1. The Demographic Opportunity: Volunteering in Older Age
VSSN Day Conference – 1st December 2010
Eddy Hogg
Northumbria University

2. An Ageing Population Defining older age is problematic
The population though is ageing
Society will change as a result

3. Critical Gerontology & The Lifecourse
Gerontolology can be limiting;
- biomedical model
- welfare model
Challenging these constructs
Reconceptualising the lifecourse

4. Pathways into Volunteering
Three broad groups;
Continuous
Serial
Trigger
(drawing on Davis Smith and Gay, 2005)
Older people value volunteering for very different reasons

5. Benefits to Organisations
Organisations value;
Commitment and longevity
Skills, but some tension here
Dedication to useful training
Organisations rely on older volunteers for a wide range of tasks

6. Why this matters…
Big Society and cuts; organisations facing huge demands
Ageing population yet focus on youth volunteering / social panacea
Diverse pathways into volunteering, need to emphasise this inclusivity

7. Thank you!