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Islington Council

You may be looking for a change in direction for your final years of working. Many older people chose to help others by giving up some of their free time to volunteer.

You have a lifetime's worth of skills, knowledge and abilities that are of tremendous benefit to people in your local community. Whether you chose to work in a charity shop, or perhaps help out a local hospital, church or school, many organisations rely on the generosity of older people to keep their organisations afloat.

Our Changing Jobs and Starting a Business sections in Life Events have information that can help.


Voluntary Work

We also have a section on voluntary work, including a page that lists the various voluntary organisations in the borough.


Eyes for Islington

Eyes for Islington is a council initiative, getting people to help improve their local environment. They do this by reporting problems, such as abandoned vehicles, as soon as they happen.


Age Concern Islington

Age Concern Islington has a 50+ Volunteering Project. If you are interested in volunteering in your local community:

Email : admin@aclslington.org.uk
Tel: 0207 281 6018

Trans-Age Projects

Trans-age projects bring together older volunteers and children, to exchange skills, talents, life experiences, knowledge and friendship.

For more information on the project:

Email: admin@aclslington.org.uk
Tel: 020 7281 6018

For more information on where projects are based in and around Islington, see the Age Concern website.


Islington Health Walks

Do you enjoy walking and helping others improve their health?

Then volunteering as a walk leader could be the perfect voluntary job for you!

Islington Health Walks are run by Islington Council.

To find out more, contact Emma Charlton, Walking Co-ordinator, tel: 020 7527 2626 or email emma.charlton@islington.gov.uk or follow the link below.


The Dorcas Project

The Dorcas Project is an Islington-based befriending project for older people and disabled adults, covering the N1 area of Islington. The project co-ordinators are keen to recruit some mature volunteers over the age of 55.

The project currently has several volunteers in this age range. Many of these are retired people, and the oldest is 87!

If you are interested in donating your time, click the link below to view an information leaflet, or contact the project co-ordinator.

Email: dorcasbefriendingproject@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: 020 7226 1700

Information Sheet About the Dorcas Project (pdf - 14.32 kb)


    Working with Children

    If you are interested in working with children, see our page on this topic.


    Grandparents and Children of Prisoners

    For grandparents looking after children whose parents are in prison, Islington PCT and Islington Council have worked with a number of agencies to produce an advice leaflet.

    A Guide for Grandparents Bringing Up the Children of Prisoners (pdf - 83 KB)


      Useful Websites on Working and Volunteering

      Volunteers can do almost anything! From helping an elderly neighbour with their shopping, to providing legal advice for a local charity, volunteers make a vital contribution to all aspects of community life.

      The Volunteering England website offers a range of resources for anyone who works with or manages volunteers as well as to those who want to volunteer.


      New Deal 50-Plus

      New Deal 50-Plus was launched by the Prime Minister in April 2000. It is a national initiative to try and meet the needs of older people who are looking for practical help to find work.


      RSVP - Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme

      Community Service volunteers recruit older people through their Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP).

      Dig and decorate, plant and paint. Do you want to make a difference this weekend? CSV GO London (Community Service Volunteers) is a 40 year-old national volunteering organisation which creates opportunities for people to play an active part in the life of their community.

      GO London offers a year-round calendar of Saturday and Sunday volunteering opportunities, all over London - things to get your hands dirty and very different from whatever you do during the week. 


      The 'V' Word

      Value, Versatile, Vivacious, Volunteer!

      National volunteering charity TimeBank and VITA have launched a national campaign, The 'V' Word, which aims to challenge perceptions of ageing and to promote volunteering to people over 55.



      Page Last Updated: 05 November 2008