment.<br>There will be a hand-out at the end with useful contacts.</p><p>Pen, paper, notebook.</p><p>Further retirement for beginners courses,.</p>WellbeingCreativity & social healthvirtual59,6959,6959,69FTR13,FTR11NONESat04/07/2611:00 - 14:0011:0014:001 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetJenny BardwellBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-04T00:00:00+00:00,2026-11-28T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJul 2026,Nov 2026Health & wellbeing5959,69Retirement for beginners: volunteering - a world of opportunityretirement-for-beginners-volunteering-a-world-of-opportunity/ftr13-2526,retirement-for-beginners-volunteering-a-world-of-opportunity/ftr11-2627If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.,<p>If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-04 00:00:00You might, for instance, want to work abroad on a community project, 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 the publicity for a favourite charity, or run an oral history or literacy project.<br/> 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 appears to be such a wide choice) narrow down our search by selecting from different themes and areas of interest.<br/><br/>This is a face to face course.,<p>You might, for instance, want to work abroad on a community project, 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 the publicity for a favourite charity, or run an oral history or literacy project.<br>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 appears to be such a wide choice) narrow down our search by selecting from different themes and areas of interest.<br><br>This is a face to face course.</p>If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.,<p>If you are not sure how to find your ideal volunteering role, but want to pass on some of your hard-won skills, experience and knowledge, this course will give you some ideas and contacts for further exploration.</p>Where to look for your ideal voluntary job<br/> How to find the most suitable match for your passions, skills and interests<br/> Health benefits and other perks of volunteering<br/> A look at some of the volunteering opportunities in London <br/> A look at a few of the volunteering opportunities abroad<br/> Gaining work experience through volunteering.,<p>Where to look for your ideal voluntary job<br>How to find the most suitable match for your passions, skills and interests<br>Health benefits and other perks of volunteering<br>A look at some of the volunteering opportunities in London<br>A look at a few of the volunteering opportunities abroad<br>Gaining work experience through volunteering.</p>Reflect on a wider range of volunteering opportunities.<br/> Identify the type of voluntary work which would suit you.<br/> Name two places you intend to contact for further information.,<p>Reflect on a wider range of volunteering opportunities.<br>Identify the type of voluntary work which would suit you.<br>Name two places you intend to contact for further information.</p>General level.,<p>General level.</p>The tutor is a semi-retired BBC producer who will share her own volunteering experiences. Learners will be encouraged to share ideas and experiences in a supportive environment. <br/> There will be a hand-out at the end with useful contacts.,<p>The tutor is a semi-retired BBC producer who will share her own volunteering experiences. Learners will be encouraged to share ideas and experiences in a supportive environment.<br>There will be a hand-out at the end with useful contacts.</p>Pen, paper, notebook.,<p>Pen, paper, notebook.</p>Further retirement for beginners courses.,<p>Further retirement for beginners courses,.</p>WellbeingCreativity & social healthconfigurable
17411250Creativity & social healthhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/health-wellbeing/wellbeing/creativity-social-health1/2/285/1249/1250/17411/Courses/Health & wellbeing/Wellbeing/Creativity & social health
