I was surprised not to see volunteering as one of the things newly retired people could do in your article comfort in retirement (July 2014).
I have volunteered all my adult life in a wide ranging field. When I first moved to this country as a new wife from Ireland I found it a good way to get to know people in the local community.
Throughout our three childrens’ childhoods I chose not to return to work, but continued to volunteer. This allowed me to be there for them all the time and take them to places of interest and fun. Yes, money was tight, but the quality of life was better for them than if I had returned to my career as a librarian.
Over the years volunteering has given me so much joy and satisfaction I feel that I have gained more than I have put in. Recent illness has confined me to home but I have been overwhelmed with cards, flowers, emails, cakes and kind thoughts from the various areas I have been involved in. My mother used to say, “cast your bread upon the waters and it will return to you.” I have certainly found this to be the case. So if you are newly retired volunteering is well worth considering!
Felicity Frith by email
