Voluntary work
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A large number of older people do voluntary work, whether ‘helping out’ with friends in their local community, or in a very organised way. Voluntary work is a very good way to meet people, and to ensure that you don’t become lonely and isolated. It may also help you to feel valued, as you can use some of the skills and experience you have built up through your life to help and support something which you believe in.
All of the Neighbourhood Network Schemes (local organizations which work with older people in Leeds) welcome volunteers. There are also thousands of other organisations in Leeds which use volunteers for a huge range of projects, including work with children or older people, in mental health, with disabled people, with animals, in global development or in environmental work.
If you do organised voluntary work you should always be offered any expenses, such as bus fares, you have to pay in order to do the work. Some organizations also pay for the cost of a meal while you are at work.