Ep # 115 - Retire with Impact: Discover the Power of Volunteering with Lois Tuffin
Joe sits down with Lois Tuffin from Volunteer Peterborough to explore the transformative benefits of volunteering for retirees. Lois shares inspiring stories of retirees who have found renewed purpose and fulfillment through volunteer roles in organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Elder Dog, and the Peterborough Folk Festival. Covering a range of opportunities—like meal delivery for seniors, assisting at local festivals, and even working with animal shelters—Lois highlights how retirees can combat loneliness, build community connections, and make a positive impact. Listeners are encouraged to visit Volunteer Peterborough or Volunteer Canada to discover local opportunities and make a difference in their retirement journey.
What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode
Wide Range of Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering offers a broad array of roles, from delivering meals to seniors and assisting at the Peterborough Folk Festival to working with Habitat for Humanity and Elder Dog, each aligning with unique skills and passions retirees may have.
Purpose and Fulfillment in Retirement: Volunteering helps retirees find renewed purpose, particularly for those who may feel adrift after leaving their careers. It's a way to stay productive, meet people, and connect with meaningful causes.
Community Impact and Social Connection: Volunteers play a crucial role in enhancing community services, supporting individuals who need help, and reducing loneliness, especially among isolated seniors.
Valuable Contribution of Volunteer Hours: The estimated value of an hour of volunteer work is around $32, underscoring how volunteers increase organizational capacity and often become advocates or donors, further supporting these causes.
Simple Steps to Start Volunteering: Lois encourages new volunteers to start small, such as committing just an hour, and recommends resources like Volunteer Peterborough and Volunteer Canada to find local opportunities and begin their journey.
Ideas Worth Sharing
- "Volunteering doesn’t look like the boring thing you might think—it’s full of fun opportunities!" – Lois Tuffin
- “Every person who gives an hour of time really contributes to how society is working." – Lois Tuffin
- "Human connections are so important, especially as people spend more time in virtual spaces." – Lois Tuffin
- "Volunteering can be a way to find that purpose that sometimes eludes people when they retire."– Joe Curry
- "Just take a small step—even an hour here and there—to see how volunteering can enrich your life." – Lois Tuffin
Resources
Ontario Volunteer Centre Network - A resource to find volunteer centers across
Volunteer Canada - A national resource for finding local volunteer centers and opportunities under the volunteer tab.
Volunteer Peterborough - A platform specifically for volunteer opportunities in Peterborough, Ontario.
Elder Dog - An organization helping seniors care for their pets, allowing them to stay connected to their animals.
Habitat for Humanity - Provides roles like the tool lending library, where retirees can volunteer in skilled roles to support local projects.
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Discover the Transformative Benefits of Volunteering in Retirement
Retirement marks a significant transition, offering newfound freedom and time for relaxation. Yet, for many, it can also bring a sense of restlessness or even a search for purpose. Volunteering in retirement has become an increasingly popular way for retirees to find fulfillment, create connections, and make a positive impact in their communities. In fact, the benefits of volunteering extend far beyond simply helping others; it’s an enriching path that can transform a retiree’s life. Here’s a look at why retirees are turning to volunteering and how it can enhance your retirement years.
1. Finding Purpose and Meaning in Retirement
For many individuals, work provides structure and purpose, and this sudden shift into retirement can feel disorienting. Volunteering offers retirees a new sense of purpose and an avenue to make meaningful contributions to causes they care about. Whether it’s lending a hand at a local charity, helping young students, or participating in environmental conservation projects, volunteering allows retirees to continue making a positive impact.
Example: Many retirees volunteer with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes and support families in need. For those who have spent their careers in skilled trades, volunteering allows them to apply these skills in a deeply rewarding context.
2. Improved Mental and Physical Health
Volunteering has been shown to improve both mental and physical health in retirement. Engaging in regular volunteer activities combats isolation, reduces stress, and promotes mental wellness. Many retirees report feeling happier and more connected, with studies indicating that volunteering can even reduce symptoms of depression.
Physically, volunteering also keeps retirees active. Depending on the type of activity, volunteering may involve moderate exercise, such as walking, gardening, or assisting at events, which promotes physical well-being. Even light activities like delivering meals to seniors can encourage regular movement and help maintain mobility.
Example: Organizations like Elder Dog connect volunteers with seniors who need assistance caring for their pets. These roles help retirees stay active while providing valuable companionship.
3. Building New Friendships and Social Connections
Retirement often means leaving behind a social network built through years of work, which can lead to feelings of loneliness. Volunteering is an excellent way for retirees to build new friendships and connections within the community. Many organizations provide a supportive and social environment where retirees meet others who share similar values and interests, leading to lasting friendships.
Example: Local volunteer centers, like Volunteer Peterborough, offer a range of volunteer opportunities and group-based projects where retirees can work alongside others and forge strong community bonds. This camaraderie helps replace some of the social interaction that is often missed after leaving the workforce.
4. Learning New Skills and Gaining Fresh Perspectives
Retirement is the perfect time to explore new hobbies, learn new skills, and expand personal horizons. Volunteering provides retirees with the chance to step outside their comfort zones and engage in activities they may never have considered before. Many retirees are surprised to find that volunteering not only allows them to use their expertise but also challenges them to learn new things.
Example: Some retirees volunteer at local art festivals or cultural events, where they assist with organizing or event management. Others take on roles in environmental conservation, learning about ecology and sustainable practices. This variety keeps retirement fresh, interesting, and intellectually stimulating.
5. Giving Back to the Community and Making a Lasting Impact
One of the most fulfilling aspects of volunteering in retirement is knowing that your efforts make a meaningful difference in your community. Retirees often have a unique opportunity to be “difference-makers” because of the time and flexibility that retirement offers. Even small volunteer commitments, such as delivering meals to isolated seniors, have a ripple effect, improving lives and strengthening communities.
For example, a volunteer hour is estimated to contribute around $32 in value to the organization being supported. This economic impact extends beyond the immediate task by helping organizations allocate resources toward further growth and outreach. Additionally, volunteers often become ambassadors and advocates, encouraging others to get involved and support these causes.
6. Practical Steps to Start Volunteering in Retirement
Starting to volunteer may feel overwhelming, but it’s easy to begin with small steps. Many retirees find that testing out different opportunities helps them find a role that’s a good fit for their lifestyle and interests. Local volunteer centers are excellent resources to explore options and connect with roles suited to retirees.
Resources to Consider:
Ontario Volunteer Centre Network (ovcn.ca) – Offers a network of volunteer opportunities across Ontario.
Volunteer Canada (volunteer.ca) – A nationwide platform to find local centers and community service roles.
Volunteer Peterborough (volunteerpeterborough.ca) – Specializes in opportunities in Peterborough, Ontario, and makes it easy to get involved.
Some retirees start by offering just an hour or two per week to get familiar with their chosen role. Gradually, many find that volunteering becomes a deeply rewarding part of their week, adding structure, purpose, and a strong sense of community engagement to their retirement.
The Joy of Giving Back in Retirement
For retirees, volunteering is not only a way to give back but also a pathway to finding greater joy and satisfaction. The health benefits, social connections, and renewed sense of purpose make volunteering an ideal way to enrich life in retirement. By choosing to spend time helping others, retirees experience the profound truth that giving back often brings the greatest rewards.
If you’re approaching retirement or are newly retired, consider exploring volunteer opportunities near you. Whether you’re interested in helping at a local food bank, mentoring young people, or caring for animals, there are countless ways to get involved. Volunteering is a journey, one that allows retirees to stay active, forge new friendships, and find fulfillment well into their golden years. Start your journey today and discover just how transformative volunteering can be.