Volunteering is…….

• A vibrant expression of active citizenship and community employment.
• Undertaken by choice without concern for financial gain.
• Driven by it’s outcomes and impact.
• A means of adding value to the work of an organisation or group.
• Never a substitute for paid employment.
• Based in grass roots participation yet incorporates the business community and government.
• A unifying theme which creates cross-sectoral partnerships.
• A tool for the promotion of inclusion and part of the wider equality agenda.
• A dynamic force for change, which has positive effects on the volunteer, individuals, organisations and communities.
• A tool for empowering people and communities to fulfil their potential and contribute to social change.
• A mutually beneficial gift relationship, which meets the needs of both volunteer involving organisations and volunteers.

Volunteering has traditionally been service giving, mutual aid and self help, advocacy and campaigning, and community action. All forms of volunteer activity provide a network of social relationships that connect people to their communities. It is this connection that is vital to building democratic, healthy and self-sustaining communities. Volunteering is relevant to all spheres of life and volunteers are making a positive impact on the economic, social cultural and environmental issues of our time.

The Third Age Foundation has a long history of working with and for older people. We believe that it is important to encourage older people to make  a real difference to their own lives and the lives of others through their actions and participation in TAF. This is achieved through participation in a wide array of projects, programmes and events and through access to services, facilities and opportunities including volunteering. Here at the TAF we are constantly looking for inspiration and new ideas for innovative projects that will benefit our members and the wider community.

Our members provide many valuable services within our local community through their volunteering actions, namely on the Senior Help Line, weekly programme with St. Joseph’s Hospital in Trim, Knitting classes in our local primary school, the Failte Isteach project and through their intergenerational work. We value and recognise the contribution of our older volunteers and realise that many of our volunteering initiatives would not be possible without their hard work and efforts.