Older People

More than 10,000 people over the age of 50 volunteer with us across the UK, in many different ways.

We develop, support and run brilliant volunteering projects for and with people over the age of 50.  Like Grandmentors which matches 50+ year olds as mentors for  young care leavers, or Sporting Chance, which gets male volunteers out and active, and Help at Hand, which matches volunteer befrienders to some of the most isolated individuals in the community.

We also support many people to start and lead their own projects through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP). RSVP responds to local community needs, enabling people aged 50 and over to take a lead role in both setting up and participating in volunteering activities that improve the health and wellbeing of others in their community – running sports clubs, employability skills workshops, patient driving schemes, knitting groups and much more.

We currently have more than 55 volunteer-led RSVP groups running across the country, and are always keen to help people start their own in response to local community needs. These include the provision of Community Care services (transport & wellbeing) in partnership with GP Surgeries, Volunteer Drivers groups, Lay Assessors in Care Homes and Home Care, Musical Activities projects for older people and an extensive Schools Volunteers Programme.

Other members have responsibility for internal activities such Office Administration, Information Systems (IT), a Membership and Projects Database, Bookkeeping, Publicity Materials and the Editorship of a regular Newsletter.

Nearly 500 of our RSVP volunteers are Volunteer Organisers (VOs), acting as team leaders to the RSVP volunteers in their areas, responsible for managing a team of up to 40 volunteers.

All RSVP members choose their activities and the amount of time they want to contribute. All expenses are reimbursed and good personal and third party insurance cover.

Please get in touch if you’re interested in starting your own RSVP programme.

Take a look at all our projects, programmes, and RSVP coordinated activities below.

(Photo courtesy of Ageing Better Middlesbrough)

Projects

Cars4Carers

Cars4Carers is a Pembrokeshire based social car scheme that provides transport for unpaid carers via volunteer drivers, whether it is a food shopping trip, or just going out to socialise.

Get Out Get Active

Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is a UK wide programme, funded by Spirit of 2012 that aims to encourage disabled and non-disabled people to take part in and enjoy activity together.

Give More Get More

Give More Get More was a project that aimed to support young disabled people transition from full time education to the next stage in their life through support from an older volunteer and a person-centred plan.

Grandmentors

Grandmentors: building better futures for young people leaving care across 8 areas in the UK. 82% of the care leavers supported by Grandmentors are in education, employment or training after six months, compared to just 51% nationally.

Handyperson Project

Our handyperson service runs in Stirling and Clackmannanshire and involves older volunteers who complete small and minor maintenance jobs that some older people cannot do by themselves.

Heather’s Hair

Heather’s Hair is an RSVP project that creates hairpieces and weaves for people experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy or other reasons.

LifeLines

Lifelines project in Brighton brings together people aged 50+ both as volunteers running activities and as participants in the wide range of volunteer-run activities.

Milton Keynes Volunteer Driver Service

Milton Keynes Community Car Service provides a door-to-door service which aims to help people access key appointments

Newport Support Partnership

Volunteering Matters is working with other experienced organisations as part of the Newport Support Partnership to provide help for isolated people and carers living in the Newport area.

Norfolk Knitters & Stitchers

Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers provide support to charities at home and abroad with hand knitted items as well as creating a community & friendship for isolated individuals.

RSVP Driving Schemes

Driving schemes are a lifeline to some older and more vulnerable people living in the UK who may not be able to get around easily.

RSVP Forth Valley

RSVP in Forth Valley encourages and assists older people to use their skills and experience to volunteer and keep active in retirement.

RSVP Knitting

Our knitting groups, are growing increasingly popular with over 5,000 social action knitters across the UK producing in excess of 50 big bin-bags worth of knitted goods per month

RSVP Reading in Schools

Our Retired and Senior Volunteer Programmes (RSVP) offer volunteering in local schools across the UK, for people aged 50+, where they can support pupils with with reading, maths or specialized subjects.

RSVP West

RSVP West is a key region for our RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme) and covers Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset.

Sporting Chance-get involved in one of our many projects!

Sporting Chance invites older men to join in activities and exercise groups from walking football to arm chair exercise, Aquasize to reminiscence sessions.

The Loop

The Loop gives beneficiaries the opportunity to become volunteers. It enables participants to access the social group as and when they need support, progress onto the Goals Group when ready and take their learning further within the Projects Group.

Volunteer Centre Newcastle

Volunteer Centre Newcastle acts as a connector between people and communities with a database of opportunities across the city.

Welcome Friends

Welcome Friends aims to reduce isolation in South Wales by providing friendship and social interaction for people who may go months without seeing anyone.

Volunteering Opportunities

Sporting Chance – Participate (Birmingham)

Sporting Chance supports men aged 50+ to keep active both physically and mentally and creates a strong community to reduce loneliness in volunteers.

Sporting Chance – Volunteer (Rhondda Cynon Taf)

Sporting Chance supports men aged 50+ to keep active both physically and mentally and creates a strong community to reduce loneliness in volunteers.

GRANDMENTORS – VOLUNTEER (WARWICKSHIRE)

Grandmentors is an innovative project that sees older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support vulnerable young people leaving the care system. This opportunity is for Grandmentors Warwickshire.

Welcome Friends – Befriender (Merthyr Tydfil)

Volunteers support and befriend people who may be isolated or lonely in the local area by making home visits and helping to organise and run social activities in community settings such as sheltered accommodation, day centres or libraries.

Get Out Get Active – Volunteer Swimmer (Lambeth)

The Supported Swimming Group at Clapham Leisure Centre needs volunteer swimmers! They are a friendly group of adults who would like more experienced swimmers to help out.

Milton Keynes Community Car Service – Volunteer Driver (Milton Keynes)

Becoming a volunteer driver provides a door-to-door service for those who need it, and aims help people in maintaining their health, independence and reducing social isolation.

Get Out Get Active – Session Leader Assistant (Roehampton)

The role of the Get Out Get Active Session leader assistant volunteer will be assisting our lead coach in putting on ‘Sporting Memories’ reminiscence therapy sessions to elderly members of the Roehampton community.

GRANDMENTORS – VOLUNTEER (Wiltshire)

Grandmentors is an innovative project that sees older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support vulnerable young people leaving the care system. This opportunity is for Grandmentors Wiltshire.

GRANDMENTORS – VOLUNTEER (Stockton)

Grandmentors is an innovative project that sees older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support vulnerable young people leaving the care system. This opportunity is for Grandmentors Stockton.

Handyperson Project – Volunteer (Stirling)

Our handyperson service runs in Stirling and Clackmannanshire, involving volunteers who complete small and minor maintenance jobs for older people. Some older people struggle to do small jobs at home by themselves. It can be expensive or challenging hiring a professional to do such a small job. Our service means older people stay independent and … Continued

Learn Together Scotland – Outdoor Learning Volunteer

Learn Together Scotland is looking for volunteers aged 50 and over to support on literacy skills building in their local community.

RSVP West – School Volunteer (South Gloucestershire)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) in the South West provides opportunities to people aged 50 and over or those in or approaching retirement to volunteer in a primary or secondary school.

RSVP West – School Volunteer (Bath and North East Somerset)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) in the South West provides opportunities to people aged 50 and over or those in or approaching retirement to volunteer in a primary or secondary school.

RSVP West – School Volunteer (Bristol)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) in the South West provides opportunities to people aged 50 and over or those in or approaching retirement to volunteer in a primary or secondary school.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (Glasgow)

RSVP knitting groups provide an opportunity for older people to be social and is also a opportunity for older people to still feel useful in retirement and give back to their community.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (Pontyclun)

RSVP knitting groups provide an opportunity for older people to be social and is also a opportunity for older people to still feel useful in retirement and give back to their community.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (Barry)

RSVP knitting groups provide an opportunity for older people to be social and is also a opportunity for older people to still feel useful in retirement and give back to their community.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (Pontypool)

RSVP knitting groups provide an opportunity for older people to be social and is also a opportunity for older people to still feel useful in retirement and give back to their community.

Sporting Chance – Volunteer (Sheffield)

Sporting Chance supports men aged 50+ to keep active both physically and mentally and creates a strong community to reduce loneliness in volunteers.

Grandmentors – Volunteer (Ipswich)

Grandmentors is an innovative project that sees older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support vulnerable young people leaving the care system. This opportunity is for Grandmentors Ipswich.

RSVP – School Volunteer (Clackmannanshire)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) in Clackmannanshire provides opportunities to older people or those in or approaching retirement to volunteer in a primary or secondary school.

Newport Support Partnership – Volunteer Driver

Volunteering Matters is working in collaboration with other experienced organisations to provide help for isolated people and carers living in the Newport area - specifically in this role supporting carers with their travel needs.

Newport Support Partnership – Help at Home Volunteer

Newport Support Partnership is working with local partners to provide help for isolated people and carers living in the Newport area - specifically in this role, help around the home.

Newport Support Partnership – Volunteer Carer’s Befriender

Volunteering Matters is working in collaboration with other experienced organisations to provide help for isolated people and carers living in the Newport area - specifically in this role, befriending isolated carers.

RSVP – Recruitment Organiser

RSVP volunteers are all aged over 50 and draw upon on their experiences to lead and develop projects targeting needs in their local community. We have 10,000 volunteers, of which over 450 are Organisers.

RSVP – Schools Coordinator

RSVP currently have volunteers in more 350 schools around the UK. Our aim is to help more older volunteers take part in this popular programme.

Sporting Chance – Participate (Stockton-on-Tees)

Sporting Chance supports men aged 50+ to keep active both physically and mentally and creates a strong community to reduce loneliness in volunteers.

Newport Support Partnership – Group Activity Volunteer

Newport Support Partnership is working with local partners to provide help for isolated people and carers living in the Newport area.

Newport Support Partnership – Volunteer Befriender

Newport Support Partnership is working with local partners to provide help for isolated people and carers living in the Newport area - specifically in this role, to befriend isolated members of the community.

Grandmentors – Volunteer (Islington)

Grandmentors is an innovative project that sees older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support vulnerable young people leaving the care system. This opportunity is for Grandmentors Islington.

Grandmentors – Volunteer (Hounslow)

Grandmentors is an innovative project that sees older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support vulnerable young people leaving the care system. This opportunity is for Grandmentors Hounslow.

RSVP West – Schools Placement Organiser (South Gloucestershire)

The volunteer Schools Placement Organiser's role is to liaise with current schools volunteers and programmes within South Gloucestershire to recruit and place new volunteers, and find schools willing to offer placements and provide ongoing support.

RSVP West – Volunteer Project Organiser (Bristol)

Volunteer Project Organisers are needed in all parts of the RSVP West Region which consists of placing volunteers in schools; helping develop our GP surgery-based schemes or helping to co-ordinate volunteers at local surgeries.

RSVP West – Volunteer Project Organiser (Bath & North East Somerset)

RSVP West engages over 1000 volunteers in various volunteering activities including community care, transport services, care homes, ‘older people’ projects and the schools programme.

RSVP – Volunteer Gardening Organiser (Poole)

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY Twigs Garden Club is all about providing a ‘laid back gardening for all’ approach to gardening. This project is open for all ages, whether you have a large or small garden or just a window box, do come along and discuss your interest, socialise and make new friends. The club is now … Continued

RSVP – Stirling Care Village

Volunteers are here to enhance the patient experience. This is an exciting opportunity to meet people, learn new skills and most importantly, make a difference to people's lives.

RSVP – Forth Valley Hospital Volunteers (Falkirk)

Volunteers are here to enhance the patient experience. This is an exciting opportunity to meet people, learn new skills and most importantly, make a difference to people's lives.

RSVP – Volunteer Driver (Rawcliffe/Snaith)

Our volunteer drivers help anyone who needs assistance with getting to hospital & health care appointments. Together we can assist with helping older or vulnerable people maintain their health, independence and reduce social isolation.

RSVP – Volunteer Driver (Bath and North East Somerset)

Our volunteer drivers help anyone who needs assistance with getting to hospital & health care appointments. Together we can assist with helping older or vulnerable people maintain their health, independence and reduce social isolation.

RSVP West – Volunteer Driver (Bath & North East Somerset)

Our volunteer drivers help anyone who needs assistance with getting to hospital & health care appointments. Together we can assist with helping older or vulnerable pn.eople maintain their health, independence and reduce social isolatio

RSVP West – Volunteer Driver (South Gloucestershire)

Our volunteer drivers help anyone who needs assistance with getting to hospital & health care appointments. Together we can assist with helping older or vulnerable people maintain their health, independence and reduce social isolation.

RSVP West – Volunteer Driver (Bristol)

Our volunteer drivers help anyone who needs assistance with getting to hospital & health care appointments. Together we can assist with helping older or vulnerable people maintain their health, independence and reduce social isolation.

RSVP – Twigs Garden Club (Poole)

Twigs Garden Club is all about providing a ‘laid back gardening for all’ approach to gardening.

RSVP – Walk Organiser (Stirling)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme encourages those aged 50+ to volunteer and stay active. We are looking for an older person to volunteer as a Walk Organiser for our popular weekly walks in Stirling and the surrounding area.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (Clackmannanshire)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme encourages those aged 50+ to volunteer and stay active. We are looking for older people in Clackmannanshire who would like to knit items for charity and good causes.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (Stirling)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme encourages those aged 50+ to volunteer and stay active. We are looking for older people in Stirling who would like to knit items for charity and good causes.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (Dunblane)

RSVP knitting groups provide an opportunity for older people to be social and is also a opportunity for older people to still feel useful in retirement and give back to their community.

RSVP – Schools Volunteer (Falkirk)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) in Falkirk provides opportunities to older people or those in or approaching retirement to volunteer in a primary or secondary schools.

Cars4Carers – Volunteer Driver (Pembrokeshire)

Many people rely on our volunteer drivers to help them do everyday things that most of us take for granted. A simple trip to the shops can be complicated, if not impossible, for some people without the support of a volunteer driver.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (County Durham)

RSVP knitting groups provide an opportunity for older people to be social and is also a opportunity for older people to still feel useful in retirement and give back to their community.

RSVP – Volunteer Walk Leader (Stirling)

Walk leaders help run our very popular weekly walks in beautifully, picturesce town of Stirling and the surronding area.

RSVP – Schools Volunteer (Stirling)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) in Stirling provides opportunities to older people or those in or approaching retirement to volunteer in a primary or secondary schools.

Welcome Friends – Befriender (Rhondda Cynon Taf)

Volunteers support and befriend people who may be isolated or lonely in the local area by making home visits and helping to organise and run social activities in community settings such as sheltered accommodation, day centres or libraries.

RSVP – Volunteer Driver (Ryedale)

Many people rely on our volunteer drivers to help them do everyday things that most of us take for granted. A simple trip to the shops can be complicated, if not impossible, for some people without the support of a volunteer driver.

RSVP – Volunteer Knitter (Cardiff)

RSVP knitting groups provide an opportunity for older people to be social and is also a opportunity for older people to still feel useful in retirement and give back to their community.

Sporting Chance – Participate (Middlesbrough)

Sporting Chance supports men aged 50+ to keep active both physically and mentally and creates a strong community to reduce loneliness in volunteers approaching retirement.

Lifelines – Volunteer (Brighton)

Looking for people aged 50 and over based in Brighton who want to stay active and involved in their local community. We will support you to run or take part in a huge range of activities - from computer clubs to loss support groups.

Case Studies

Grandmentors and Hounslow Allies

All local authorities have a statutory duty to provide independent visitors to all children in care (aged 8 – 16+) who would benefit. In Hounslow, London, we’ve been providing an Independent Visitor Service – Hounslow Allies – for over 12 years. We also run Grandmentors in Hounslow. Grandmentors is an intergenerational mentoring programme that matches … Continued

Cole’s Goals achieved with a little help from his Grandmentor

Cole's life has been turned around by his inspiring Mentor Darren. Read about how they were brought together by our award winning Grandmentors project.

Full-Time Volunteering: Carers’ Support Bexley

The role of a Full-Time Volunteer (FTV) can be very varied, and supporting full-time carers is just one of the ways that FTVs provide incredible support to those they volunteer with. Volunteering Matters has been working with Carers’ Support Bexley for over 20 years (back when we were known as Community Service Volunteers!) and we … Continued

Learn Together Cymru: David’s Story

David is 79 and has been volunteering as a schools reading volunteer with Volunteering Matters since 2000. He told us about his favourite parts of the role, and shared some stories from his time in primary schools in Wales.

What it’s like to be a Grandmentor

Karen heard about Grandmentors through the local business community, and is already seeing a great difference in her mentee, only a few weeks into supporting her as a volunteer.

One Small Step Winter Update 2017

Over the past few months the One Small Step Project has had no shortage of updates, and we thought there would be no better time to share them with you than to round up 2017!

Learning for Life Together: Diana’s Story

Former schoolteacher Diana found an opportunity to use her research and teaching skills again with Volunteering Matters’ Learning for Life Together project

Learning for Life Together: Rose’s Story

When 90 year old Hartcliffe resident Rose was approached to take part in a Bristol Ageing Better intergenerational learning project, she wasn’t keen on speaking directly with the children, so Volunteering Matters found a way for her to get involved on her terms.

Sporting Chance: Jeff’s Story

Jeff has suffered from mobility issues for years, and found his health issues made him feel quite low. But through volunteering with Sporting Chance he has felt more confident and outgoing.

Lifelines: Darina’s Story

Even though Darina works 3 days a week as a property lawyer, she makes time to volunteer when she can with LifeLines in Brighton.

Handyperson Project: Sandy’s Story

Sandy, 70, from Stirling has been volunteering with our Handyperson Project for the past 10 years and he told us what a day in his volunteer role looks like.

HealthLink: Nora’s Story

As part of our Older People Focus week, Nora told us about her experience of being part of HealthLink, which supports older people to get to their healthcare appointments.

Befriending Matters: Winifred’s Story

As part of our older people's focus week, we chatted to one of our long-serving volunteers about her experience as a telephone befriender, and found out what motivates her in her role.

Welcome Friends: Mary’s Story

Mary just celebrated her 90th Birthday with the volunteers at Welcome Friends in Wales. Our Senior Development Coordinator in Cardiff told us about it!

Help At Hand Befriending: Audrey and Mouyra’s story

Audrey, 53, from Alloa, is a volunteer befriender with Help at Hand Befriending. She was matched with Mouyra, 87 also from Alloa, earlier this year and the pair quickly bonded over their shared love of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Active Volunteering: Angela’s Story

Angela volunteered with Active Volunteering Barnet, and she feels she has gone from strength to strength in confidence, happiness and people skills.

Learn Together Cymru: Tim’s Story

"If you’re not sure whether you’re the right person to be a reading volunteer, then think again.   Some aspect of your life will contribute something to the school and I believe personality and an interest in education matters as much as personal circumstances. Once you give it a go, stay with it – you’ll get more confident and the rewards will come!”

One Small Step: Jacqui’s Story

"I really enjoy my visits just as much as Shirley does. I know that I am helping Shirley and feel privileged to be able to do so."

Peer Friendship Project: Gina’s Story

"Paula and Pam showed us the light at the end of the tunnel."

Help at Hand: Margaret’s Story

" Ena knows that I will look after her, take her home at the end of the day and make sure she is safe."

Grandmentors: Ed’s Story

"Mentoring gives us an opportunity to continue to deploy our skills and knowledge, but in a very different environment."

RSVP Knitting: Natalie’s Story

"I love volunteering - it boosts my mood and helps me feel I am doing something worthwhile with my free time. For me, volunteering was a lifeline."

Help at Hand: Moira’s Story

"My befriender, Anne, is worth her weight in gold."

RSVP Forth Valley: Judith’s Story

"Volunteering is a great help in deterring feeling lonely or bored."

Learn Together Cymru: Nesta’s Story

"Two hours of my time each week doesn’t seem much, but for me it means that on two days there is a purpose to my day – a reason to get up, shower, change and get ‘out there’."

RSVP Wales – Knitting: Jan’s Story

Jan has written a poem about how her Nan inspired her to knit, and why she has continued to knit throughout her life.

Cars4Carers: Paul’s Story

"I have found volunteering to be an excellent way of giving something back to people and helping to make their lives a little easier."

Prime Time: James’ Story

"Chris has always encouraged me and I feel really supported by his Prime Time project."

Employee Volunteering: Kosar’s Story

City wise recruits unemployed volunteers aged 50+ who want to make a difference in their communities through offering their skills and experience to help others.

Handyperson Project: Paddie’s Story

"Volunteering Matters to me because it has helped me see the light at the end of a dark tunnel."

RSVP – Reading in Schools: Martin’s Story

"Feeling like a part of the community is so important after retirement."

Handyperson project: Bob’s Story

"Volunteering Matters to me because of the impact it can have on our community and how it makes such a difference to peoples’ lives."

Citywise : Severina’s Story

"It’s not just the contact, it is the fact that they are thinking of me which is very special to me"

RSVP School Volunteer : Maureen’s Story

“Now that I look back on the past 11 years, I find I have so many stories to tell. I will really miss volunteering when I step down this year.”

Help at Hand project : Vikki’s Story

"My time with Kay has given me some valuable insights into what life is like for many elderly people in the UK."

Help at Hand : Katie’s Story

"Loneliness is something that can affect anyone at any time, and it is projects like this that are so important in helping to stop it."

Learn Together Cymru project : Ann’s Story

"Volunteering gives me a great sense of self-worth and belonging – in fact I often think that I get back more than I give!”

Sporting Chance project : Paul’s Story

"Sporting Chance, its wonderful instructors and the other men have given me my life back."

RSVP West: Joan’s Story

"I've met all sorts of people. It's great to share all our stories and experience the pleasure in volunteering"

Grandmentors project : Tess and Zing’s Story

"The feeling of belonging was lost for me and now I have found it again thanks to Tess.”

Lifelines project : Roger’s Story

"I had never lived alone before my wife passed away. Living alone was a big shock initially, but volunteering has helped my well-being a lot."

RSVP Reading in Schools project : Roy

"I really like the fact that I can hopefully pass on my own knowledge and experience to help the next generation."

Reports

IPC and Personal health budget support and development programme: Learning and next steps

This report explores how voluntary and community organisations and Clinical Commissioning Groups can collaborate to deliver Personal Health Budgets.

Grandmentors Programme Review

An external review of the Grandmentors programme, conducted between June and September 2017. The review looks at what Grandmentors offers in the current policy and commissioning environment, and how the model could be evolved for the future.

Barriers and Benefits: Tackling inequalities in health through volunteering

In general those who could benefit most from volunteering are the least likely to be able to take part in it. This paper from Volunteering Matters looks at what organisations can do to start addressing the equity issues in volunteering.

Volunteering, Inequalities & Public Health: Barriers to Volunteering

This research summary presents findings from a rapid literature review by Leeds Beckett University on volunteering, inequalities & public health.

Engaging Older People of Asian Origin

Our Retired and Senior Volunteering Programme (RSVP) in Coventry has been delivering a project tackling isolation and improving wellbeing amongst older people in Coventry through volunteer-led activity.

Volunteering in retirement

Retirement is an opportunity for you to use and develop your skills and talents further than you thought possible. Read how volunteering in retirement is becoming more prevalent.

News

Strictly Come Dancing stars visit LifeLines!

Our Brighton-based LifeLines volunteers were joined by two very special guests from Strictly Come Dancing, and were featured in the Daily Mail and The Argus.

Celebrating 1 million hours of volunteering in Scotland!

Our long-running Action Earth scheme is celebrating the one millionth hour of volunteering time given by volunteers on its funded projects this decade!

Grandmentors Golf day raises £5,000 for care leavers

Seventy supporters raised £5,000 for Grandmentors, an inter-generational award-winning project of Volunteering Matters. The money will help to provide weekly support for young care leavers over a 6-12 month period, ensuring greater well-being, autonomy and career prospects.

Volunteering Matters welcomes new Civil Society Minister

Volunteering Matters featured in an article about the appointment of the new Minister for Civil Society, Baroness Barran, in which we stated we looked forward to working with her to ensure that more people can change lives and transform communities trough volunteering.

Intergenerational project in Wales imparting Rural Wisdom

Volunteering Matters is instigating community volunteering to help make Leeswood in Wales more Age-Friendly. It is one of the charity's Rural Wisdom projects designed to reduce isolation in rural areas.

Volunteering Matters chosen as Charity of the Week by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

  Volunteering Matters is this week’s players of People’s Postcode Lottery Charity of the Week. We feature on their website here. Every year thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, tens of thousands of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in communities across England, Scotland and Wales benefit from the support of Volunteering Matters. Our partnership … Continued

Impact of Volunteering Matters ‘LifeLines’ celebrated in Brighton

LifeLines’, a volunteer-led programme which provides social activities for retired people in Brighton and Hove, celebrated its amazing volunteers at an awards reception to mark Volunteers’ Week. 30 Volunteers were treated to a tea at the Old Ship Hotel. Karen Bowlas, the project manager for ‘Lifelines’, said. “By celebrating our volunteers we are able to … Continued

Sunshine Cafe celebrates anniversary

Sunshine Café, which acts as a social hub for the village of Leeswood celebrated its first anniversary. The morning’s filling included the usual fare of hot chocolate, teacakes and laughter.

Out of the armchair and ‘Making Mates’ -Over 50s given a Sporting Chance

It's official! Hundreds of men, aged over 50, taking part in Volunteering Matters' Sporting Chance projects have enhanced well-being and have reduced their dependency on local medical services. By getting out and 'making mates' they are fighting fit.

Stockton Borough Council Supporting Sporting Chance for a further two years

We are excited to announce that Stockton Borough Council Public Health Team have provided Sporting Chance with a further two years of funding!

Network Point Newcastle launched to enhance local Dementia care

Volunteering Matters has launched a brand new, innovative volunteering network in Newcastle for organisations assisting people in mid to late life and Dementia.

Soft-matching in parliament for Grandmentors Milton Keynes!

Grandmentors volunteers and young people on our award-winning Grandmentors project enjoyed a trip to Parliament for a soft matching event.

Grandmentors programme wins National Mentoring Award

Volunteering Matter’s Grandmentors programme won a prestigious national award recognising its transformational work in mentoring young care leavers. The Grandmentors programme received the honour in the Third Sector category at the recent National Mentoring Awards, in recognition of the 1:1 support that Grandmentors provide young people leaving care. One of the key areas that impressed … Continued

Grandmentors launched in Milton Keynes thanks to the Freemasons

Thanks to the Freemasons Grandmentors Milton Keynes will reach even more young people leaving care.

Our Volunteer Awards 2018

At this year's AGM we wanted to recognise the incredible individual efforts made by our volunteers, and the impact they make every day up and down the UK. We developed a new set of Volunteer Awards, to cover the full range of our work

People’s Postcode Lottery takes a Sporting Chance

Staff from People’s Postcode Lottery went to visit Sporting Chance in Stockton to see first-hand the sort of projects their funding supports.

Volunteers attend Queen’s Garden Party 2018

For the second year, volunteers from our North Lanarkshire Befriending Project, Help at Hand, and the Employee Volunteering team from the Co-Op were honoured at the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace!

Start your own revolution this Volunteers’ Week!

This Volunteers’ Week we’re challenging young people across the UK to start their own revolution, and consider not just volunteering, but Full-Time Volunteering.

Volunteering for all – all year round!

As thousands of volunteers are being celebrated up and down the country as part of Volunteers’ Week, we of course couldn’t let the moment pass without three cheers for our incredible volunteers!

We’re challenging young people to start their revolution!

This month sees the launch of our brand new campaign to change young people’s perceptions of volunteering. Titled ' Revolution You ', our campaign aims to challenge preconceived notions of volunteering and encourage more young people to consider a gap year in the UK. 

Taking Grandmentors to new places!

Both Stockton Council and Wiltshire Council will be teaming up with Volunteering Matters to launch Grandmentors in their area, providing new inter-generational mentoring to young people leaving care. 

Volunteering Matters receives funding boost from players of charity lottery

Funds from the players of the People's Postcode Lottery will continue to help Volunteering Matters tackle social isolation and loneliness in the UK.

RSVP takes centre stage in South Korea

KBNe UK, a partner of Korean Broadcasting Network in Europe, are producing a TV documentary about life and opportunities for senior citizens and the importance of the third sector, and sought to highlight our work in the UK. Our RSVP conference provided the perfect backdrop for the production team to meet some of our amazing volunteers.

Brighton Over 50s Showcase Artistic Flair!

Margaret is a retired secondary school Head of Art, and has has been teaching an art class as part of LifeLines for local people over 50 for almost 5 years. She shared some of the work and explained the theme of the most recent project!

Ipswich Through the Looking Glass

Volunteering Matters took over Christchurch mansion in October 2017 to showcase our volunteering projects running across Suffolk.

People’s Postcode Lottery show why volunteering matters

Green fingered staff members from the People’s Postcode Lottery picked up their shovels to transform the garden at a local hospice in Edinburgh recently as part of their employee volunteering programme.

Happy Grandparents Day!

To celebrate Grandparents Day we caught up with some of our amazing volunteers and staff, grandparents and grandchildren alike, to find out how they’ll be marking the occasion.

Volunteers take centre stage at our AGM

We have launched many amazing new projects in the past year, all made possible by talented and dedicated volunteers across the UK. We were delighted to shine a spotlight on some of them at the Volunteering Matters 2017 Annual General Meeting which took place on the 28th of September.

Volunteering Matters selected to be part of the Second Half Fund

Volunteering Matters is one of 13 organisations selected by the innovation charity Nesta to take part in the Second Half Fund, enabling us to replicate our Grandmentors project in five new areas.

Volunteers honoured with attendance at Queen’s Garden Party

Seven volunteers from Volunteering Matters attended the Queen’s Garden Party at Holyrood Palace on the 4th of July 2017 as a gesture of thanks for their commitment to their roles supporting vulnerable people in the community.

Sheffield over 50s given a Sporting Chance

Sheffield over 50s were joined by special guests including Anne Murphy, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield at Longley Four Greens Community Centre this week to celebrate the launch of Sporting Chance.

Grandmentors Review: Invitation to Tender

Volunteering Matters, with support from strategic funding partners, is commissioning an external review of their Grandmentors programme.

Help at Hand celebrates second birthday

Help at Hand volunteers donate over 3,000 hours of time over two years to stamp out loneliness for elderly neighbours

Sporting Chance group star in video to combat loneliness

Middlesbrough’s Sporting Chance group star in a film that forms part of a national campaign to expose the growing crisis of loneliness and encourage people to take action to overcome the problem as part of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness.

Volunteering Matters receives funding boost from Give More Get More

We are delighted to be one of five organisations selected to take part in the Give More Get More programme, receiving an award of £99,335 to develop a new volunteering opportunity for people over 50.

BIG funding for our big project: Shaping rural communities to support older people

We, as part of a consortium, have been awarded £975,370 from The Big Lottery fund to develop the Rural Wisdom project to run for 5 years.

Volunteering Matters receives funding boost from players of charity lottery

We have been awarded £600,000 in funding from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery to support our work in tackling social isolation and boosting the health and wellbeing of older people across the UK.

Volunteering Matters mobilises people power on #GivingTuesday

In 2015, #GivingTuesday broke the world record for the highest amount of money donated online in a 24 hour period. We think this is brilliant – but #GivingTuesday shouldn’t just be about giving money so we are asking our supporters to donate the gift of time by volunteering in their communities.

Sporting Chance celebrates three year anniversary!

Last Friday our Sporting Chance project marked its third birthday with a lunchtime party at the Riverside football stadium (Legend’s Lounge) in Middlesbrough.

Sporting Chance arrives in Stockton-on-Tees

Sporting Chance, our innovative project that addresses social isolation and poor physical and mental health amongst men aged 50+ in Middlesbrough, has been replicated in Stockton-on-Tees.

WASSUP wins the Anne Dunford OBE Award for youth participation

Our Women Against Sexual violence and exploitation Speak UP (WASSUP) project, based in Ipswich, has won the Anne Dunford OBE Award for youth participation.

Help at Hand befriending project wins health and wellbeing award

Our Help at Hand befriending project won an ‘outstanding achievement in health and wellbeing’ award at the Stirling Volunteer Awards last night at the Albert Halls.

Our work in Scotland wins the Volunteer Friendly Award

The Volunteer Friendly Award (VFA) is a fantastic way of showing that your group is good at involving and appreciating volunteers.

Three Volunteering Matters projects shortlisted for Children and Young People Now awards

Full-Time Volunteering, Sex Matters Too and Volunteers Supporting Families have all been shortlisted for Children and Young People Now awards.

Help at Hand befriending project shortlisted for health and wellbeing award

Our Help at Hand befriending project has been shortlisted for an ‘outstanding achievement in health and wellbeing’ award by Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise and Stirling Council

Lifelines goes from strength to strength!

Lifelines, a flagship project from the national charity Volunteering Matters, will be expanding across the city thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.

Sporting Chance hit the big screen

Sporting Chance, a project for men over 50 in the Middlesbrough area became film stars for the day when Leanne from Button Media Management came down to create a great new promotional video for them

Celebrating older volunteers in Coventry in style

Today, over 100 volunteers from RSVP Coventry will come together to mark more than a decade’s worth of work in the city of Coventry.

Norfolk Knitters celebrate 2,000th member

On Friday 1st May a special celebration was held at the North Norfolk Wool Loft Open Day, at Sheringham Community Centre, to mark the 2000th member joining Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers.

Continued austerity a threat to communities

Worries of continued austerity, calling for the next government to acknowledge the value of the volunteering sector given its critical role in helping to promote and sustain the well-being of individuals and communities.

Blog Posts

Sharing community-based solutions

Rachel Evans reveals how community-based solutions to help isolated older people are being shared across the UK.

The power of a relationship

Could our innovative intergenerational mentoring programme for care leavers become a new national norm? Our Head of National Programmes Gethyn Williams and Will Bibby, Programme Manager at Nesta gave their take.

‘Priorities for the plan’ – views from leaders in charities and voice organisations

This blog, written by our head of policy and performance Duncan Tree, highlights how volunteering should be instrumental in shaping how health services work in the future. This piece makes up a chapter of the report 'Priorities for the plan' which you can read in full in our reports.

Volunteering, the voluntary sector and personal health budgets: unlocking inclusion and personalisation

This guest blog from the Director of Personalised Care at NHS England looks at the collaboration needed between voluntary and community organisations and Clinical Commissioning Groups to deliver Personal Health Budgets.

What would a week without volunteers be like?

Volunteers are invaluable. For older and isolated members of the community, young people leaving care, for disabled volunteers, for the NHS, and many more. Out Chief Executive Oonagh considers what a world without volunteers might look like.

Volunteering runs in the family!

This Mother’s Day we celebrated a member of our own staff and her daughter – who together show how a passion for volunteering can clearly run in the family!

New Year, Volunteer!

Our Head of Communications Alison Harvie on how to get that New Year’s resolution off the page and into action.

Top tips for creatively marketing to potential volunteers

In this blog post we’re looking at the creative marketing tips that we’ve been sharing - you might find something new or different you could consider applying to your volunteer recruitment and marketing!

A day in the life of a Volunteer Organiser

Being a Volunteer Organiser can be incredibly fulfilling but sometimes people have misgivings about taking on the role, feeling the responsibility might be too daunting. RSVP Publicity Volunteer, Colin Mason, caught up with two Volunteer Organisers to find out more about their experience of the role.

Overcoming the barriers to volunteering

Chief Executive, Oonagh Aitken talks about barriers to volunteering and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that everyone has the chance to transform their lives and the lives of others through the power of volunteering.